Brandied Fruit Starter for Friendship Cake

Directions

In a 1-gallon glass or crockery jar with loose fitting lid, combine sugar, peaches and yeast.

Stir daily for 10 days. DO NOT REFRIGERATE.

On the 10th day, add pineapple with juice, sugar and fruit cocktail with juice.

Stir daily for 10 days. On the 20th day, add sugar and cherries.

Stir daily until the 30th day.

On the 30th day, drain juice from fruit.

Reserve fruit to be used for cakes.

Store fruit and juice in glass jars in refrigerator until ready to use.

Keeps well.

In remaking starter, use 1½ cups of drained juice in the first step of the brandying process with 1½ cups sugar and 20-oz can peaches.

Do not use yeast.

The yeast is used only to start peaches and sugar fermenting the first time.