Amish Friendship Cake

Day 1: Combine the following ingredients in a large glass jar, cover with a clean cloth, and store at room temperature:

2 cups plain white flour (not self-rising)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar

Day 2, 3, and 4: Stir the batter each day.

Day 5 Add the same ingredients as the first day.

Day 6, 7, 8, and 9: Stir the batter each day.

Day 10: Take out 3 cups of batter and give 1 cup to each of 3 friends with a copy of the following recipe. Use the remaining batter to make yourself a cake too, or add the Day 1 ingredients and start over.

1 cup friendship batter
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt.

Stir well. Then add 1 cup of any of the following:
Raisins, chocolate chips, chopped apple, chopped nuts, or crushed pineapple

Pour batter into a greased and floured 11x13-inch pan. Mix the following topping and spread on top of the batter:

1/4 cup margarine
1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon flour
1 cup brown sugar

Notes:
The batter that you start on day 1 must be kept at room temperature. It will get bubbly, but it should be discarded if any mold grows. It is a sourdough starter -- that is, it is a culture where wild yeast from the air can grow and multiply. This recipe was given to me with a cup of starter by my Mennonite neighbor, Kathryn Burkholder.