FERMENTED FRUIT FRIENDSHIP CAKE

1 pudding mix (4 serving size, your choice of lemon, vanilla or pistachio flavor)

4 eggs

3/4 Cup oil

2 teaspoons orange extract

1 1/2 Cup fermented fruit starter (recipe follows)

1 Cup chopped nuts

1 Cup golden raisins 

Fermented fruit starter: 

20 ounces sliced peaches, chopped

7 1/2 Cup sugar, divided

1 package dry yeast

20 ounce can crushed pineapple

10 ounce jar maraschino cherries

30 ounces fruit cocktail 

Directions: 

Cake directions: 

Use cake mix without pudding. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine cake and pudding mixes, eggs, oil, and orange extract in a large bowl. 

Add fruits, nuts and raisins, mix thoroughly. 

Pour into greased, floured tube pan and bake one hour. 

Let cool 15 minutes before removing from the pan. 

Serves 12 to 16 servings. 

Fermented fruit starter directions: 

Do not drain fruit. 

Combine peaches and 2 1/2 Cup sugar and yeast in a 1 gallon glass or crockery jar with a loose fitting lid, stir to mix. 

Stir daily for 10 days. 

On the 10th day, add pineapple and 2 1/2 Cups sugar. 

Stir daily for another 10 days. 

Add cherries, fruit cocktail and remaining sugar and stir daily for 10 more days. 

Drain fruit, reserve juice for the next batch. 

Makes enough fruit for 4 cakes. 

To make more starter, use 1 1/2 Cups starter juice instead of yeast with peaches and sugar.