Reading about Cheer, which uses a starter, makes me long for Amish friendship bread, which also requires a friend gift you with a starter. I've had friendship bread at two separate times in my life, and both times had to give it all away when I moved.
The transcribed text of the "Cheer" instructions is below. (I'm a little upset that I can't find a good picture online to go with this. I guess I'm just going to have to make some myself and take my own pictures.)
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This delicious dessert originated in Kirbyville, Texas. It must be properly cared for and handled with respect. When start is given anyone, be sure they, in their turn, give a start to none but the worthy.
Cheer has many uses – spooned over ice cream or sherbert, over cakes and cookies, and dozens of other uses. It is an elegant dessert.
When kept in a large, clear apothecary jar, it is suggested it be out in plain sight at all times – even in the living-room, if desired, as it is a wonderful conversation piece. Almost everyone is interested.
Never – never refrigerate. Keep in a warmish place, even close to your oven or range top. And never – never put the lid on tight, AS INTERNAL PRESSURE MIGHT BE TOO MUCH FOR THE GLASS. Apothecary jars are suitable because the lids can lift off with the pressure.
Never let the contents get below 3 cups or fermentation will stop. Every two weeks add one cup of sugar and one cup of fruit in the order given below. Pineapple should be in bits or chunks, apricots or peaches cut up, and maraschino cherries cut in halves.
Do not add oftener than every two weeks, but you can delay a day or two without them. If you delay, change the following adding date a full two weeks. Use calendar below. Stir frequently so sugar will dissolve. Always drain fruit before adding.
When you share with a worthy friend by giving her a start, you must have at least 6 cups on hand, so you give her 3 cups and have 3 cups left for yourself. Division should be just before adding time, then each portion will receive its cup of sugar and cup of fruit.
Another one to start is: canned black cherries, purple plums, and red raspberries.
Hope you enjoy the CHEER and have fun with it too.
Cherries
Apricots or Peaches
Pineapples
3 comments:
My mother-in-law made this (she didn't call it Cheer -- there was another name which I can't quite recall) and passed it along to me about forty years ago. I kept it going for a while and it was pretty good -- but not good enough that I still do it. I think it was too sweet for my taste and the fruit was too mushy to be a favorite. But it's definitely a conversation piece.
Just remembered -- she called it Tutti Frutti.
That's great, Vicki! I found a recipe for the starter online - it doesn't seem to be more than brandy, sugar and fruit, and you let it sit in the fridge for 3 weeks. Can't really go wrong with that. I might try it sometime, just out of curiosity.
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