Baba au rhum, or “rum baba”, is a small yeast cake soaked in rum, sometimes served with whipped cream. It is typically made in individual molds, but sometimes can be found in a large cake form. It is often served as a dessert, but can also be a breakfast pastry. Rum babas are believed to have originated in Poland in the 16th century, and later became popular in France and Italy. The dish consists of a small yeast cake which is soaked in rum, and often served with whipped cream. It is typically made in individual molds, but sometimes can be found in a large cake form.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup rum
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
Method
- In a small saucepan, heat milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt over low heat until warm. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk mixture, egg, 1 tablespoon rum, vanilla, and 1 1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup rum. Lightly grease eight 3-inch muffin cups.
- Stir rum mixture into batter. Fill prepared muffin cups three-fourths full. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Bake babas for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
- In a small bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Serve babas with whipped cream.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many potential changes and improvements that could be made to this recipe. For example, you could use a different type of rum, or even no rum at all. You could also change the type of flour, or add in some spices. You could also serve it with a different type of cream, or no cream at all. Finally, you could bake it for a longer or shorter time, depending on your preferences.
What other food it works well with
This recipe would go well with a number of other dishes. For example, it would be a good dessert to serve after a meal. It would also be a good breakfast pastry, or a snack to have with coffee or tea. Additionally, it would go well with other rum-based drinks, such as a rum and coke.
Common Mistakes
Some common mistakes that are made with this recipe include using too much or too little rum, using the wrong type of rum, using the wrong type of flour, and not letting the dough rise long enough. Additionally, some people find that the babas are too dry, so they add additional rum or cream to the recipe. Others find that the babas are too moist, so they bake them for a longer time.
Nutritional Information
This recipe is high in carbohydrates, fat, and calories. It is also high in sugar. Additionally, it contains gluten.
Allergens
This recipe contains milk, eggs, wheat, and gluten.