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Baba au rhum

Using rhum agricole, made from freshly squeezed cane juice instead of molasses, adds more spice to this classic dessert.
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6
50M
20M
1H 10M

“This is a real adults’ indulgence thanks to the rum,” says James Hird. “We use rhum agricole, which is made from freshly squeezed cane juice instead of molasses – it’s got a lot more spice and is less sugary. Look out for it in good liquor shops and online.”

Ingredients

Spiced syrup
Baked rhubarb

Method

Main

1.Warm milk in a saucepan over medium heat to 38C, then combine half with yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk to dissolve yeast.
2.Attach dough hook and add flour and sugar to yeast mixture then mix on medium setting until combined (2-3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time until incorporated and dough is smooth, then add butter a little at a time until dough is smooth and elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Incorporate remaining milk and rum-soaked raisins. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until doubled in size (1-1½ hours).
3.Preheat oven to 210C. Knock back dough, then half-fill six 170ml-capacity buttered round stainless-steel moulds (6.5cm diameter x 6cm high) with dough (70gm each), flatten with the back of a teaspoon and smooth with a damp finger. Cover with a tea towel and prove until doubled in size (30 minutes). Bake until puffed and golden around the sides (15-20 minutes).
4.Meanwhile, for spiced syrup, combine sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, zested rind, spices and 500ml water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, stir to dissolve and add rum to taste.
5.Turn hot babas out of moulds and place in warm syrup in batches to soak until they have absorbed syrup to the core, turning to coat (3-4 minutes). Place on a rack to drain excess syrup and cool (30 minutes). The babas can also be cooled then frozen for later use; simply defrost in the fridge overnight and warm in a low oven.
6.Meanwhile, for baked rhubarb, reduce oven to 175C. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and allow to steep for an hour to release some of the juice from the rhubarb. Pour the fruit and juice into a non-reactive baking dish, spread out evenly and bake, covered with foil until just cooked (15-20 minutes). Set aside to cool.
7.Warm marmalade and 1 tsp water in a small saucepan over low heat, add sultanas and their rum, then brush over babas and serve with vanilla cream or crème fraîche, seasonal berries, cherries, or fruits and baked rhubarb.

Drink Suggestion: Laurent Cazottes Goutte de Mauzac Rose Eau de Vie.

Notes

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