Rum cake facts for kids
A slice of rum cake
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| Type | Cake |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Region or state | Caribbean |
| Main ingredients | flour, rum, sugar, spices, eggs, and butter |
| Variations | Dried fruit, Candied fruit, almonds and walnuts |
A rum cake is a sweet dessert that contains rum. In many Caribbean countries, rum cakes are a popular treat, especially during the holiday season. These cakes are often a modern version of old holiday puddings, like figgy pudding.
Traditionally, rum cakes are made by soaking dried fruit in rum for several months. This gives the fruit a strong, rich flavor. The fruit is then added to a cake batter that includes sugar, which has been caramelized (cooked until it turns brown and sweet) by boiling it in water. This type of rum cake is also known as "black cake" because of its dark color. It is similar to a fruitcake but often has a lighter texture. Even though rum is used, most rum cakes sold in stores have very little alcohol left after baking. Some are made to have almost no alcohol at all.
Contents
Rum Cake Around the World
Rum cakes are enjoyed in different ways across the globe. Each region often has its own special recipe.
Caribbean Traditions
In most of the Caribbean, rum cakes are a very important part of the holiday season. Families often have their own secret recipes passed down through generations.
Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, people prepare the fruits for black cake by preserving them in cherry brandy and dark rum. This process can take a long time. Black cake is a traditional food for both Christmas and weddings in Trinidad and Tobago.
Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, rum cake is called Bizcocho de Ron. This cake is usually a sponge cake, which means it is light and airy. This type of cake is perfect for soaking up the rum. If fruit is added, it can be fresh or dried. Sometimes, raisins and sultanas are soaked in rum for a day or a night before being added to the cake. Bizcochos de Ron are often given as gifts during the holiday season.
United States
Rum cakes have been popular in the United States since at least the 1970s. Many people who travel to the Caribbean enjoy buying rum cakes there. However, more and more small companies in the U.S. are now making their own rum cakes. Some of these companies bake cakes to order. Others add the rum directly into the cake batter instead of just glazing it on top. Many of these bakers use special recipes that have been used for decades.
Ingredients and Preparation
The main ingredients for rum cake usually include flour, rum, sugar, spices, eggs, and butter. The process often starts by soaking dried fruits like plums and raisins in rum. This soaking can last for months to give the fruits a deep flavor.
A key part of making traditional rum cake is using a bittersweet caramel called "browning." This browning is made by boiling sugar until it turns dark and thick. It gives the cake its rich color and unique taste.
