SOAKING FRUITS FOR CARIBBEAN RUM CAKE AKA BLACK CAKE /CHRISTMAS CAKE #rumcake #blackcake #fruitcake

Kenton & Habiba
1 Dec 202114:02

TLDRIn this video, the host shares a detailed tutorial on preparing soaked fruit for a holiday cake, emphasizing the use of airtight mason jars and a variety of fruits and nuts. She discusses the importance of using pitted prunes, mixed peel, maraschino cherries, raisins, currants, and the right比例 of pork wine and rum for optimal flavor. The process of layering the ingredients and soaking them for future use is highlighted, with a promise of sharing a full Caribbean rum cake recipe in a future video.

Takeaways

  • 🎄The tutorial is for preparing soaked fruit for various cakes, suitable for holidays and special occasions.
  • 🥫An airtight mason jar or glass container is needed for soaking the fruit, with half-gallon containers recommended.
  • 🛒Containers can be purchased from stores like Walmart or online platforms such as Amazon.
  • 🍇One pound of pitted prunes, two pounds of mixed peel, maraschino cherries, raisins, and currants (or sultanas) are among the ingredients.
  • 🍷Both pork wine (or red wine) and rum are used in the soaking liquid, with a preference for white rum in this recipe.
  • 🍒Cherries should be stemmed and checked for seeds before adding to the jar.
  • 🍋Mixed peel adds a traditional Caribbean touch but can be optional based on personal preference for texture.
  • 🥣The fruit is layered in the jar before adding the soaking liquid, which is a combination of wine and rum.
  • 🧂The ratio of wine to rum is 2:1, using more wine due to its lower cost and strength.
  • 🕒The fruit should ideally soak for months, enhancing the flavor, but if time is limited, weeks will suffice.
  • 🍰The soaked fruit can be used in various baked goods, not limited to just Caribbean or black cakes.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the video?

    -The purpose of the video is to provide a tutorial on how to soak fruit for making holiday cakes, specifically focusing on a variety of cakes like Christmas, birthday, anniversary, and even wedding cakes.

  • What type of container is recommended for soaking fruit?

    -An airtight mason jar or glass container, such as a half-gallon container, is recommended for soaking fruit. These containers are typically used for canning and can be purchased at stores like Walmart or online through Amazon.

  • How much prunes are needed for the recipe?

    -At least one pound of pitted prunes is needed for the recipe.

  • What does 'mixed peel' consist of?

    -Mixed peel usually consists of lemon and orange rind, as well as cherry and pineapple pieces.

  • How much maraschino cherries are required?

    -The exact amount is not specified in the script, but a large container of maraschino cherries is shown in the video, and only a portion of it is used in the recipe.

  • What is the recommended wine to rum ratio when soaking the fruit?

    -The recommended ratio is twice as much wine as rum, or a 2:1 ratio.

  • Why does the video creator prefer to cut open the prunes?

    -The creator prefers to cut open the prunes to ensure that there are no seeds or parts of the seed inside, as machines that pit the prunes are not always 100% accurate, and biting into a seed could be an unpleasant experience or even damage one's teeth.

  • How long should the fruit soak for optimal flavor?

    -The fruit should ideally soak for months to achieve the best flavor. If months are not possible, soaking for weeks will suffice.

  • What are some potential uses for the soaked fruit besides holiday cakes?

    -The soaked fruit can be used for various types of cakes, bread pudding, and even as a birthday cake or for anniversary celebrations.

  • What is the significance of the numbers on the mason jars?

    -The numbers on the mason jars indicate the volume of the container, which helps the creator determine how much of the fruit mixture is needed for a particular recipe, such as one batch of cake making.

  • Why does the video creator encourage viewers to save the video?

    -The creator encourages viewers to save the video because it contains valuable information and techniques that can be used not only for current holiday baking but also for future occasions, making it a useful resource to have on hand.

Outlines

00:00

🍰 Preparing for Fruit Soaking in Mason Jars

The paragraph begins with the host, Habiba, introducing the process of preparing fruit for a holiday cake, emphasizing the versatility of the fruit soaking method for various celebrations. She discusses the importance of selecting an airtight mason jar or glass container, with a focus on the practicality of the containers' size and markings. Habiba shares her personal preference for certain types of containers and where she sources them, such as Walmart and Amazon. She also touches on the longevity of the soaked fruit, highlighting its potential use throughout the year and the convenience of refilling the container as it empties.

05:02

🍒 Selecting and Preparing the Ingredients

In this section, Habiba delves into the specifics of the ingredients required for the fruit soaking process. She advises on the selection of prunes, ensuring they are pitted, and the acquisition of mixed peel, which typically includes lemon, orange rind, cherry, and pineapple pieces. Habiba also mentions the use of maraschino cherries, raisins, and currants, providing details on the quantities needed. She further discusses the choice of liqueur, emphasizing the use of pork wine or red wine, and the option of vegan red wine for those following a vegan diet. The paragraph concludes with a mention of rum, traditional to Jamaican cakes, and the preference for Rae and Nephew white rum.

10:04

🥄 Layering and Soaking the Fruit

Habiba begins this segment by detailing the process of layering the ingredients in the mason jar. She starts with maraschino cherries, removing the stems and ensuring no seeds remain. The paragraph highlights the importance of thorough inspection and preparation of the prunes, as well, to guarantee a seed-free experience. Habiba describes her method of alternating fruit layers and emphasizes the need to leave room for the liquid. She then explains her ratio of wine to rum, pouring the port wine and topping it with white rum, creating a rich and aromatic mixture. Habiba encourages viewers to make multiple batches if they bake frequently but assures that one container is essential, with the option to use the soaked fruit for various occasions, even beyond the holiday season.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Soaking Fruit

Soaking fruit refers to the process of immersing fruit in a liquid, such as wine or rum, for an extended period to enhance its flavor. In the context of the video, this technique is crucial for preparing fruit for a holiday cake, where the soaked fruit imparts a rich, flavorful taste to the cake. The script mentions soaking prunes, cherries, raisins, and mixed peel in port wine and rum, emphasizing the importance of layering the fruit and liquid for optimal flavor infusion.

💡Holiday Cake

A holiday cake is a special type of dessert that is prepared for festive occasions such as Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings. The video focuses on a particular kind of holiday cake known as a black cake or Caribbean cake, which is characterized by its use of soaked fruit and alcohol. The holiday cake in this context is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of celebration and tradition.

💡Mason Jar

A mason jar is a type of glass jar with a screw thread and a lid, commonly used for preserving food. In the video, mason jars are used as containers for soaking fruit due to their airtight seal, which is essential for the fermentation process. The jars are also appreciated for their durability and the convenience of the measurement markings on the side.

💡Prunes

Prunes are dried plums that have been pitted, or had their seeds removed. They are a key ingredient in the holiday cake recipe discussed in the video, where they are soaked in a mixture of port wine and rum to enhance their natural sweetness and add depth to the cake's flavor. The video emphasizes the importance of checking prunes for remaining seeds to ensure a pleasant eating experience.

💡Mixed Peel

Mixed peel is a combination of citrus and other fruit peels, often used in baking to add a tangy and aromatic flavor to desserts. In the video, mixed peel is included in the fruit mixture for the holiday cake, consisting of lemon and orange rind along with cherry and pineapple pieces. While traditional in Caribbean cakes, the script mentions that its inclusion is optional due to its firm texture.

💡Maraschino Cherries

Maraschino cherries are a type of cherry that has been preserved in a sugar syrup, often with added food coloring to enhance their bright red color. They are used in the holiday cake recipe as part of the soaked fruit mixture, providing a sweet and slightly tart flavor. The video emphasizes the importance of removing the stems and ensuring there are no seeds before adding them to the jar.

💡Raisins and Currants

Raisins and currants are dried grapes and a type of dried fruit that are used in baking to add natural sweetness and texture. In the video, they are part of the fruit mixture that is soaked in wine and rum for the holiday cake. The script differentiates between raisins and currants, noting that currants are darker and have a more intense flavor.

💡Liqueur and Wine

Liqueur and wine are alcoholic beverages that are used in cooking and baking to add flavor and moisture. In the context of the video, liqueur such as port wine and rum are combined with the soaked fruit to create a rich, flavorful base for the holiday cake. The script specifies the use of these alcohols, noting that the wine should be vegan or check for vegan-friendly options.

💡Cake Batter

Cake batter is the semi-liquid mixture of ingredients used to make a cake. In the video, the soaked fruit and its liquid are eventually incorporated into cake batter to create a holiday cake with a unique flavor profile. The script hints at the process of grinding the soaked fruit and adding it to the batter, which is a crucial step in the cake-making process.

💡Baking

Baking is a method of cooking that uses dry heat, typically in an oven, to transform dough or batter into baked goods such as cakes, bread, and pastries. In the video, baking is the process by which the holiday cake is made, with the script emphasizing the enjoyment and satisfaction derived from creating and sharing these desserts with friends and family.

💡Storage

Storage in the context of the video refers to the preservation of the soaked fruit mixture for future use in baking. The script emphasizes the importance of using airtight containers like mason jars for storing the fruit, which can be kept for months or even a year to allow the flavors to develop and intensify.

Highlights

The tutorial is about soaking fruit for a holiday cake, applicable for various occasions like Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings.

Using an airtight mason jar or glass container is crucial for the fruit soaking process.

The containers should have measurements marked, such as the half-gallon containers used in the video.

Prunes, mixed peel, maraschino cherries, raisins, and currants are the main fruit components needed for the cake.

Pork wine or red wine and rum are the liqueurs used for soaking the fruit, with a preference for white rum in the video.

The process of removing stems from cherries and ensuring no seeds are left is detailed for optimal texture and safety.

Prunes are pitted and checked for seeds to avoid any unpleasant surprises when eating the cake.

The fruit is layered in the jar, with cherries at the bottom, followed by raisins, mixed peel, and prunes.

The ratio of wine to rum used for soaking is 2:1, with wine being more abundant due to its lower cost and strength.

Soaking fruit can be done months in advance, with the soaked fruit being suitable for various desserts beyond the holiday season.

The soaked fruit is coarsely ground or blended before being added to cake batter.

A full recipe for a Caribbean rum cake will be shared in a future video.

The soaked fruit can also be used in bread pudding, as demonstrated in the video.

The video encourages viewers to save it for future reference, especially for those who enjoy baking.

Despite the alcohol content, the soaked fruit adds a unique flavor to the cake that doesn't cause discomfort for those who are not typically alcohol drinkers.

The video provides an alternative for those who cannot consume wine due to vegan preferences or other reasons.