Alaina from Milwaukee, WI (2018 Week 1: Cakes)

Baker

Alaina

Location

Milwaukee, WI

Baking Challenge

Rum Baba Cake

Give your cake a name based on the ingredients and decoration – and tell us about the origin of your recipe.

Dark & Stormy Rum Baba Cake. I used the flavors of the alcoholic drink Dark and Stormy. Dark rum and lime. I basted my cake with a homemade syrup consisting of dark rum, lime juice, sugar and water. Once soaked in the rummy, limey goodness, I sliced off the top half and put whipped cream, lime zest and strawberries in the middle layer. Sandwiched it all back together then went on the eat a huge piece while I listened to the rain fall and the thunder roar. (There really was a storm happening while making this) Crazy, I know.

Tell us about your proudest moment – or humble failure – in this week’s baking challenge.

It’s always a proud moment when you see your dough has risen and doubled in size. YES!

Describe how you added a Wisconsin twist to your creation.

I drew inspiration from the amazing thunder storms we get here in Wisconsin. And since we are in peak storm season I thought it was perfect. A "dark and stormy" is an alcoholic drink consisting of dark rum, lime and ginger beer. I used those flavors in my cake. I also decided to add strawberries in the middle layer since its strawberry fest this weekend in the Milwaukee area.

How did you do?

Absolutely lovely.