Sticky Rumtopf Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
• In a small bowl combine the dates and baking soda. Pour enough boiling water over the dates to just cover them.
• Cream 1/3 cup of butter with the white sugar until light. Beat in the eggs and mix well to combine.
• Add the flour and date mixture (including water) to the egg mixture and fold to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a tester comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and prepare the sauce.
• To Make Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan combine the brown sugar, 1/3 cup butter, and evaporated milk. Cook over medium heat and bring to boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the sauce over individual servings of warm cake.

Steps:

• You can build your Rumtopf in any food grade container-glass, ceramic, or even food-grade plastic will work. You can make miniature Rumtopfs in quart-sized jars but a bigger vessel, 2 to 3 gallons, allows you to use more fruit and create substantial layers that really show off their beauty. You can find specialized ceramic Rumtopf crocks that are decorated to reflect their purpose but I prefer to use a big glass jar-like a glass cookie jar-so that I can get a good look at my Rumtopf over the course of the harvest. Whatever container you use, scrub it well with hot, soapy water, rinse several times with boiling water, and rinse it out with a little of the rum and you are ready to start.
• Add your first fruit and sprinkle sugar on top in the proportion of 1 cup of sugar for every pound of fruit. Top with enough rum to cover by 1 inch. Keep layering as fruits come into season. You can use any of the fruits listed, and the more the better. Just be sure to layer with enough liquor to cover or your Rumtopf will ferment rather than infuse. If bubbles start to appear, add a little 151-proof rum (also known as overproof rum), which will halt fermentation.
• Allow to rest at least 4 to 6 weeks after the last fruit has been added.
• Use a ladle to dip down into the Rumtopf to draw up your first servings. The fruit is great served on ice cream or served with roast meats, but for adults only, as it will be drenched in rum. When the liquid level threatens to go lower than the fruit, you can strain the remaining liqueur, allow it to settle out, and then carefully decant it into bottles. Leftover fruit can be frozen until ready to use.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch pie plate.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside. Stir the eggs into the sugar until smooth. Add the flour mixture, and stir just until combined. Pour in the vanilla extract and butter; stir until well combined. Pour into prepared pie plate.
• Bake on the lower rack of the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the center has slightly set. Allow cake to cool for 1 hour in the pie plate. Serve warm, or refrigerate overnight and serve cold.