In Poland and throughout Eastern Europe for Easter you bake traditional sponge cakes which are called Babka or Baba because their shape resembled the pleats of Grandmother’s (Baba’s) skirt. They look a lot like Bunt Cakes but are often filled with dried fruit, chocolate, cheese or rum. The rum version has been introduced by an exiled Polish King to the French Court and now is known as Baba Au Rum or Rum Baba. This Easter I decided to make my own version that would be a mixture of the Polish and Irish roots in this household. Behold the Baba Baileys or Bailey’s Baba (still working on the name). Of course you can use another liquor in lieu of Baileys like Kahula, Amaretto etc.
You will need: 5 eggs, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup of corn meal, 1/2 cup of all purpose flour, 1 cup of Baileys or another liquor of your choice, 1cup of vegetable oil, 1 tbs vanilla extract, 1 tbs of baking powder. Not pictured cooking spray.
Preheat oven to 350 deg. To the kitchen mixer add 5 large eggs
and 2 cups of powdered sugar, mix on medium, when incorporated (no lumps)
slowly add 1 cup of vegetable oil and
1 cup of Baileys.
With the mixer on add 1tbs pure vanilla extract.
In a bowl mix together corn meal, flour and baking powder.
add to the Baileys mix.
I used a big bunt cake pan but you can use mini ones and serve everyone their individual Babkas. Spray whatever you decide to use with a cooking spray or one of those “for baking” sprays. If you do not have one butter and flour the pan, that will keep the Baba from sticking.
Pour the mixture in. Don’t worry it is really liquidy not lumpy at all. More like a weak milkshake then an oatmeal.
Bake in a 350 deg oven for about 60 min or until the toothpick inserted comes out clean. I have decorated this one by mixing 2 tbs of lemon juice with a cup of powdered sugar which made the very light sugar glaze but you can certainly omit that or if you REALLY want to IMPRESS pour some melted chocolate over it… ohhh!!! This baba takes about 10 minutes to make provided you have a stand up mixer and tastes great.
