A Sweet Guide To Haitian Wedding Cake Perfection

Haitian wedding cake, also known as Gateau Au Beurre, is a traditional Haitian dessert that is often served at weddings and graduation parties. It is a butter cake that typically includes dark, spiced rum, and citrus flavours like lime, lemon, or orange zest. The cake is usually served with light or no frosting and is baked in a Bundt pan.

The process of making a Haitian wedding cake is similar to that of making other cakes. The dry ingredients are combined, followed by the wet ingredients in a separate bowl, and then everything is mixed together until smooth. The batter is then poured into a greased pan and baked until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

The unique flavour of Haitian wedding cake comes from the use of Barbancourt rum, which is made in Haiti from sugarcane juice. This rum is considered one of the finest in the world and is a key ingredient in the cake.

Choosing your ingredients

Haitian wedding cake, also known as Gateau Au Beurre, is a labour of love. It is a rich, buttery dessert with a unique flavour profile. The following is a guide to choosing your ingredients for this special cake.

The first step to making a delicious Haitian wedding cake is to gather your ingredients. This cake is a traditional Haitian recipe, and certain ingredients are key to achieving an authentic flavour.

The star ingredient is dark rum, preferably Rhum Barbancourt, which is made in Haiti from sugar cane juice. This rum is one of the country's most famous exports and is considered one of the finest rums in the world. It gives the cake a unique flavour and a dense yet soft texture. If you are unable to source Barbancourt rum, other dark or spiced rums can be used, such as Mount Gay, Blackwell, Goslings, or Meyers. Alternatively, you can use alcohol-free rum extract, but use less than the amount of actual rum specified in the recipe (approximately 3/4 teaspoon).

The second distinctive ingredient in a traditional Haitian cake is citrus zest. Typically, this is lime zest, but lemon or orange zest can also be used to add a tropical twist to your cake. This ingredient is important as it gives the cake a subtle hint of citrus flavour.

Another important ingredient is evaporated milk, which adds moisture and flavour to the cake. It also helps the cake achieve a delightful golden colour once baked.

Additional flavourings can be added to enhance the overall taste of the cake. These include vanilla extract, almond extract, and nutmeg.

For the glaze or frosting, you will need guava jelly, which is native to Latin America and adds a unique flavour. If you are unable to find guava jelly, you can substitute it with strawberry or apricot jelly. For a more complex glaze, you can combine lemon juice, powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Finally, shredded coconut can be sprinkled on top of the cake for added texture and flavour.

It is important to note that all ingredients should be at room temperature before starting. This ensures that your batter is smooth and lump-free.

Now that you have chosen your ingredients, you are ready to begin baking your Haitian wedding cake!

Mixing the batter

To make the batter for a Haitian wedding cake, you will need:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 can of evaporated milk (12 oz.)
• 2 tablespoons of dark rum (preferably Barbancourt)
• 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of lime zest
• 1 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 sticks of butter at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 3 eggs
• A pinch of salt

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Next, in a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, eggs, butter, and lime zest. Mix these ingredients at low speed for about five minutes, until smooth.

Now, add the flour, milk, and rum to the bowl. Mix these ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed for another five minutes.

Finally, add the baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, and nutmeg to the bowl. Continue mixing at medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which should take about 15 to 25 minutes.

Your batter is now ready to be poured into a greased baking pan and baked in the oven!

Baking the cake

To bake a Haitian wedding cake, you'll first need to preheat your oven to 350°F.

In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, eggs, butter, and lime zest. Mix at low speed for 5 minutes until smooth. You can use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step.

Next, add the flour, milk, and rum. Mix at medium speed for another 5 minutes. Then, add the baking powder, sea salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, and nutmeg. Continue mixing at medium speed until the batter is creamy, which should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Grease a 12-cup Bundt pan with butter. Fill the pan halfway with the batter to allow room for the cake to rise.

Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. To check if the cake is done, insert a knife or toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Remove the cake from the oven and set it aside to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. While the cake is cooling, you can make a glaze by melting guava jelly in a saucepan and gradually adding water until you achieve the desired consistency.

Finally, remove the cake from the pan and brush the glaze over the top. Your Haitian wedding cake is now ready to be served!

Making the glaze

The glaze is a simple combination of guava jelly and water. Start by melting the guava jelly in a saucepan. Then, whisk in water a little at a time until the jelly is thinned out to a consistency that can be brushed or painted onto the cake. If you prefer a thinner glaze, simply add more water.

For a more complex glaze, try this: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Once your glaze is ready, remove the cake from the pan and brush the glaze over the top. If you want to prevent the top of the cake from crumbling, you can pour the glaze over the cake instead.

Serving suggestions

Haitian cake is a versatile treat that can be served at any time of day and for any celebration. It is often served plain with a cup of tea or decorated for a special occasion.

If you are serving the cake for breakfast, it goes well with a mug of strong coffee. For an afternoon snack, serve with a hot cup of tea. For a birthday party, dress the cake up with vanilla frosting and candles.

The cake can also be filled with pineapple or guava, or topped with a light and airy meringue frosting. If you are serving the cake in individual cupcake portions, you could add a simple glaze made from lemon juice, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and melted butter, and top with shredded coconut.

If you are serving the cake at a wedding, you may want to make a layered cake.

Frequently asked questions