Haitian Weddings: Traditional Cake Choices And Customs

Haitian weddings often feature a traditional butter cake called Gateau au Beurre. This classic pound cake is made with a unique blend of rum, nutmeg, and lime zest, and is often decorated with a lemon juice glaze and sprinkled with coconut. The cake is usually baked in a Bundt pan, resulting in a dense yet soft texture due to the inclusion of rum and condensed milk. While various fillings and frostings can be used, a simple glaze made from lemon juice and sugar is traditionally used to cover the cake. This cake is not only popular at weddings but also at birthday parties and other special occasions in Haiti.

Haitian wedding cake recipes

Haitian weddings often feature a traditional cake called "Gateau au Beurre", or Haitian butter cake. This cake is a classic pound cake with a few additions that give it a unique flavour: rum, nutmeg, and lime zest. It also traditionally includes evaporated milk, which contributes to its moist texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)
• 2 tbsp Barbancourt dark rum
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 lime, zested
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 2 sticks of butter
• Pinch of salt

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, butter, and lime zest with an electric mixer on low speed for about five minutes.
• Stir in the rum, evaporated milk, and flour, and turn the mixer to medium-low.
• Add the salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract and mix well for about 25 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
• Grease two 8” baking pans and pour the batter into the pans, filling each only halfway to allow room for the cake to rise.
• Bake both pans together for about 35 minutes. To test if the cakes are done, insert a knife or toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cakes are fully baked.
• Allow the cakes to cool completely before icing and serving.

Icing:

Although Haitian cake is often served without icing, you can add a simple glaze made of sugar, butter, and lemon juice, or sprinkle the cake with sweetened, shredded coconut. Alternatively, you can use a cream cheese frosting with almond extract to intensify the cake's flavours.

Storage:

Once the cake has cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. However, as time passes, it will begin to dry out, so it's best eaten within the first couple of days.

Typical decorations for Haitian wedding cakes

Traditional Haitian wedding cakes are typically decorated with a simple glaze or frosting. The most common type of glaze is made from lemon juice and sugar, which is then topped with grated coconut. This glaze sets very quickly, so the coconut must be sprinkled on while the glaze is still wet. Another popular glaze is made from guava jelly, which can be brushed or poured over the cake.

For frosted cakes, a light and airy meringue frosting called suspiro is often used. Cream cheese frosting is also a popular choice, especially when paired with coconut frosting.

Haitian wedding cakes are typically decorated simply, with the focus being on the flavour of the cake rather than elaborate decorations. However, for more elaborate celebrations, the cakes may be decorated with flowers, fondant, or other embellishments.

The history of Haitian wedding cakes

Haitian wedding cakes are traditionally Gateau au Beurre, or butter cakes. This classic pound cake has a few special additions that give it a unique flavour: rum, nutmeg, and lime zest. It also traditionally includes evaporated milk, which contributes to its very moist texture.

The origins of the Gateau au Beurre probably lie in 18th-century pound cakes, which were popular in Northern Europe and France. These cakes, which rely on a 1:1:1:1 ratio of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, likely travelled with British and French colonists to Haiti in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The traditional Haitian butter cake is baked in a Bundt pan and covered with a typical icing made from lemon juice and sugar. There are also other topping recipes that contain powdered sugar. The cake is usually decorated with grated coconut.

The presence of rum is what sets the Haitian butter cake apart from other butter cakes. It contains dark rum, preferably Barbancourt rum, which gives it a unique flavour. Barbancourt is an agricultural rum that is very popular on the island of Haiti and is one of the country's best exports. It was created by Dupré Barbancourt, a merchant from Charente in France, who founded the Barbancourt Rum Company in 1862. The company is a family-run business, with the torch passed from father to son since Dupré Barbancourt's death.

The method of making Barbancourt rum is based on methods commonly used in 19th-century France. Dupré Barbancourt used the Charentaise method of double distillation, also used in the manufacture of cognac, and aged his handcrafted rum in Limousin oak barrels to refine and develop its aromas. Although there is a white Barbancourt rum, the distillery mainly produces brown rums from sugar cane.

Barbancourt Rum has won several awards and distinctions, with some reserves and special vintages winning between 3 and 5 stars. Special reserves are often set aside for the elite and connoisseurs and are produced in limited quantities.

In addition to the traditional butter cake, there are also variations of the cake that include different ingredients such as orange juice, pineapple, and guava.

The best rums for Haitian wedding cakes

Haitian wedding cakes are typically rum cakes, also known as "gateau au rhum" or "rhum cake." This traditional Haitian cake is a rich and moist delicacy that is often served during special occasions and holidays. While various types of rum can be used, here are some recommendations for the best rums to elevate your Haitian wedding cake:

Barbancourt Rum

Barbancourt Rum is produced in Haiti and is widely considered one of the world's finest rums. It is made from pure sugar cane purchased directly from Haitian farmers, using the same traditional methods since its founding in 1862. Barbancourt Rum is easily accessible as it is widely exported, and its unique flavour and complexity make it the perfect choice for an authentic Haitian wedding cake.

Haitian Rum (Dark Rum)

If you want to stick to the traditional Haitian rum, you can opt for a good quality Haitian dark rum. This will add a distinctive flavour and aroma to your cake. Haitian dark rum is a key ingredient in creating the beloved Haitian Rum Cake, so it is readily available and a great choice for your wedding cake.

Appleton Rum

While Barbancourt is the traditional choice, Appleton Rum is another excellent option for your Haitian wedding cake. It is a well-known rum variety that can add a unique twist to your cake while still maintaining the traditional rum flavour.

Diplomatico Rum

Diplomatico Rum is another recommended variety that can be used in Haitian rum cakes. It offers a different flavour profile that can bring a new dimension to your wedding cake while still complementing the other ingredients.

When choosing the rum for your Haitian wedding cake, it is essential to consider the availability, flavour, and authenticity of the rum. Barbancourt, Haitian dark rum, Appleton, and Diplomatico are all excellent choices that will pair well with the other ingredients in the cake, such as nutmeg, vanilla, and dried fruits. Remember, the rum is a key ingredient that gives the Haitian wedding cake its distinctive character, so choose a variety that suits your taste and elevates the overall flavour profile of the cake.

How to make a Haitian wedding cake

Haitian wedding cakes are typically a type of butter cake called "Gateau au Beurre". It is a classic pound cake with a few special additions that give it a unique flavour: rum, nutmeg, and lime zest. It also traditionally includes evaporated milk, which contributes to its very moist texture. Here is a recipe for a Haitian wedding cake:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp of baking powder
• 1 can of evaporated milk (12 oz.)
• 2 tbsp of Barbancourt dark rum
• 2 tbsp of vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 2 sticks of butter
• 1 lime, zested
• Pinch of salt

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, lime zest, and butter with an electric mixer on low speed for about five minutes.
• Add the flour, rum, and evaporated milk. Mix with the electric mixer on medium speed for five minutes.
• Add the nutmeg, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix for about 20 minutes, until the batter is smooth.
• Grease two 8” baking pans and pour the batter into the pans, filling each only halfway to allow room for the cake to rise.
• Bake both pans together for about 35 minutes. To test, insert a knife or toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, it is fully baked.
• Once the cakes are baked, you can add frosting. A traditional Haitian cake is often decorated with a light and airy merengue frosting called "suspiro". Alternatively, you can make a cream cheese frosting or a guava glaze.

To make a guava glaze:

Melt guava jelly in a saucepan and add water a little at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

Haitian wedding cakes are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed plain or decorated for a special occasion.

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