BOURBON-SOAKED BABAS WITH MARINATED FRUIT

Bourbon-Soaked Babas with Marinated Fruit image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups seasonal fruit, diced if necessary
2 tablespoons sugar, or more to taste
Dash pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1/4 cup bourbon
6 tablespoons warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup flour
Grated zest of 1 orange
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped, as an accompaniment

Steps:

To marinate the fruit: Combine the fruit, sugar, vanilla, mint, and cinnamon in a bowl and mix well. Let the fruit marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
To prepare the syrup: In a saucepan over high heat, combine the sugar, water, and bourbon, and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes, remove the pan from the heat, and set aside, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
To prepare the babas: In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer, combing the water, yeast, and sugar and mix just to combine. Let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg, flour, orange zest, and butter and mix until elastic but very soft. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume, 15 to 20 minutes. Punch the dough down. Spoon the dough into greased muffin tins, filling them one-third to one-half full. Let the dough rise again until doubled in volume, 20 to 30 minutes.
While the babas are rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the babas until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and place on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Prick the tops of the babas with a skewer or fork. Warm the syrup over medium heat. Ladle all of the warm syrup over the babas, letting it soak in.
To serve: Place the babas on individual plates. Distribute the fruit among the babas, and top with whipped cream. Serve warm.