Baba Au Rhum

• In stand mixer bowl, add 1½ cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. In saucepan or microwave-safe dish, heat milk, water and butter to 120-130°F (butter does not need to melt). Add to flour mixture. Using a paddle attachment, blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Add eggs. Blend on low speed for 30 seconds, scrape down bowl. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, gradually add currants, almond extract, and remaining flour to make a batter; mix until just combined.

  (NOTE: For hand mixing: following above steps, mix ingredients in large mixing bowl using a wooden spoon or dough whisk.)
• Place batter in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise until doubled in size; about 45-60 minutes.
• Prepare pan: Generously grease 12-cup Bundt® pan.
• Stir down batter; pour into prepared pan. Let rise until doubled, about 45-60 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes for or until cake tester comes out clean . Cake will be golden brown. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes; invert onto serving plate.
• Make Rum-Lemon Syrup: Bring water to boil in small pot. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Boil for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in rum extract and lemon juice.
• Prick cake with fork while in pan, then invert, remove from pan, and prick again. Pour hot syrup over cake, a little at a time until syrup is absorbed.

Strawberries and Whipped Cream Filling (optional)

• After cake is done baking, invert onto a wire rack and cool completely. While cake is cooling, make syrup (above, but only use 2 cups water and 1 cup sugar, rum extract and lemon juice are the same amounts). With a spoon, gently pour about 1/3 cup syrup on top of the cake. Let the cake absorb the syrup before pouring another 1/3 cup.
• With a serrated knife, cut the cake in half (top half is about 1 inch thick). Remove the top slice. With a spoon pour 2/3 cup syrup over the bottom slice. Let the syrup soak in.
• In a clean bowl, add the heavy cream and whisk, on low to medium speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add the sugar and keep mixing until firm peaks form.
• With a spatula, spread the cream over the bottom slice. Place the strawberries on top of the cream. Gently, place the top cake slice over the strawberries. Pour the remaining syrup and let the cake soak for an hour or so.
• Slice carefully and enjoy!