Tropical Babas With Whipped Coconut Cream

Step 1

Place a medium bowl in freezer. Open can of coconut cream and chill in freezer until coconut cream is very cold but not frozen solid, about 30 minutes. (Alternatively, chill in the refrigerator overnight.)

Step 2

Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Butter 8 cups of a standard 12-cup muffin pan. Combine yeast, ¼ cup (25 g) granulated sugar, and ¼ cup lukewarm water in a medium bowl and let sit until foamy, 5–10 minutes.

Step 3

Whisk flour and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a large bowl. Add eggs to yeast mixture and whisk until incorporated, about 1 minute. Gradually stream into dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon until a thick and sticky dough forms. Add 4 Tbsp. butter and mix until combined and dough is smooth and elastic. Spoon about ¼-cupful (about 70 g) dough into each cup of prepared pan. Using wet fingers, lightly smooth top of each scoop of dough. Loosely cover pan with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until dough is nearly doubled in size (it should almost reach the top of the pan), 30–60 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, bring pineapple, rum, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep sauce warm.

Step 5

Remove plastic wrap from dough and bake babas until puffed and golden brown around the edges, 15–20 minutes. Transfer babas to a wire rack and let cool slightly.

Step 6

Uncover sauce (reheat if needed; you want it to be warm). Working with 2 or 3 babas at a time, add to sauce and turn to coat on all sides. Transfer babas back to wire rack.

Step 7

Take coconut cream out of the freezer. Carefully scoop just the cream into chilled bowl, leaving the watery liquid at the bottom of the can behind. Add remaining 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar and vigorously whisk coconut cream until no lumps remain and soft peaks form.

Step 8

To serve, tear a baba in half and place on a small plate. Spoon more sauce over insides of cake (you want to really soak it), then top with a big dollop of whipped coconut cream. Garnish with cherries.Do ahead: Babas can be baked 1 day ahead; store airtight at room temperature. Sauce can be made 3 days ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill. Reheat before soaking babas. Coconut cream can be whipped 8 hours ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill.