Baba Au Cherry Rhum - The Local Palate

Ingredients

• 1 cup sour cherries, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons cherry-infused rum
• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 3⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• Cherry rhum soaking sauce (recipe follows)
• 1 cup plum cherry preserves (optional, recipe follows)
• Whipped cream (see below)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup cherry-infused rum
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup cherry plum preserves
• Reserved rum from soaking cherries after draining
• 4 tablespoons of water
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar