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Rumtopf

Ready in 1 hr + waiting

Recipe by Graham 

Rumtopf, which literally means rum pot, is a German and Danish dessert, traditionally eaten around Christmas (though perfectly acceptable any time of year!). A mixture of various kinds of fruit, high-strength rum and sugar are placed a large stoneware pot in spring, and different kinds of ripe fruit are added to it over the months as they come in season, These are then "matured" for several months until the fruit is very soft and completely saturated with rum. The pot is left in a cool, dark place so that the rum and sugar don't cause fermentation. The fruit are thus preserved to be eaten in winter, when the Rumtopf is matured.

Preparation Time

1 Hour + waiting
A Top Choice Recipe for Simplicity

Ingredients for Rumtopf

If you are not familiar with any ingredients, please check our International Cooking Terms page.

Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements

To serve many:

1 lb fresh fruit from the list below
8 oz granulated sugar
  Good quality (unflavoured) dark rum

How to Cook Rumtopf

  1. Wash and dry the inside of the Rumtopf. Wash and dry the first chosen fruit and remove any stems, seed and pits (see the list below). Place the first fruit into a large bowl and add the sugar. Leave this for at least one hour to macerate (the fruits will release their own juices). Place the fruit and sugar (and juices) into the Rumtopf jar and add enough rum to cover the fruit by at least 1" (2.5cm).
  2. Cover the top of the Rumtopf jar with plastic cling-film to avoid evaporation and place the lid firmly on top. Store in a cool place away from heat and direct sunlight. (Like me, you can even store the Rumtopf in the refrigerator!)
  3. Every week or so, you can add an additional layer of fruit, following the same instructions as above until your Rumtopf is full. Always use half the weight of sugar to fruit. There is no rule about how long you should wait before adding each layer of fruit so, if all the fruit you want to use is available on the same day, you can fill up the Rumtopf jar with different layers all in one go.
  4. Then allow the jar to sit for at least 8 to 10 weeks (by all means feel free to "test" the fruit along the way - it's a chef's right!). Check periodically to make sure that fermentation is not taking place. If you see fermentation bubbles beginning to develop (or smell a certain 'yeastiness'), add rum that is 151º proof to suppress the fermentation, and be sure to keep the jar in a cool, dark place.
  5. Rumtopf is a versatile creature. You can serve it hot or cold (both fruits and syrup) over ice-cream, cake, flan, puddings, or cheese cake. Serve in an elegant dish topped with whipped cream or crème frâiche. Lay some of the warmed fruit onto a thin crêpe-like pancake and roll up the crêpe. You can even serve the strained liquid as a liquor or after-dinner cordial.
  6. IDEAL fruits are:
    Cherries (any variety, stemmed and pitted. I always cut mine in half)
    Apricots (quartered - or sliced - & stoned)
    Nectarines (quartered - or sliced - & stoned)
    Peaches (quartered - or sliced - & stoned)
    Pears (cored, peeled & sliced)
    Plums (remove stone and half or quarter)
    Grapes (sweet seedless red or green grapes are ideal. I always cut mine in half)
    Raspberries (don't wash).Raspberries, will lose some of their bright red colour.
    Red currants (removed from the stem)
    Strawberries (don't wash, just remove stem & leaves and cut bigger ones in half). Strawberries, too, will soften and lose their bright red colour as they soak up the rum.
     
    NOT recommended are:
    Apples (take on an odd texture)
    Bananas (too mushy)
    Blackberries (they can be bitter and can discolour the other fruits)
    Blueberries (they, too, can be bitter and can discolour the other fruits)
    Cantaloupe (will make the mixture watery)
    Citrus Fruits (too acidic)
    Gooseberries (too bitter)
    Rhubarb (can make mixture sour)
    Watermelon (will make the mixture watery)
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
Eagle-eyed readers will notice that some fruit floats. If you have a small plate or saucer that you can place on top of the fruit to help keep it submerged in rum, that's fine. If not, don't worry about it.