Rumchata Cheesecake

[Hilary1220]

I found a great recipe for a rumchata cheesecake (delish.com). I am wondering what happens to alcohol when it is cooked in a cake, and how safe would it be for a child to have? Thanks.

 

[retired baker]

I found a great recipe for a rumchata cheesecake (delish.com). I am wondering what happens to alcohol when it is cooked in a cake, and how safe would it be for a child to have? Thanks.

It's very volatile, alcohol vaporizes off as it gets warm.

 

[Norcalbaker59]

I found a great recipe for a rumchata cheesecake (delish.com). I am wondering what happens to alcohol when it is cooked in a cake, and how safe would it be for a child to have? Thanks.

The assumption that alcohol is very volatile and it all burns off is not based in science.

The US Department of Agriculture conducted cooking tests using alcohol them measured the residual alcohol.

While water boils at 212°F (at sea level) alcohol boils at 173°F. So the burn off rate is determined by how long and the temperature the food is cooked. Below is some of the data collected from the government.

Preparation Method & Percent Retained

Alcohol added to boiling liquid & removed from heat: 85% retained

Alcohol flamed: 75% retained

No heat, stored overnight: 70% retained

Baked, 25 minutes, alcohol not stirred into mixture: 45%

Baked/simmered dishes with alcohol stirred into mixture:

• 15 minutes cooking time: 40%
• 30 minutes cooking time: 35%
• 1 hour cooking time: 25%
• 1.5 hours cooking time: 20%
• 2 hours cooking time: 10%
• 2.5 hours cooking time: 5%

I have a family member who is a recovery drinkthe As part of their sobriety they do not consume any products with alcohol including foods and baked goods. So I never serve any baked goods with alcohol to that person or the children in the family because the alcohol does not fully evaporate.

 

[Mona]

When alcohol is baked into something like a Rumchata cheesecake, most of it cooks off, but not all of it. Some alcohol can still be left behind, depending on how long and hot the cake is baked. It's probably a small amount, but if you're concerned about serving it to a child, you could try a non-alcoholic substitute or find a similar recipe without alcohol. Better safe than sorry!

 

[Jessie_Roos]

Hi there! Great question about cooking with alcohol. When you bake with alcohol, like in your rumchata cheesecake, some of the alcohol does evaporate, but not all of it. The amount that remains depends on the cooking time and temperature. In general, a significant portion of the alcohol is reduced, but it’s hard to eliminate it completely just by baking.

For a cheesecake, if it’s baked for a longer period at a moderate temperature, more alcohol will evaporate. However, there might still be traces left, so it might not be suitable for children or anyone avoiding alcohol.

If you're concerned about the alcohol content, you could try substituting the rumchata with a non-alcoholic vanilla or cinnamon extract to keep the flavor but make it child-friendly. Hope this helps and happy baking!

 

[Mona]

That's a great question! When you cook with alcohol, some of it evaporates due to the heat, but not all of it. The exact amount that remains can depend on how long the dish is baked. For example, if you bake a cake for a long time, like 30 minutes or more, a significant portion of the alcohol will likely cook off, but some residual alcohol may still be present.

In the case of a cheesecake, especially if it’s baked for a shorter time or not at all (like a no-bake version), there could be more alcohol left in the final product. For children, it’s generally best to err on the side of caution, especially with desserts that contain alcohol. If you’re concerned, you might consider substituting the RumChata with a non-alcoholic alternative or simply omitting it altogether to make a child-friendly version of the cheesecake. Enjoy your baking!