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1
Put the cranberries and orange liqueur (or 1 cup warm water) into a small bowl and set aside.
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2
Brush 12 baba molds, a popover pan, or a muffin tin with melted butter and set aside.
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3
In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the water, yeast, sugar, and egg.
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4
Using the paddle attachment, stir in the flour until incorporated.
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5
Mix on medium speed for 6 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once.
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6
Add butter and mix on medium speed until incorporated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
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7
Cover and let rise in a warm spot for about 15 to 20 minutes, it just needs to rise a bit not double in volume.
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8
Drain the cranberries (reserve the soaking liquid) and mix into the dough with a spatula or wooden spoon.
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9
Fill the baba molds (or popover pan or muffin tin) half full with batter.
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10
Let rise in a warm spot until the dough fills the molds, about 1 hour.
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11
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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12
Bake the babas for 20 to 25 minutes or until the tops are a deep golden brown.
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13
Remove from molds, put babas onto a rack set over a sheet pan, and allow them to cool completely.
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14
Bring 2 cups sugar and 4 cups water to a boil.
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15
Boil for 1 minute and remove from the heat; stir in the reserved soaking liquid and the orange flower water.
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16
Using tongs or a spoon, place the babas, 1 at a time, into the sugar syrup.
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17
Hold them under until the air bubbles stop coming out of the cakes, about 5 to 10 seconds.
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18
Drain on the rack; you can recycle the syrup that accumulates in the sheet pan.
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19
Warm the marmalade and brush it onto the tops of the babas.
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20
To serve, split open and top with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream.
