When I escaped to the Bahamas a few months back I was introduced to rum cake. Topped with walnuts, pineapple, or coconut, rum cake is the most delicious of desserts originally descended from holiday puddings, but can now be found every day of the week all throughout the Caribbean. And just like my beloved Sky Juice, rum cake was something I knew once State side I had to make my own. And make it my own I did. By sticking with the traditional golden walnut topping and using Wilton Brand’s gorgeous Belle Pan and their Bake Easy non stick baking spray (my go-to non stick spray) I was able to create a rum cake that looked as good as it tastes. And how adorable would these rum cakes be in the mini version?! Enjoy! truly, MKR
*Photography, Kathryn McCrary Photography
- 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 package of instant vanilla pudding
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup room temperature unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sunflower or vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- For the Cake...
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Grease a standard Bundt pan (if your bundt pan is larger than 10 cups you may need to double recipe). I find the best way to grease a bundt pan is with organic vegetable shortening and then spray with Wilton Bake Easy non stick spray.
- Cover the bottom of the pan with the chopped walnuts; set aside.
- In a medium/large bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, pudding, and salt; set aside.
- In an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the flour mixture and mix on medium-low speed for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, milk, rum, canola oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined, about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If you're using a larger bundt can increase the time and cover the bottom with tin foil half way through baking.
- Allow the cake to COMPLETELY cool before removing it from the pan. For removing shake the pan just a tad to loosen the sides. Place a cake plate on the bottom of the bundt pan and in one swift movement flip the cake right side up. Remove bundt pan gently.
- Pour the rum glaze over entire cake right before serving.
- For the Rum Glaze...
- In a saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup rum.
Wow this looks so good, and the pictures are beautiful!
Yum! I’m printing the recipe now! xoxo Sarah
You won’t be disappointed, I promise! xo
Thanks doll! xo
This looks amazing Mandy! I haven’t had rum cake before but this recipe makes me want to go bake my own!
Also, I can’t help but think what a mess it must have been to clean up all that yummy syrup off the table! hehe
Thanks doll, and it was a mess, but so worth it! xo
Great blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get comments from
other experienced people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Appreciate it!
This looks amazing! I’d love to make it for Christmas, but we don’t have ‘pudding mix’ here in Australia. Any ideas what I can use instead? Thanks