This classic Rum Cake is a moist, golden Bundt cake infused with dark rum and topped with a rich butter-rum glaze. Popularized in American kitchens in the 1960s and 1970s, this cake often graced holiday tables and family gatherings. The use of a boxed yellow cake mix and instant pudding makes it incredibly easy to prepare, while the rum glaze seeps into the cake, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s an elegant yet comforting dessert that’s perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any festive occasion.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup pecans (chopped )
- 3.4 oz Duncan Hines Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
- 1 box Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix (large)
- 3 eggs (large )
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup rum
Glaze:
- ¼ lb ½ cup butter (melted)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup rum
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Pan
- Grease and flour a Bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly on the bottom.
Step 2: Make Batter
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, water, and rum.
- Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed until smooth.
Step 3: Bake
- Pour batter over pecans in prepared pan.
- Bake in a preheated 325°F (163°C) oven for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Cool and Glaze
- Cool cake slightly, then invert onto a serving plate.
- Use a skewer to poke holes all over the cake.
Step 5: Make Glaze
- In a small saucepan, combine butter, water, and sugar.
- Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Add rum and stir well.
Step 6: Finish Cake
- Drizzle glaze slowly over top and sides of cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Serve warm for best flavor.
Tips
- Toast pecans lightly before adding to the pan to deepen flavor.
- Let the hot glaze soak in gradually; add in stages for extra-moist texture.
- Substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred.
- For stronger rum flavor, reserve a few tablespoons of glaze to brush on after the cake cools.
- Pierce cake thoroughly with a skewer so the glaze penetrates evenly.
- Use a light-colored Bundt pan to prevent excess browning.
- Ensure the pan is very well greased and floured to avoid sticking to the nut layer.
- For a milder version, use half rum and half water in the glaze.
- Add citrus zest (orange or lemon) to the batter for a fragrant twist.
- Freeze slices individually, well-wrapped, for longer storage.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 180IUCalcium: 50mgIron: 1.2mg
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