I normally don’t bake things I’m not willing to eat all by myself. (My reasoning: even if no one else likes it, I know it won’t go to waste). This cake is an exception, because I’m not a huge fan of boozy treats. But a coworker graciously shared this recipe after a holiday potluck, and I decided to make it for a family party. I have never seen my mom react to a dessert with such glee. Now, it’s become my go-to for special occasions—and of course, I leave behind all the leftovers.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup rum
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Brown sugar
Glaze
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup rum
Adjustments for the next bake: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, 2 tablespoons water, 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup rum (1/2 cup was slightly too strong)
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease and flour a bundt cake pan. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of brown sugar over the nuts.
Mix cake ingredients together. Pour batter into pan over nuts, smooth surface until even.
Bake for no more than 1 hour. Do not overbake.
When cake has 10 minutes left to bake, make the glaze.
Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn off flame and add rum. Stir to combine and reheat for 30 seconds.
Remove cake from oven. Immediately drizzle 1/3 of the glaze on the cake. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
Invert the cake onto a serving plate. Prick surface gently with a fork. Slowly drizzle remaining rum glaze over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
Cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
I am looking at reducing the amount of glaze in this recipe and will update the post if I determine a better amount.
I normally use Bacardi, but ran out in the middle of baking and switched to Malibu Coconut Caribbean rum. I’ve been told this is not a good substitute as it’s too sweet and does not pack the same “boozy” punch as regular rum.