Moist Rum Cake Recipe (2024)

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Moist Rum Cake Recipe (1)

Looking for a delicious moist rum cake recipe? This is an easy rum cake that is the best thing I have ever eaten. You have to try it to believe it.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe

There are many things that can be said about this rum cake recipe. Rum-soaked perfection. Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness! Possible the best thing I have ever eaten! These are just a few ways to describe this incredible rum cake.

This ultra-moist cake soaked in rum is guaranteed to have you dreaming of white sandy beaches even if you’re surrounded by two feet of snow! This cake is ridiculously boozy-as any good rum cake should be.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe (2)

I’ve always loved a good rum cake. In fact, I love it so much that we actually had a rum cake for our wedding cake. I’ve tried multiple times to recreate a “blog-worthy” bundt-style rum cake, and have never found a great recipe. That is, until now. You will love this recipe!

What’s the Secret to a Perfect Rum Cake?

This cake comes together in no time at all. The most important thing to remember while making this cake is to take your time pouring on the rum syrup. You want all of that boozy perfection to soak right into the cake and not pool on the bottom of the serving plate.

Pour it very slooooowly and don’t be shy when it comes to poking holes in the cake. Just when you think you’ve poked enough holes, poke a few more. Seriously, the more holes the better, as the rum syrup will seep right into the cake. I’m sure I poked at least 200 holes (if not more!) into this cake!The whole glazing process should take ten to fifteen minutes or so. Just be patient. You really want the glaze to sink into that cake.

I found this cake to taste best the next day as the flavors have melded and the rum syrup has had time to seep into the cake.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe (3)

What is the best rum for rum cake?

When making this rum cake you want a dark rum. This will give the best flavor for the cake. I highly recommend using Diplomático Rum. I have found that this is the best flavor.

If you want to use another type of rum make sure it is a rum that you enjoy the taste of. Because the flavors get concentrated in the cake, you do not want rum you wouldn’t drink.

Can I add a rum cake glaze?

If you want a glaze to put on this cake, you can easily make a rum cake glaze. Making glaze with powdered sugar, milk and a small bit of rum. Once the glaze has been made, drizzle it over the cake and enjoy it.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe (4)

Can I freeze this easy rum cake?

If you want to make this cake ahead of time or have more cake than you can eat before it goes stale, you can slice the cake and put it in the freezer. I like to slice the rum cake into slices and then wrap each one in plastic wrap and then put the slices in a freezer bag.

The cake will last about 3 months when wrapped well.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe (5)

Ingredients for rum cake recipe

  • walnuts or pecans
  • all-purpose flour
  • cornstarch
  • baking powder
  • kosher salt
  • eggs
  • whole milk
  • dark rum
  • vanilla extract
  • unsalted butter
  • granulated sugar
  • canola oil
  • instant vanilla pudding
  • water
  • light corn syrup
  • salt

How to make rum cake

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts around the bottom; set aside.

Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, rum, 1/2 cup canola oil, and vanilla extract.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture and the remaining 3 tablespoons of canola oil, and mix on medium-low speed until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and mix again on medium-low speed until combined. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down 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 toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

When the cake has about 10 minutes left to bake, start making the rum syrup. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it is melted, add the sugar, water, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the rum. Once it is mixed in, return it to medium heat for about 30 seconds.

When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour one-third of the rum syrup over the bottom of the cake. Pour slowly so it has time to seep into the cake. Using a fork or a skewer, poke holes all over the bottom of the cake. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Invert the cake onto a serving platter. Using a fork or a skewer, poke holes all over the cake (the top, sides, and around the inside). The holes ensure that the rum syrup seeps into the cake evenly. Very slowly pour the remaining rum syrup over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. You want to do this step very slowly so that the syrup seeps into the cake and doesn’t just pool on the bottom of the serving dish.

Allow the cake to cool to room temperature before serving. Leftovers can be kept, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe (6)

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Moist Rum Cake Recipe (7)

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Moist Rum Cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 -15 servings

Looking for a delicious moist rum cake recipe? This is an easy rum cake that is the best thing I have ever eaten. You have to try it to believe it.

Moist Rum Cake Recipe (8)

4.39 from 67 votes

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup cornstarch

  • 4 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 4 large eggs, room temperature

  • 3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature

  • 3/4 cup dark rum, recommended: [Diplomático Rum]

3/4 cup dark rum (recommended:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided

  • 1 3.4-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding

For the Rum Syrup:

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Instructions

  • Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts around the bottom; set aside.

  • Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.

  • In small bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, rum, 1/2 cup canola oil, and vanilla extract.

  • Using stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture and the remaining 3 tablespoons of canola oil, and mix on medium-low speed until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and mix again on medium-low speed until combined. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down 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 toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

  • When the cake has about 10 minutes left to bake, start making the rum syrup. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it is melted, add the sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the rum. Once it is mixed in, return it to medium heat for about 30 seconds.

  • When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour one-third of the rum syrup over the bottom of the cake. Pour slowly so it has time to seep into the cake. Using a fork or a skewer, poke holes all over the bottom of the cake. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

  • Invert the cake onto a serving platter. Using a fork or a skewer, poke holes all over the cake (the top, sides, and around the inside). The holes ensure that the rum syrup seeps into the cake evenly. Very slowly pour the remaining rum syrup over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. You want to do this step very slowly so that the syrup seeps into the cake and doesn't just pool on the bottom of the serving dish.

  • Allow the cake to cool to room temperature before serving. Leftovers can be kept, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

Source: adapted from Brown Eyed Baker, originally adapted from Always Order Dessert

Author: Laura

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July 20, 2020

  • American
  • Baking
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3 comments

  • Moist Rum Cake Recipe (16)

    • Kandy
    • Moist Rum Cake Recipe (17)

    I baked several rum cakes recently and this recipe is the absolute best. Moist and the crumb is tender. Thank you!

    • Reply
  • Moist Rum Cake Recipe (18)

    • Fernando Novelo
    • Moist Rum Cake Recipe (19)

    I tired this recipe the other day and it came out really good. It was soft, moist and light. Thanks for this recipe

    • Reply
  • Moist Rum Cake Recipe (20)

    • Angie
    • Moist Rum Cake Recipe (21)

    Very good cake! The quantity of sauce is a bit too much. I used about 2/3 of it.

    • Reply
Moist Rum Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes a cake mix more moist? ›

Add an Extra Egg

Most cake mixes call for two to three eggs. Just one more egg will add extra moisture, fat, and a little protein, which means the cake will be softer and less likely to overbake and dry out in the oven.

Why is my rum cake dry? ›

Cold temperatures may cause the cake to lose moisture, leading to dryness and potentially affecting the overall taste. Essentially, refrigeration-induced changes could alter the intended experience of indulging in a slice of our Hawaiian rum cake.

What makes a cake more moist water or milk? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water.

Which rum is best for cake? ›

Which rum is best for cake? You can use light or dark rum for this recipe. Dark rum tends to be more flavorful than milder light rum, and will add more complexity to the cake.

Does oil or butter make a cake more moist? ›

Why does oil give cake superior texture? Butter is 18% water, so when the batter is baked, some of its liquid evaporates. Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness.

What major ingredient in cake mixing adds moisture to the mixture? ›

Here are some simple tips to make your boxed cake mix cupcakes or cake taste more moist: Swap water for milk or buttermilk: Replace the water called for in the box mix with whole milk, buttermilk, or even sour cream. These ingredients add more fat and moisture to the batter, resulting in a richer and more tender cake.

Why is my cake not moist enough? ›

A dry cake is usually the result of one of the following pitfalls: using the wrong ingredients, making mistakes while measuring or mixing the batter, or baking the cake too long or at too high a temperature. Once you understand which common cake-baking blunders to avoid, you'll know how to bake a moist cake every time.

Should I refrigerate my rum cake? ›

Do I Refrigerate Rum Cake? Rum cake is a dessert that can be served cold or at room temperature with whipped cream and fresh fruit or by itself. Because of the rum in the cake, it can act as a preservative and can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature, not in direct light.

Why does my rum cake sink in the middle? ›

The sinking of your cake during cooling occurs due to various factors, such as excessive mixing of the batter, inadequate leavening agents, and oven temperature fluctuations. These issues can result in an uneven rise and subsequent collapse in the center of the cake as it cools down.

Does adding an extra egg make cake more moist? ›

Boxed cake mixes tend to be lighter in consistency, but if you're craving that thicker, moister, denser cake, then all you have to do is add an extra egg to your mix. The additional fat in the egg yolk helps create a more tender and moist cake that is full of flavor.

Should you beat eggs before adding to cake mix? ›

Martina says, “Late in the mixing stage, eggs will incorporate better if you lightly beat them before adding to the batter.

What liquid keeps cakes moist? ›

Simple syrup is a great all-purpose glaze for cakes and fruitcakes, adding moisture and a bit of sweetness. It's also a key element in certain mixed drinks.

What is a cake with rum called? ›

A rum cake or black cake is a type of dessert cake which contains rum. In most of the Caribbean, rum cakes are a traditional holiday season dessert, descended from the holiday puddings (such as figgy pudding).

What is a substitute for rum in rum cake? ›

No problem. Simply substitute an equal amount of red grape juice, cranberry juice or nonalcoholic wine. Rum – If you're preparing tropical desserts like our Banana Rum Cupcakes and Cuban Rum Cake but don't have rum, use rum extract or reach for the pineapple juice.

Can you substitute whiskey for rum in a rum cake? ›

Sure. You can add any alcohol you enjoy. But the flavor will be different, and you need to decide if whiskey will work with the rest of the cake. Rum tends to be found in cakes with tropical flavors, like pineapple, coconut, mango and the like.

How do you fix a cake that is too dry? ›

The 4 Best Ways to Fix a Dry Cake
  1. Brush the cake with a simple syrup glaze.
  2. Soak your cake in milk or cream.
  3. Add frosting.
  4. Fill your cake with mousse or jam.
May 14, 2023

How do I stop my cake from being dry? ›

Using an air-tight container is the best and easiest way to keep your cake from getting exposed to air. However, if you don't have one of those, you can wrap your cake in cling film, or if it's iced, place a large inverted bowl over it to trap the air.

Is there a way to add moisture to a dry cake? ›

Brush the cake with simple syrup.

One way to rescue a dry cake is to brush it with a simple syrup glaze. Simple syrup is made by boiling sugar and water together until the sugar has dissolved. It can be flavoured with extracts or fruit juice, and it can be used to add moisture and flavour to dry cakes.

How can I make my cake not dry? ›

  1. Follow recipe directions and measure ingredients carefully, especially leavening (usually baking powder and/or baking soda). ...
  2. Add an extra egg and reduce the other liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup. ...
  3. Don't overbake the cake. ...
  4. If your cake is dry after baking, you can use a simple syrup to moisten it.
May 13, 2023

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