Caribbean Rum Cake

By Bearbuddy45

If you've ever traveled to the Caribbean, chances are you've had the amazing rum cakes that the islands are famous for. Sadly, these cakes are not often found in northern latitudes but this recipe is the closest we've ever had to the "real" thing. Yes, there is a lot of rum in this cake, definitely not for the faint of heart but the texture and flavor are unbeatable. Moist, rich and deeply satisfying. Whisk yourself away to white sandy beaches with this incredible cake.

Ingredients

• RUM SOAKING LIQUID:
• 2 cups King Arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pastry cream filling mix or instant vanilla pudding mix, dry
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup white or golden rum
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon butter rum flavor (optional but excellent)
• 1/4 cup pecan flour, for dusting baking pan
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup white or golden rum
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325°F. Spritz a 10 to 12 cup bundt pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle on the pecan flour and turn the pan to coat evenly. Set aside.

Place all of the cake ingredients except the rum, vanilla and butter rum flavoring in the bowl of your stand mixer and blend on medium speed for 2 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the bowl after one minute.

Add the rum, vanilla and flavor if using to the batter and blend for another minute. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread level with a spatula.

Bake the cake for 50 to 55 minutes. You may smell the nut flour toasting at first, especially those not covered in cake batter. When done, the cake will test clean on a cake tester.

Bundt cakes are difficult to test properly with a short toothpick. Instead try a piece of dry uncooked spaghetti or linguine.

Leave the cake in the pan to cool slightly while you make the soaking syrup.

In a medium-sized saucepan combine the syrup ingredients, except vanilla. Bring to a rapid boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

Pour about 1/4 of the syrup over the cake (still in the pan). Allow the syrup to soak in, then repeat again and again until all the syrup is used.

Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and allow the cake to sit out overnight to cool completely and soak in the syrup. When ready to serve, loosen the edges of the cake and invert on to your serving plate.

Serve with hot coffee or tea. The cake is very moist, fragrant and potent.

Yield: one large or two small bundt cakes. Cake freezes very well.

NOTE: For a different taste, use coconut rum.