Homemade Rum Cake
This Homemade Rum Cake is made completely from scratch, incredibly buttery, soft, light, and packed with rum flavor. This cake is also topped with an easy rum glaze that keeps it moist for days!
Today’s rum cake recipe is one that’s been highly requested over the last few months. I can’t even tell you how many rum cakes I went through to get the winning recipe, but it was a lot! But the end result was completely worth it because this rum cake is incredibly delicious.
Unlike most rum cakes, this cake is made completely from scratch without the use of a box cake mix. This rum cake is also super soft, light, moist, and packed with rum. It’s also topped with a simple rum glaze that helps keep the cake moist and add even more rum flavor.
If you prefer a lighter rum flavor, I’ve included options for how to do that. I’ve even included a video tutorial to show you exactly how to make this homemade rum cake!
How To Make This Rum Cake
While this rum cake has several steps, it’s not too complicated. Here’s a breakdown of exactly how to make the cake:
- Cream together your butter and sugar: I suggest mixing the butter and sugar together for 4-5 minutes until it’s light in color and fluffy. This will incorporate more air into your cake batter which will give you a lighter crumb.
- Mix in the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla: It’s best to mix these in one at a time.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: For the dry ingredients, you’ll be using some cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Don’t have any cake flour on hand? You can use my homemade cake flour substitute.
- Whisk together the buttermilk and rum: The buttermilk keeps this cake moist and soft. If you don’t have any on hand you can use my homemade buttermilk substitute. I also prefer to use dark rum in this cake, but gold or spiced rum would be fine too!
- Alternate dry ingredients with the buttermilk rum mixture: You’ll alternate mixing the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with the buttermilk rum mixture. There is a lot of batter so this helps to ensure that you don’t overmix it.
- Spray a pan generously with nonstick cooking spray: Do not skimp on the cooking spray! I find this batter to be a little stickier than other cake batters. Make sure to use a nonstick cooking spray and spray the pan really well, getting every single nook and cranny. I also like to sprinkle a cup of chopped nuts into the pan before adding the batter. The nuts add a wonderful flavor and also help to keep the cake from sticking too.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-55 minutes
Once the cake is done baking, set it on a cooling rack to cool in the pan slightly while you prep the rum glaze. For the glaze, you’ll be using unsalted butter, granulated sugar, rum, water, and pure vanilla extract.
You’ll start by melting the butter in a large saucepan. It helps to slice the butter into smaller tablespoon-sized pieces so that it melts faster too. Next, you’ll stir in the sugar, rum, and water and bring it to a boil.
Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it simmer for another 6-8 minutes. Then, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Keep in mind that this is more like syrup so it will be very thin, it will thicken a little bit as it cools but not too much.
Then, use a skewer or a fork to poke holes in the cake and pour about one-third of the glaze over it. I suggest letting it sit for about 10 minutes so the glaze can firm up.
Once it’s ready, carefully flip the cake over onto a cooling rack and use a skewer or fork to poke more holes in the top of the cake. Then, spoon the remaining glaze directly over the top of the cake. I like to place a piece of foil or parchment paper under the cooling rack to catch any glaze and spoon it back over the cake.
Once the cake has cooled completely you can slice it up and enjoy it or store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve it.
FAQ’s
What’s the best type of rum to use?
I prefer the taste of this cake with dark rum, Myer’s Dark Rum was my personal favorite! However, gold or spiced rum would work just as well in this cake too.
Does this cake need to be refrigerated?
No, this cake can be stored at room temperature. You may store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
How can I adjust this cake for a lighter rum flavor?
For a lighter rum flavor, you can use gold rum. You may also use less rum glaze or simply cut the recipe for the glaze in half.
Baking Tips
- I’ve tested this cake with Myer’s Dark Rum and Bacardi Gold Rum, both worked great!
- Make sure to spray your bundt pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. The batter can be a bit sticky, so be sure to spray your pan very well. I find that butter and flouring the pan didn’t work as well, so be sure to stick with nonstick cooking spray.
- The chopped pecans or walnuts are completely optional. I prefer the taste of the cake with nuts and it also helps provide extra reassurance to keep your cake from sticking to the pan.
- I suggest cutting the butter for the glaze into smaller pieces, this will help it melt much faster.
Video Tutorial
Homemade Rum Cake
Ingredients
To make the rum cake:
- 1 cup (230 grams) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 and ¾ cups (305 grams) cake flour spooned & leveled
- 2 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) dark rum
- 1 cup (120 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans optional
To make the rum syrup:
- ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) dark rum
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the rum cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 4-5 minutes). Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in the egg yolk and pure vanilla extract, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate mixing bowl whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large measuring cup whisk together the buttermilk and rum. Set aside.
- Alternate mixing the dry ingredients with the buttermilk rum mixture into the wet ingredients in three additions, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
- Generously spray a 10-inch (12-cup) bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray, making sure to fully coat the entire pan. Sprinkle the chopped nuts into the pan and spread them around in an even layer. Scoop the batter into the prepared bundt pan over the chopped nuts and spread it around into one even layer.
- Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 40-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking time if needed to prevent excess browning.
- Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly in the pan while you prepare the glaze.
To make the rum glaze:
- Slice the butter into pieces and place it in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the sugar, rum, and water to the saucepan and stir until well combined.
- Bring to a rapid boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture begins to rapidly boil, reduce the heat to medium-low heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Use a skewer to poke holes in the cake, spoon about 1/3 of the glaze over the cake in the pan. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.
- Place some foil or parchment paper under the wire rack, then carefully invert the cake onto the wire rack and remove it from the pan. Use a skewer to poke holes on the top of the cake and then carefully spoon the rest of the glaze on top of the cake and around the sides.
- Allow the cake to cool completely, then serve, and enjoy!
This cake was very moist and tasty. For years, my family would make the classic Bacardi Rum Cake, but it was great to make a “from scratch” rum cake! I was disappointed, though, that I wasn’t able to make notes on Pinterest as I usually am with all of my pins. I always find that helpful when I go back to a recipe and see my own comments and revisions! For some reason, it was not allowing it on this recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the cake, Cathy! If you were unable to make notes on the pin, that would be due to something with Pinterest.
I really loved the recipe and it was a huge hit! However, I wasn’t able to taste the rum flavor. For a traditional rum cake are you supposed to taste the rum? Or how can I get more of a rum flavor? I felt like everything cooked and baked off.
Hi, Erin! Most of the alcohol is supposed to cook off while the cake is baking and when you cook the syrup. You can feel free to pour a few tablespoons of rum over the cake after you pour the syrup on top.
Could I substitute the buttermilk for whole milk?
That would be fine, but the buttermilk does help to keep the cake moist.
I have tried some of your other recipes and loved them. I want to try this recipe next. I tried a rum cake where they added vanilla pudding and it was extremely moist. Would I need tk make any adjustments if I wanted to try it with the pudding?
Hi, Ashley! I would probably reduce the cake flour down to 2 and 1/2 cups and just whisk the pudding mix in with the other dry ingredients. I hope that helps!
Can I use salted butter instead?
That would be fine. I would reduce the salt in the cake to 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon though.
Taste delicious even though it broke coming out of the pan !
This cake turned out great. Family and friends love it. Thanks for sharing this recipe, it will be a great crowd pleaser for sure!
Can I just stir in the nuts or does it have a special reason that is in on the bottom of the pan?
The nuts actually help prevent the top of the cake from sticking to the bundt pan and make it easier to remove it. You can omit them or stir them into the batter if you prefer though.
Hi Danielle, can I make this recipe in a regular 8 inch cake pan? Thank you!
It would be too much for one pan, but you could divide the batter between two 8-inch round pans.
This was the best rum cake ever. Making it from scratch was so much fun also. I made one tonight to take to the company Thanksgiving potluck. After the first one, everyone is so excited for the second. Thank you for this awesome recipe.
Hi there love this recipe! I’ve tried making it with regular sugar but was wondering whether you’ve tried baking it with brown sugar? Will it alter the texture/taste?
I haven’t, but I think it would be fine! It will just add more of a molasses flavor to the cake.
I made your rum cake and it is really good! My husband said it is a keeper. I did add the vanilla pudding and reduced the cake flour to 2 and 1/2 cups as you suggested to someone else. Thank you!
I made this cake twice for Christmas with my family. It’s moist ad the glaze is delicious!
I have made this several times. It comes out perfect, and everyone loves it.
Do you pour on the rum sauce over cake before you freeze, or after taken out of freezer and thawed?
You still want to pour it on the cake before you freeze it, it’s best to pour it on the cake while it’s warm.
i try to be a chef, but after baking this cake i am gaining confidence (smile)
This looks Delish! How long in the oven if I used a 6 cup baking cake mini bunt pan?
Hi, Erin! I’m honestly not sure. I’d keep an eye on it and test it with a toothpick to make sure it’s fully baked through.
This cake was delicious. Everyone loved it!!!
Can I substitute rum in place of orange juice?
If you’re wanting to make an orange bundt cake, I’d recommend following my lemon poppyseed cake recipe here and swap out the lemon juice and zest for orange juice and zest. You can just omit the poppy seeds as well.