Bacardi Rum Cake Original Recipe - What A Girl Eats (2024)

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This Bacardi rum cake recipe is the original 1970s recipe from Bacardi’s rum. Made with a box of yellow cake mix, it’s literally a piece of cake to make! Whether you bake it for a holiday event or just a tasty treat, it’s sure to get rave reviews.

Bacardi Rum Cake Original Recipe - What A Girl Eats (1)

The “Secret” Ingredient in the Original Bacardi Rum Cake Recipe

Years ago, I went to a potluck dinner and someone brought a delicious rum cake. A guest asked the baker for the recipe and she said, “It’s a secret recipe from my aunt, so I can’t share it.”

Everyone was baffled that she wouldn’t share the recipe, and I decided to try my hand at making a Bacardi rum cake from scratch.

I experimented with about three different recipes, but none of them were quite right. Then my mom said she remembered Bacardi publishing a rum cake recipe in the ’70s.

With a little research, we found the original recipe for Bacardi Rum Cake recipe. This “secret recipe” is made from a box of yellow cake mix. The reason she probably didn’t want to share the recipe is that it is so easy!

A few years later, The Cake Mix Doctor was published with a similar recipe. I’ve used that recipe here.

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Making Rum Cake From Cake Mix

Here are the rum cake ingredients you’ll need:

For the cake:

  • 2 Tablespoons avocado oil (or vegetable oil), for greasing your bundt pan
  • 2 Tablespoons flour, for dusting the pan
  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped and divided
  • 1 box yellow cake mix, 18 1/2 oz package
  • 3 3/4 ounce instant vanilla pudding
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup avocado oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup dark rum

For the glaze:

  • 4 ounces butter
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark rum

Yes, I know, this isn’t a very “healthy” cake, but I substitute avocado oil instead of vegetable oil.

I slightly changed this recipe by dividing the nuts and putting 1/2 in the batter and 1/2 in the pan. Usually, nuts tend to fall off the cake if all of them are on top. Plus, I like the look and taste of them when they’re mixed in with the cake.

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The original recipe calls for pecans, but I like a combination of walnuts and pecans.

Do you have to make rum cake with cake mix? Absolutely not. If you’d like to make it from scratch, here’s a link to a homemade yellow cake mix recipe.

Finally, what’s the best rum for rum cake? I like to use Bacardi dark rum for the cake and the glaze, and you’ll need one cup.

Use a Bundt Pan To Make Rum Cake!

The original cake mix rum cake recipe is traditionally made in a bundt pan, but you could also use an angel food cake pan.

I’ve made it in really fancy bundt cake pans, but you have to make sure to really grease and flour every single crevice of the pan so it releases cleanly.

If you use a bundt pan like this one, be sure to adjust the baking time as it might cook quicker due to the design.

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Bacardi Rum Cake FAQs

Does bacardi rum cake need to be refrigerated?

No, rum cake does not need to be refrigerated. It can be stored at room temperature for 4-5 days. Be sure it’s tightly wrapped in plastic or in an air-tight container to maintain moistness.

It will stay fresh even longer if you refrigerate it. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Does alcohol stay in rum cake?

Most of the rum will cook out of the cake, but the alcohol in the glaze does remain. It’s generally not enough to affect you – unless maybe if you eat the whole cake at once by yourself!

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How long does rum cake last?

The cake will last for 4 days unrefrigerated, and up to a week if refrigerated.

I think this easy recipe for rum cake tastes better the second day as the rum glaze has a chance to really soak into the cake. Sometimes, I’ll also sprinkle a little extra rum on a slice just before serving.

I hope you enjoy this easy Bacardi rum cake with yellow cake mix! Looking for more cake recipes? If you like nuts, you’ll love this Coffee and Walnut Cake from Christina’s Cucina. Or this Chocolate Cake with Pecan Frosting.

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Bacardi Rum Cake

Cynthia

The original Bacardi Rum Cake recipe from The Cake Mix Doctor, By Ann Byrn.

4.95 from 58 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Resting time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 slices

Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 Tablespoons Vegetable oil for greasing your bundt pan
  • 2 Tablespoons flour for dusting the pan
  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts finely chopped and divided
  • 1 box yellow cake mix 18 1/2 oz package
  • 3 3/4 ounce instant vanilla pudding
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup dark rum

Glaze

  • 4 ounces butter
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark rum

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325*F. Brush or wipe bundt pan with oil making sure to get into all the crevices so that the cake will come out easily. Dust with flour and remove excess.

  • Sprinkle 1/2 cup nuts in the bottom of the pan and set aside.

  • Place the cake mix, pudding mix, remaining 1/2 cup nuts, rum, oil, water and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape down sides. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more. The batter should look thick and smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a rubber spatula.

  • Bake the cake until it is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed with your finger, 50-55 minutes.

  • Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Poke holes in the bottom of the cake with a long wooden skewer. Drizzle some of the glaze over the bottom of the cake and let it set for a few minutes. Run a long knife along the edges of the cake and invert on a serving plate. Poke holes all over the top of the cake with a wooden skewer and pour the remaining glaze over the top of the cake

Glaze

  • Place butter in a small saucepan and melt it over low heat, then add the water and sugar, stirring.

  • Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and let the glaze simmer until thickened, about 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum.

  • Spoon the glaze over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into the holes and drizzle down the sides and into the center of the cake. Allow cake to cool completely before slicing.

  • Store the cake covered in foil or plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

If using yellow cake mix with pudding already in the mix, omit instant pudding and use 3 eggs instead of 4 and 1/3 cup oil instead of 1/2

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 327mgPotassium: 134mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Bacardi Rum Cake Original Recipe - What A Girl Eats (2024)

FAQs

What do you eat with rum cake? ›

The bright, tropical flavors of fresh fruit are a brilliant match for a slice of rum cake. Serve skewers of fresh pineapple or mango alongside your drink. Or top the rum cake with a dollop of whipped cream and a few slices of pineapple or strawberry.

Can you get buzzed from rum cake? ›

An average rum cake has around 1/2 cup rum to bake the cake and eating two to three pieces of dry rum cake is too less to get you drunk. However, if you soak the cake in rum after baking and serve it after refrigeration, then eating too much cake can get you a little intoxicated.

What culture is rum cake? ›

Caribbean rum cake is thought to have originated with British colonists, who began settling on the islands during the 18th century, bringing with them recipes for steamed fruit puddings. Local chefs soon adapted these recipes incorporating local ingredients and liquors.

Is rum cake considered alcoholic? ›

Not if done correctly. The rum is cooked. The cake and the glaze both have rum in them however once cooked the alcohol is processed out. Only the flavor remains.

What snacks go best with rum? ›

What snacks to eat with rum. The best snacks to eat with rum usually have a nice toasty crunch to them or entertain a combination of elements like dried fruits, nuts, chocolate or cheese. Rum really loves the combination of sweet and savory with a hint of spice.

Will rum cake show up on a drug test? ›

Flavoring extracts, such as vanilla or almond extract, and liquid herbal extracts could result in a positive drug test for alcohol. Foods cooked with wine should be avoided, such as cherries jubilee, baked Alaska, rum cake, burgundy chicken, and flambé dishes.

Can kids have tortuga rum cake? ›

They contain less than half of 1% alcohol so appropriate for all ages and cultures. If you are feeling tipsy after enjoying our rum cake, you are simply high on our delicious taste of the islands.

Does rum make you a happy drunk? ›

If you're feeling wound up, and tired of your own worries, rum is the way to make that all go away. It will make you feel carefree, appearing nonchalant to everyone around you. Interestingly, rum is one of the oldest spirits in the world, originating in the Caribbean.

What is Elvis Presley cake? ›

An Elvis Presley cake is a single-layer classic yellow cake that's topped with a pineapple glaze. Much like a poke cake, the syrup and juices of the pineapple will seep into the cake through fork holes, resulting in a decadent, ultra-moist cake.

Why is rum cake black? ›

Traditionally, dried fruit is soaked in rum for months and then added to dough prepared with sugar which has been caramelized by boiling in water. The result, also known as "black cake", is similar to a fruitcake, with a lighter texture.

Do you refrigerate rum cake? ›

Rum cake is best stored at room temperature to maintain its flavor and texture. Refrigeration can cause dryness and alter its taste.

Can I have rum cake while pregnant? ›

You might want to eat just a small piece of yummy rum cake, but the expert advised pregnant women to “steer clear of rum cakes completely during the festive season.” According to Lakshmi, there is “no safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women, and so they should avoid it completely.” The expert also said ...

Which rum is best for cake? ›

It's one of the easiest and most delicious. 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.

Can toddler eat rum balls? ›

Keep them at room temperature or in a fridge or freezer. Can a toddler eat Rum Balls? How can I make them kid-friendly? Toddlers and kids shouldn't eat Rum Balls since they contain alcohol.

How do you eat Caribbean rum cake? ›

Remove the cake from the oven, and tip it onto the serving plate. Serve with hot coffee or tea. The cake is very moist, fragrant and potent. Wrap securely (or place under a cake cover) and store at room temperature for several days.

How do you feed a rum cake? ›

Take 30ml/2 tablespoons of whiskey, rum, or brandy (or apple juice/orange juice) and pour on the warm cake surface fresh from the oven. The cake is then allowed to go completely cold. It should be stripped of its baking paper, be carefully wrapped, and stored in a cold place for 2 weeks.

Should you refrigerate rum cake after baking? ›

Rum cake is best stored at room temperature to maintain its flavor and texture. Refrigeration can cause dryness and alter its taste.

Should rum cake be refrigerated? ›

Your cake will stay fresh for seven days without refrigeration. I recommend keeping it in an airtight container to keep it moist. It will last even longer if you keep it in the fridge or freeze it. Just let it come to room temperature before eating for the best flavor.

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