Jamaican Rum Cake. The best recipe I’ve tried! A dense yet moist cake infused with a rum & butter syrup that just takes the deliciousness to a whole other level. Utterly irresistible!!
Jamaican Rum Cake.
I’m going to start from the top with a confession. Spouse and I ate this entire cake over the course of several days.
You may think, so what, but that is quite an unusual occurrence in this house. Yes, we make plenty of delicious baked goodies as the hundreds of recipes here can attest.
This cake requires no frosting or glaze. It is perfect as is.
However, we almost never have more than one serving each of anything. We normally freeze the rest or more often, give them to friends and family.
That did not happen with this Jamaican Rum Cake. We found it utterly irresistible! Sliver by sliver, we whittled that cake down to the last deliciously moist crumb.
Jamaican Rum Cake photo of a single slice with title text added for Pinterest.
Rum as an ingredient.
Both Spouse and I have a pretty well established love of anything rum flavoured, although neither of us are actually rum drinkers. From our gorgeous homemade to our Rum Spice Glazed Pork Tenderloin, amongst many others, it truly is one of our favourite ingredients.
A number of years ago, we took the kids on a Western Caribbean cruise and one of the stops was Jamaica. It seemed every little shop we entered, was selling Jamaican Rum Cake.
Samples were often on hand and I partook in plenty of them. My favourite though was a sort of dense, moist bundt/pound cake that seemed to have the perfect amount of rum soaked in.
On returning home, I naturally tried to replicate that recipe with somewhat limited success. The attempts were all pretty good but not quite all that I wanted in a rum cake.
My attempts at Jamaican Rum Cake.
They were all delicious but lacked that perfect texture I enjoyed so much. Just a couple of weeks ago, I took up the torch again and decided to have another crack at it.
I did my research, looked at 100 different photos on Pinterest and read more than a dozen recipes. Many had a lot in common but several of them had one other thing in common, a rum & butter syrup to soak into the cake when baked.
Jamaican Rum Cake.
Now, I had been using straight rum to soak my attempts before which sometimes left the cake too soggy. I’d used a syrup previously as well, but the flavour I remembered wasn’t quite right.
The thing that made the difference in end turned out to be the inclusion of butter in the syrup. It added that missing flavour that I remembered so well. No doubt it helped keep the cake moist as well.
Many of the recipes I read were copies of the King Arthur Flour version, and some were slight variations. Most included a package of instant vanilla pudding mix in the batter.
Since those packages are mostly cornstarch and sugar, and since I don’t like using packaged mixes in my baking, I decided to use corn starch instead and up the amount of vanilla extract. It worked perfectly and gave that dense but soft texture I remembered.
The first stage of mixing should appear sandy in consistency.
Add in the milk
Mix until smooth.
Batter will be very smooth after adding the eggs and rum.
Pour batter into a greased and floured bundt pan.
The result
After baking and cooling, I had the patience to wait until the next day to cut into it. Many recipes I read gave that same advice and it turned out to be good advice indeed.
From the first bite, both Spouse and I fell instantly in love. It was so buttery, soft, moist and delicious! Perfection.
I don’t say it lightly, but this was one of the best cakes I ever baked in over three decades of baking. It really is that good!
Syrup for Jamaican Rum Cake beginning to boil.
Syrup for Jamaican Rum Cake after boiling for 7-8 minutes
Poke holes in cake with a skewer.
Spoon on the rum and butter syrup
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Yield: 16 servings
Jamaican Rum Cake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Jamaican Rum Cake. The best recipe I've tried! A dense yet moist cake infused with a rum & butter syrup that just takes the deliciousness to a whole other level. Utterly irresistible!!
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup soft butter
- 1/4 cup canola oil (or other vegetable oil)
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk (undiluted; straight from the can)
- 4 eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup rum ( I used amber rum)
For the rum & butter syrup
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup rum ( I used amber rum)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
To prepare the cake
- Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt pan or funnel pan.
- To the bowl of an electric mixer, add the flour, corn starch, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter and oil.
- Mix on low speed for just a couple of minutes until the butter and oil are well incorporated and the mixture is crumbly and sandy looking.
- Mix in the milk and then mix in the eggs one at a time. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl well after each egg is added.
- Finally, mix in the rum and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55-65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Completely cool the cake on a wire rack.
To prepare the rum and butter syrup
- Add the butter, water and sugar to you smallest saucepan.
- Bring to a slow boil and simmer for 7 or 8 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before adding in the rum and vanilla extract.
- The amount of rum you add to the syrup is completely up to you. I like it with the full 3/4 cup but you can use less if you want a less rummy cake.
To add the syrup to the cake.
- Place the cooled cake back in the bundt pan. This traps in any syrup that drips over the edges and then absorbs it into the cake.
- With a long skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cake, straight through to the bottom of the pan.
- Slowly spoon all of the rum and butter syrup, evenly over the surface of the cake.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and leave for several hours or overnight.
- This cake needs no frosting or glaze. It is perfect as it is. I think a frosting might make it a little too sweet.
- Store in an airtight plastic cake container at room temperature.
- This cake remains moist for days. The cake was just as good on day four as it was on day one. It didn't see a day five.
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
1
Amount Per ServingCalories 315Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 72mgSodium 260mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 0gSugar 23gProtein 4g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.
FAQs
How long does homemade rum cake last? ›
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. As a result of proper care and in excellent conditions, a rum cake can last up to 10 days. If you freeze it and store it correctly, the cake can last a couple of months.
Can you get drunk off Jamaican rum cake? ›It is possible to become intoxicated from consumption of an excessive amount of rum cake, and some rum cakes contain even more than five percent of certain grain alcohols, though some are made to consistently contain less than 0.5% alcohol.
What is the history of 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.
How long can you store Jamaican rum cake? ›You can store the baked Jamaican rum cake for up to two months if you 'feed' the cake with more rum like you would a Christmas cake.
What kind of rum is best for rum cake? ›What is the best rum for rum cake? Captain Morgan is dark rum and will bring a spicier, more complex flavor to your cake. Buy on Drizly! Angostura 5 years has flavors of toffee and caramel with hints of warm spices.
Does the alcohol cook out of rum cake? ›Does Rum Cake Contain Alcohol? Though there is rum in both the cake and sauce, a lot of it cooks off during the baking/heating process. That being said, the conventional saying that “all” of the alcohol cooks out during baking isn't completely true.
Can you leave rum cake out overnight? ›Storage: The rum cake can be stored, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Do you refrigerate Jamaican rum cake? ›Storage Information: You can store this cake in the fridge or at room temperature. I prefer to keep it on the counter in an air-tight container. Freezing Instructions: To freeze this Caribbean rum cake allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil.
Can kids get drunk off rum cake? ›The presence of rum remains as a flavour in the baked cake and this type of rum cake doesn't contain enough rum to get you intoxicated.
What is the oldest cake in the world? ›Linzer Torte is believed to be the oldest known cake in the world. According to Wikipedia, Linzer Torte is an Austrian cake with a lattice design on top of the pastry. The cake is named after the city of Linz in Austria.
What island is famous for rum cake? ›
Nassau & Paradise Island Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
The cakes are marinated in the famous Ole Nassau Rum, distilled in Nassau on New Providence Island, and they especially go great with ice cream.
The Caribbean islands is where the rum cake is believed to have been birthed. It is assumed to have originated in the 18th century with British colonists. When the Brits settled on foreign lands, they also brought along their recipes of fruit puddings and other desserts.
How long can a cake last without preservative? ›A standard cake in the fridge can last 2-4 days, and put in the freezer it can last for 2-4 months while remaining fresh. Cakes with fresh fruit can only be left out on the counter the same day it was served.
How long can an unpreserved cake last? ›Leaving the cake in hot/humid temperature speeds up yeast infection leading to sour taste. With a shelf life of 2-4 days max, your cake should remain intact if refrigerated well.
Should Jamaican black cake be refrigerated? ›Notes on Jamaican Black Cake
Some people soak their fruits in rum in addition to wine. I don't. You could also make your own burnt sugar for this recipe if you choose to do so. Store Black Cake at room temperature for a few days.
Bacardi Gold
The gold standard for sweet but dry white rum that works well in many applications including beverages and desserts such as baked goods, puddings, ice cream, and cakes. Bacardi Gold offers a very sweet, smooth rum that doesn't overpower the other flavors in your recipe.
An unopened bottle of rum doesn't go bad. Unopened rum can last for decades upon decades. But once the bottle is opened, rum goes pretty fast. Seaspirits Distillery, master rum distillers, recommend drinking a bottle of rum within 6 months of opening.
What are the 3 three main type of rum? ›- White Rum - Think Cocktails. Rum is made from sugar cane. ...
- Dark Rum - If It's Aged, Try It Neat. Most likely you are already aware that spirits tend to darken in color with age. ...
- Spiced Rum - Classic Cuba Libre.
Alcohol detection tests can measure alcohol in the blood for up to 6 hours, on the breath for 12 to 24 hours, urine for 12 to 24 hours (72 or more hours with more advanced detection methods), saliva for 12 to 24 hours, and hair for up to 90 days. The half-life of alcohol is between 4-5 hours.
Does baking destroy alcohol? ›The longer you cook, the more alcohol cooks out, but you have to cook food for about 3 hours to fully erase all traces of alcohol. A study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Data lab confirmed this and added that food baked or simmered in alcohol for 15 minutes still retains 40 percent of the alcohol.
What happens if you put alcohol in cake batter? ›
Baking with booze—such as bourbon, rum, port and vodka—can add additional flavor, texture and even change the consistency of many baked goods. Take pie dough for example, adding a splash of vodka produces a super flakey dough and develops less gluten in the dough than water. For tarts and shortbread dough—same thing!
What happens if you let cake batter sit overnight? ›The longer it sits at room temperature, the more it loses this quality. At first, the batter loses the beaten air; then, the chemical leavener decreases its activity. So it makes sense to refrigerate your batter if you don't plan to bake it right away.
Does refrigerating cake dry it out? ›Your perfectly moist cake, no matter how well wrapped, will start to dry out after a day in the fridge.
How long can cake sit at room temperature? ›Room Temperature Storage: Most birthday cakes can last a few days at room temperature, roughly around 3 days before the moisture evaporates. Keep your cake in a cake tin or an airtight container for best results.
What fruit is native to Jamaica? ›Jamaica's national fruit, the ackee is commonly used as the main ingredient in the island's traditional food dish, ackee and saltfish.
What can I use instead of Red Label wine for baking? ›Red Label Wine is a brand of fortified wine traditionally used but it may not be easy to find outside of Jamaica. A good substitute is ruby port wine such as Taylor's. The flavor is similar to Red Label Wine with a slightly sweeter flavor. Overproof rum is commonly used but any 80 proof white rum will also work.
Can I leave fresh cake out overnight? ›6. Rely on room temperature. You can leave out your covered cake overnight without even wrapping it, and it should be fine in the morning. For any amount of time longer than that, make sure to wrap it in something.
Can you drive after eating rum cake? ›While the amounts of alcohol in these foods, drinks, or medications are not enough to impair your driving, the alcohol content can be high enough to cause a test failure. These can include: Rum cake.
What alcohol is in rum cake? ›Rum Cakes are made by mixing these recipes: flour, baking soda, eggs, caramel glaze sauce, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and most importantly, Rum.
How do you add alcohol to a cake? ›While some recipes include the alcohol in the baking mix, if you want the real strength of booze in your baking, use it without cooking it: add alcohol some to simple syrup to soak the cake layers in or fold a little into frosting, whipped cream, or glaze for the final topping.
What is the number 1 cake in the world? ›
Diamond Gala Cake – $30 million
This cake is the most expensive cake on Cake Boss. Devorah Rose had requested the creator of the reality show to design a cake worth $30 million, and the traditional cake was made with jewels like rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.
Few places have a history soaked with Rum more than the Virgin Islands. BONES RUM is proudly bottled on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, as well as the United States, using a centuries-old recipe, small batch distilling and oak barrel aging.
What country is the birthplace of rum? ›home to the oldest distilled spirit in the world - rum. Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and Mount Gay distillery - founded in 1703 - is believed to produce the oldest rum found anywhere in the world.
What country is most known for rum? ›Jamaica is one of the most famous rum-producing countries in the world. In fact, during the early 1900s, there were nearly 150 distilleries on the island, while today, only a handful remain operating.
What is Elvis Presley's favorite cake? ›Legend has it that Elvis Presley's favorite cake was an ultra moist and flavorful pineapple and pecan cake that Elvis' grandmother used to make for him at his request whenever he came to visit.
Who makes the most realistic cakes in the world? ›One of these people is Tuba Geçkil. In 2020 the Turkish 'cake and sugar artist' went viral on the Internet for her hyper-realistic cake designs that ranged from busts of famous personalities to inanimate objects commonly found around the house, classic paintings, and animated characters.
What ingredient makes cake last longer? ›For the home baker extending shelf life by a few days can be achieved by adding glycerine or golden syrup to the cake batter. If you type in the search box 'lengthening the shelf life of cakes' and 'shelf life' you'll see some answers there. Other preservatives are Sorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate.
How do you preserve a cake for years? ›Completely cover the cake with plastic wrap, making sure to wrap airtight. Follow by wrapping with at least 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. The more protection you give the cake, the less chance of freezer taste or freezer burn. If desired, you can also place the cake in a storage container.
Does vinegar preserve cake? ›Surprisingly, vinegar can play a huge role in the rising and stabilizing of sweets like cakes and meringues.
Which cakes keep the longest? ›
Fruit cakes encased in marzipan and icing will last much longer. Avoid refrigerating cakes with sugarpaste, fondant or food colouring as colours can bleed. Cakes freeze very well for up to 4 months.
What cake has the longest shelf life? ›The Shelf Life of Cake
Let's start with the cake that has an unusually long shelf life: fruitcake! This is an excellent way to illustrate what makes a baked good last longer.
Using Old Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Chemical leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda are what give your cakes their rise and, like every ingredient in your pantry, they eventually go stale. These products have an effective life of about six months.
🥡 Storing. You can store the baked Jamaican rum cake for up to two months if you 'feed' the cake with more rum like you would a Christmas cake.
Is it better to put a cake in the fridge or leave it out? ›In brief, refrigerating a cake causes this process to occur significantly faster than at room temperature. So, don't refrigerate your cakes. This is also true of breads and any other baked goods—they all go stale faster in the fridge.
What is the best alcohol to soak fruit in for Christmas cake? ›Strong, flavourful spirits with a high ABV are ideal for feeding fruitcakes. You can use rum, brandy or whisky for spice, or if you like citrus flavours, try an orange liqueur. Cherry brandy and amaretto will also work well if you prefer these.
Is homemade cake still good after a week? ›In general, a cake will last anywhere from 2-7 days in the refrigerator, if kept well covered, depending on the type of frosting and filling.
How long does it take for a homemade cake to go bad? ›Typically, a cake will only stay fresh for up to three or four days before the moisture is drawn out and the texture becomes drier. A cake can last in a fridge for a little bit longer if it has been frosted as the frosting keeps the moisture in the sponge.
How long is homemade cake OK for? ›Kept in the fridge, cake with buttercream or ganache topping will last for 3-4 days. If the cake has custard, cream, cream cheese or fresh fruit it will last 1-2 days at most.
How do you preserve a cake with alcohol? ›Alcohol: Before baking, add booze to your cake and be sure of its longevity. Alcohol not only enhances the flavor of the cake but also help to keep it moist. Alcohol should be added in moderation. Too much and you will be left with a disaster of a cake.
Can I eat cake after 2 weeks in the fridge? ›
How long does store bought cake last in fridge? Store-bought cakes typically remain fresh for a week to 10 days, while homemade baked goods usually only last up to five days.
What makes cake go bad easily? ›Using Old Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Chemical leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda are what give your cakes their rise and, like every ingredient in your pantry, they eventually go stale. These products have an effective life of about six months.
The cause of spoilage is due to the activities of microorganisms liked mould, and maybe yeast in some cases. Generally, all that is done to increase the shelf life these food is reduce the activities of microorganisms. The amount of water present in the cake can determine how long it will last.
Can you get food poisoning from bad cake? ›Raw ingredients, like flour and eggs, in cake batter and dough can contain harmful germs that can make you sick.
How many years can a cake last? ›Pantry | Freezer | |
---|---|---|
Past Date | Past Date | |
Bakery Cake lasts for | 1-2 Days | 2-4 Months |
Cake with fresh fruit lasts for | -- | 2-4 Months |
Cake with whipped cream lasts for | -- | -- |
If you made a cake that won't be served for a few days, cover and refrigerate your cake. Lastly, if your cake includes a fresh fruit filling or topping, or has a frosting made with whipped cream or mascarpone, cover and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve, and refrigerate any leftovers as well.
How long can a cake last without refrigeration? ›Room Temperature Storage: Most birthday cakes can last a few days at room temperature, roughly around 3 days before the moisture evaporates. Keep your cake in a cake tin or an airtight container for best results.
What is the best alcohol to put in a cake? ›For example, rum and bourbon give off nutty and vanilla tasting notes that work well with pie filling, cake mix and cookie dough (much like a vanilla extract). Red wine, port and brandy, on the other hand, add a sweetness that pairs nicely with glazes, chocolate cake and gingerbread.
Which preservative is best for cakes? ›Sorbic Acid
The most common food preservative used in cake against molds, bacteria, fungi, and yeasts.