Bacardi Rum Cake (video)
Popular since the 1970s for its taste and texture, this Bacardi rum cake is soft, fluffy, and supremely moist. It’s bursting with rum and yellow cake flavor, easy to prepare, and perfect for any special occasion.
I’ve been dreaming about rum cakes ever since I went on a cruise and had a taste of Tortuga Rum Cake for the first time. Having never heard of it before, I was amazed at how moist it was for a packaged cake, and how lovely the rum flavor was without being overpowering. I did some research and came across this recipe from The Bacardi Party Book circa 1973. The result is exactly the same as the cake I had from the cruise, and I don’t have to pay $30 for it.
How to make rum cake:
(Full instructions and quantities are in the recipe card further below)
This recipe starts with a cup of walnuts sprinkled over the bottom of a bundt pan. Then you mix a package of yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, eggs, water, oil, and half a cup of rum until combined. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for one hour. Once the cake is done, you prepare a simple butter-rum sauce made of butter, sugar, water, and rum. Brush the hot sauce all over the warm cake. Let it sit to soak in all that butter-rum goodness and serve.
The original recipe calls for brushing all of the rum sauce on the cake, but I like to only brush half of the sauce on the cake, and reserve the rest for drizzling over the cake when serving. This actual cake was used to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of my husband’s work friends. Everyone in his office loved the extra rum sauce on the side.
The taste of this cake is rich and buttery. It starts with a delightful rum flavor and finishes with a vanilla custard flavor. There is a little nuttiness and crunch from the walnuts. The texture is soft and fluffy, and it’s the moistest cake ever. Drizzle with a little extra sauce for even more sweet butter rum taste!
Other boozy treats you might like:
- Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
- Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes
- Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes
- Easy Eggless Tiramisu
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
Music in the video: Vacaciones by Mike Leite
Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.
Bacardi Rum Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12-16
Description
This famous Bacardi rum cake is super moist and bursting with rum and buttery-vanilla flavor.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup (125g) chopped walnuts
- 1 box yellow cake mix (like Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker brand)
- 1 package (3.75oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (125ml) water
- 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (125ml) Bacardi dark rum
Glaze
- 1/2 cup (114g) butter
- 1/4 cup (63ml) water
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (125ml) Bacardi dark rum
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Generously grease and flour a 10″ bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly over the bottom of the pan.
- Mix together the rest of the cake ingredients in a large bowl using an electric mixer until well combined. The batter might be lumpy, but that’s ok. Pour the batter into the pan evenly over the nuts.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes in the pan.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine butter, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Carefully and slowly whisk in the rum (it will bubble).
- Invert the cake onto a serving plate. Brush the hot glaze all over the warm cake. Repeat until all the glaze is used up, or reserve half of the glaze for serving. Let stand for 15 minutes to absorb.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored tightly covered at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Keywords: old-fashioned rum cake, Bacardi rum cake, Tortuga rum cake recipe
107 Comments on “Bacardi Rum Cake (video)”
Can you make into cupcaakes instead of bundt pan
You can and just mix the nuts into the batter. Enjoy and happy New Year!
How many cupcakes does it make? …thinking..when do you add the Rum mixture…I think I need help with this…I’ve this recipe 4 times now..❤️❤️❤️but I think it would be prefect for individual severings. ..do you add the Rum/butter mixture to them, when there in cupcake pans or ..after letting them cool.
Hi Marlene, it will make about 24 cupcakes and brush with rum sauce shortly after you take them out of the oven while they are still warm in the pan. Enjoy!
Can butter replace the oil
Yes, melted butter can replace the oil. Enjoy!
I made the rum cake and it was delicious. Thank you 😊
★★★★★
You’re very welcome, Debra, and thank you for your kind review!
Can light rum (that’s what I have on hand) be used rather than dark rum?
Yes, you can use light rum. Enjoy the cake and have a great weekend!
Can I use Pecan Pralines instead of walnuts? Looks really good, plan to make it this evening.
I’m not sure. I just worry about the sugar from the pralines sticking and possibly burning onto your bundt pan. Do you have regular pecans you can use instead?
Excellent!
★★★★★
Thank you! Happy to enjoyed the cake:)
I’ve made this cake countless times, it is a favorite among my friends & neighbors. I made one today to take to a cookout. I think I may have poured the rum in to the butter sauce too quickly, it didn’t mix snoothly. I continued to stir to get rid of the clumps, but when I poured the glaze over the cake there are little clumps of sugar all over. It doesn’t look so appealing, but I’m sure the taste won’t be affected. I tried to attach a photo, unsuccessful
★★★★★
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear the sauce was clumpy this time but I’m sure it will still taste great! You can email me the pic at lily@littlesweetbaker.com or tag me on social:)
Love this receipe
★★★★★
Thank you!
Yes I love love love this recipe. But I used coconut rum, and wow what a great flavor it gave . Thank you
LeeAnn
mmm…coconut rum. What a great idea and thank you for your kind words!
Great for special occasions. So moist. At my last party, everyone was asking for the recipe. It’s so easy to say
“google – Bacardi Rum Cake”.
★★★★★
I’ve been making this recipe for 50 years and it never fails to please my family and guests. Allow the glaze to cool before adding the rum or the alcohol will evaporate. I like to serve it with a dollop of whipped cream and a few fresh blueberries, a maraschino cherry or any other small bit of fruit to add a little colour and fresh taste. The original Bacaradi Rum recipe called for sugared green seedless grapes.
Nifty tip- pour about 2/3 of the syrup into the bundt pan and pop the cooled cake back in for a good soak- then pour the remaining syrup over the bottom of the cake. The cake unmolds just fine- no problem with sticking.
★★★★★
Hello!! To my dismay, I only have a 9 in Bundt cake pan. How can I adapt the cook time for this? Thank you in advance!!!
You can definitely use a 9″ bundt pan. Just don’t overfill it. It will probably take about the same time to bake, but start checking at 45 minutes just in case. Enjoy and happy holidays!
Follow the instructions and you can’t go wrong.this is a really moist,and good cake.now back to the kitchen
★★★★★
Thank you, Deborah! Enjoy the cake and happy holidays!
I’ve made this for every holiday Neal for over 35 years. Everyone still loves it!
★★★★★
Yes I make this EVERY YEAR! Always a crowd pleaser.
★★★★★
I’m so thrilled to hear, Desiree! Thank you and Merry Christmas!