Rum Cake Recipe with Cake Mix – Perfect for Christmas

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Day 1 of 25 Days of Christmas.  There’s no doubt that the holidays are the perfect time to make a delicious homemade treat to share with friends or your family. This Rum Cake Recipe made with a cake mix, is not only loaded with sweet flavor, but it also has the perfect hint of rum. 

The best part is that you get to use a boxed cake mix, cutting down on the prep time and making the measurements a breeze. Get ready to have the hit of the holiday season at your next Christmas party or family gathering! 

I have been making this Rum Cake for my husband for years.  His late Aunt Winnie made it for him for many years, then I took over.  This is one of those recipes which gives a great aroma to your home while baking.  I love to have this baking when he gets home from work for a surprise.

Rum Cake Recipe – Perfect for Christmas

Don’t forget that making rum cake doesn’t mean that it has to be overly strong with a taste of rum. You can follow the recipe card below as it is written or change the amount of rum to your liking in the glaze.

This easy Christmas rum cake recipe is versatile and can be altered to what you’re craving. You can even turn it into rum cupcakes and see if you like this made as a handheld treat! 

Is brandy or rum better for Christmas cake?

You might see some cakes with alcohol made with brandy, but I tend to lean more towards using rum. This is because it has a bit milder flavor, and I think it pairs better with the sweetness of the cake. 

What happens to alcohol in rum cake?

A lot of people ask if you can taste rum in rum cake, and the answer is yes. Even if you use a smaller amount, there will still be a hint of rum.

This box rum cake recipe puts rum in the cake batter and also the glaze, so that is something to be aware of when making it. 

While there is a lot of the rum that will cook off during the baking process, it doesn’t get rid of the flavor, so it’s important to know that it will be noticeable when used in baking. 

What is a good topping for this old-fashioned Christmas rum cake recipe? 

I’ve included a glaze for you to use, but you could also use homemade frosting, a container of store-bought frosting, or even a dusting of powdered sugar instead. 

Serving it for Christmas, add a few sprigs of holly or cranberries on the side.  Even Rosemary can look like mini-Christmas Trees.

What is the best Rum to use for baking?

I like to use gold or dark rum.  I think it gives a little more flavor than the clear varieties.  But, use what you have or drink. 

Just a few ingredients are needed for this Rum Cake.

Rum Cake Recipe Ingredients

• 1 box (about 15.25 ounce) yellow cake mix
• 1 box (3.5 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup rum 
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Ingredients for Rum Cake Glaze:

• 1 1/2 sticks of butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup rum

How To Make Christmas Cake with Rum

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. Grease the bundt cake pan.
3. Put the pecans all over the bottom of the pan.
4. Add all the ingredients needed to make the cake into a mixing well and stir.
5. Pour the batter into the bundt pan over the top of the pecans.
6. Put the pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes – 1 hour. Check with a clean toothpick to see if it’s done baking.
7. Make the glaze by adding butter to a medium saucepan and melting it on the stove.
8. Stir in the sugar and the water.
9. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 4-5 minutes. Stir the whole time.
10. Take the pan off the heat and pour in the rum.
11. Once the cake is done baking, drizzle the glaze over 1/3 of the cake.
12. When you remove the cake from the oven, immediately drizzle 1/3 of the glaze onto the cake. 
13. Cool the cake for 10-15 minutes, then invert it onto a serving platter.
14. Poke the cake with a skewer all over and drizzle the remaining glaze on it.
15. Let the cake cool, then serve.

Tips & Tricks

If you don’t want to add the rum, leave it out. This can be a delicious holiday cake without rum recipe just as easy. This is a simple way to make it into a kid-friendly version for all ages to enjoy. 

There is an artificial rum flavoring many people use because they don’t want the alcohol, and it’s a lot cheaper.  But, as with many artificial flavorings, it does give a different taste. 

Your oven can run hotter than others so cooking times can vary. 

I love using pecans for this simple rum cake recipe, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Swap out the pecans for anything that you like and want to use – or leave them out completely.  I love using Black Walnuts when I have them.

Don’t add extra rum to the cake as it can affect how it bakes.  If you want more rum flavor, add it to the glaze.

Now who’s ready for a bite?????

 

Prefer the Taste of Whiskey 

Whiskey Walnut Cake

More Holiday Recipes

• Christmas Tree Brownies  
• Holiday Deviled Eggs
• Cranberry Moscow Mule
• Holiday Movie Snack Tray
• Red Velvet Brownie Bites – made to look like Santa Hats

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