It wasn’t that many years ago that liqueur cakes were all the rage. They were on the shelves of upscale groceries and gourmet shops everywhere. They must have fallen out of favor because I hadn’t seen them in years…not until I was in Chicago in December and saw a fancy display of them in Pete’s Market. It reminded me how much we liked these boozy cakes and I put them on the menu for the holidays. They used to come in all sorts of flavors: Amaretto, Irish Whiskey, Grand Marnier, Bourbon, and more, but our favorite was always the rum cake. This is basically the recipe for Bacardi Rum Cake that I changed up a little bit… small loaves for gifts instead of the usual large bundt cake size. Smaller loaves soak up more of the buttery syrup that creates a sweet, crusty finish that is beyond good. Another favorite liqueur cake is the Harvey Wallbanger Cake, named after a popular cocktail in the 1970’s.
I know using cake mixes, or almost any canned or boxed ingredient, is frowned on by many, but I have no problems with a cake mix or can of cream soup from time to time. A few of my favorite recipes start with a box of cake mix and this cake is at the top of the list. It’s light and moist with a delicate flavor and texture that soaks up the rum syrup like a sponge. The syrup is very sticky when it’s poured over the cakes, but it dries quickly and forms a luscious nutty, boozy crust. Be sure to use all the syrup. That’s what makes the cake so darn good.
The recipe makes four 3″ x 5-1/2″ small loaf cakes. When they come out of the oven spoon several tablespoons of the hot syrup over the tops. Let cool for 15 minutes, remove from the pans and discard the parchment paper. Turn the cakes bottom side up and brush with the glaze on all sides until ALL the glaze is used. Let cool completely before serving.
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I’ve never been a believer in the worth of making New Year’s resolutions. It seems to me that one month, January, is spent making promises of new behaviors, and eleven months are spent feeling guilty for not keeping them. The resolutions are usually about going on some kind of diet or another and from my viewpoint that never works. Two years ago today I was at a time when I wasn’t feeling particularly well, I don’t know how much of that was physical and how much was mental, and decided I had to make some changes. I had nobody to blame but myself if I let this go on…and on. I hate walking but knew I desperately needed exercise so made a commitment to myself that I would start going to the local swimming pool at least four days a week for water aerobics. The first few weeks I tried everything I could think of to make excuses so I wouldn’t have to go, but I kept at it and now, two years later, I can honestly say it changed my life. I’ve made some wonderful friends at the pool, all my age, and realize that getting older is fun, and all of us share the same concerns about aging.
I have a simple resolution I’m making today, January 1, 2016. When I think about my life I’m not going to start any more sentences with the word “someday.” I’m in that time of “someday” and if something is important enough to dream about doing it I’m going to do it now. I have limitations to be sure, but there are some things I can make happen, and I’m going to concentrate on doing them. I guess this is what everybody calls a bucket list. In the meantime, I wish all my Facebook and blogging friends a very healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year. Here’s to a great year of blogging ahead!
- ½ cup Bacardi Gold Rum
- 1 cup slivered almonds, or nuts of your choice
- 1 18-1/2 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 1 3-1/2 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup cold water
- ½ cup Golden Rum
- ½ stick butter
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and line with parchment paper 4 3"x 5-1/2" loaf pans. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of the pans. In a large mixing bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, rum, oil and water. Beat on low till moistened and then on high speed for two minutes. Pour batter over nuts and bake for 25-30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.Spoon several tablespoons of glaze over the tops of the hot cakes. Cool 15 minutes, then invert onto a plate and brush the syrup on all sides of the cakes. Let cool completely.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in sugar, water and rum. Boil for 6-8 minutes till thick and syrupy. Brush on cakes while hot.
Happy New Year cathy!
Sounds like dreams do come true..you made the effort..and it worked! So happy for you!
Pretty little cakes..and I remember Harvey Wallbanger cakes;)
Happy New Year to you and yours. I’m with you about those resolutions. I’ve never really kept them. In fact I have spent more time feeling badly about them that doing any good with them. Funny you should mention the pool and limitations. I too have limitations. I am sixty-three years old now, and I move more slowly than I used to. I’ve been thinking of joining the Y. There is a very nice one here, and it is actually within walking distance of our home. Clearly there is no excuse for sitting home any longer. Thank you for that extra little push.
I sure do remember those boozy cakes. They were darn good. I have no problem with using a box or mix. If it tastes good and if it works , why not, I say. To those who raise their eyebrows or smirk and get snippy about using mixes I say – keep it to yourself. Rain on your own parade. Stay away from mine!
I look forward to lots of scrumptious posts from you in the coming months, and I hope you have a healthy and prosperous 2016. May all your dreams come true.
Adri recently posted..The CoffeeDog Coffee and Vanilla Liqueur Kit Christmas Giveaway is here!
Happy New Year, Cathy! You already have a terrific attitude—I know 2016 will bring good things your way!
P.S. Adding just a few key ingredients can make a box cake mix into a fabulous dessert—your rum cakes demonstrate this perfectly! They look amazing.
Thanks, Liz. It’s nice to have a few recipes that are quick and easy to prepare and are delicious too. And I always have the ingredients in the cupboard. Happy New Year!
Cathy Farley recently posted..Almond Rum Cake and Thoughts about New Year’s Resolutions
What came to my mind was the sherry cake. I remember gals talking about the Harvey Wallbanger cake but I never tasted it…. But sherry…yum. Given that I love almond and rum, your adorable little cakes would certainly disappear in an instant at my house!
Happy New Year, Cathy! I’m with you on not making resolutions, that I’m prone to break. Congrats on water aerobics. I absolutely love it. I used to go to evening classes, after work. I stopped doing it, and I do miss it. It is a fun way to exercise. You’re lucky to meet a nice group of women. At my place, people claim their “spot” in the big pool, and mostly socialized among themselves. They were barely moving their bodies, LOL! Anyway, this cake… I have a few cake mixes, too. The only reason I don’t used canned soups, is that I just don’t buy them! The color and gloss on these cakes are beautiful!
Cathy, this cake brings back memories from a long time ago. Love it. As a matter of fact, I am starting water aerobics tomorrow. It is time because the future is so uncertain. Good for you. Happy New Year and wishing you only the best,
Susan recently posted..Shrimp and Crab Bisque
Hi Susan – Happy New Year to you too. Good luck with the water aerobics class. I bet you are going to really enjoy it.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Almond Rum Cake and Thoughts about New Year’s Resolutions
Happy New Year Cathy! There is no time like the present to do what you want. I enjoyed your post ( I always do!) Now, you have me thinking what did happen to boozy cakes? Your boozy cake looks amazing.
I hope 2016 is everything you hope for and more.
Velva
those look beautiful and delicious.
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year to you as well, Ramona. Thank you for stopping by.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Almond Rum Cake and Thoughts about New Year’s Resolutions
Hi Cathy, Happy New Year to you. I received a few candies this year with alcohol inside and really enjoyed them, I bet these are delicious!
Almond is my favorite flavor, evens beats out chocolate.
Amy recently posted..Fig Envelopes
I remember making that Bacardi rum cake in a bundt pan and it is delicious. No reason to make excuses for it. Brava to you for following through on the swimming. I love to swim in the summer, but winter is a different story. Wet hair and going out in the cold is a combination I’m not fond of.