Rum Cake

Make the rum cake

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Generously butter a 10- to -12- cup Bundt pan. Add a tablespoon or so of flour to the pan, tilt and tap the pan to completely coat the inside with flour. Turn the pan upside down over the sink and tap to remove any excess flour. [Editor’s Note: The more thoroughly you butter and flour the pan now, the easier it will be to remove the cake from the pan.]
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, rum, and vanilla extract.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, add the cake flour, both sugars, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Mix on low for 1 minute or until there are no longer clumps of brown sugar. Add the softened butter and mix on medium-low speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add the egg and rum mixture to the dry ingredients in 4 to 6 batches, mixing everything after each addition for at least 10 to 15 seconds before adding the next addition to ensure everything is well combined before adding more. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Continue this process until all of the egg-rum mixture is incorporated and the batter is smooth and no streaks remain.
5. Scrape the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake for 50 to 70 minutes. Use a toothpick to check for doneness. You want it to come out clean or with some dry crumbs clinging to it. If the toothpick has wet batter clinging to it, the cake’s not done. Let the cake cool completely in its pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Don't remove the cake from the pan yet.

Make the rum glaze

1. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the butter and water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and add the rum.
2. While the cake is still in the pan, use a toothpick or wooden skewer to poke holes all over the surface. Spoon half the glaze over the cake and let it soak into the cake.

To serve the rum cake

1. Once the glaze has soaked into the cake, remove the cake from the pan by placing the wire rack on top of the cake pan holding them tight together and then turning everything upside down. Remove the pan. Poke more holes in the top and sides of the cake with the toothpick or skewer. Using a pastry brush, brush the remaining glaze over the top and sides of the cake. Ideally, patience will prevail and you’ll be able to let the cake rest for about an hour before slicing and serving. Originally published May 18, 2017.