We like a touch of rum for the holidays, and this orangey rum cake is decadent alone or with big swoops of whipped cream.

 

  • Total Time
    Prep: 35 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
  • Makes
    12 servings

Ingredients

    • 4 large eggs, room temperature, separated
    • 2-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
    • 3/4 cup orange juice
    • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
    • 3/4 cup rum
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, divided
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3/4 cup butter, melted
    • Optional: Whipped cream and finely chopped glazed pecans

Directions

  • Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. For sauce, in a saucepan, combine confectioners’ sugar, juice and 1/4 cup cubed butter; cook and stir over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in rum. Reserve 3/4 cup for serving.
  • Preheat oven to 375°. Grease and flour a 10-in. tube pan. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg together twice; set aside.
  • In a bowl, beat egg whites on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
  • In another bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1/4 cup remaining brown sugar and the vanilla, beating on high speed until thick. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter. Alternately fold in flour mixture and remaining whites. Fold in melted butter.
  • Transfer to prepared pan. Bake on lowest oven rack 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately poke holes in cake with a fork; slowly pour remaining sauce over cake, allowing sauce to absorb into cake. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Invert onto a serving plate. Serve with reserved sauce and, if desired, whipped cream and glazed pecans.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 371 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 233mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.