Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Orange Glaze
A moist, warmly spiced cake infused with rich molasses rum and topped with a zesty orange glaze for an indulgent dessert. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup, packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup dark rum (molasses-based)
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch bundt pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: In a separate small bowl, combine 1/2 cup dark molasses-based rum, 1/4 cup molasses, and 1/2 cup buttermilk.
- Step 6: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and rum mixture to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing just until combined after each addition.
- Step 7: Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 8: While the cake cools, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp fresh orange juice, and 1 tsp orange zest to make the glaze.
- Step 9: Invert the cooled cake onto a serving plate and drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Orange Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Orange Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Orange Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Orange Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Orange Glaze?
Caribbean desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
