Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Vanilla and Citrus
A moist, tender rum cake infused with molasses and spiced with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, finished with a sweet vanilla and citrus glaze inspired by classic Caribbean rum profiles. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda 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
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup, packed dark brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup 10 Cane rum
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch bundt pan with butter and flour.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup packed dark brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Step 5: Mix in 1/4 cup molasses, 1/4 cup 10 Cane rum, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until combined.
- Step 6: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1/2 cup buttermilk to the wet ingredients in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix each addition just until incorporated.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top.
- Step 8: Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 9: While the cake cools for 15 minutes, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp fresh orange juice to make a glaze.
- Step 10: Invert the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle the citrus-vanilla glaze over the warm cake. Let cool completely before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Molasses-Spiced Rum Cake with Vanilla and Citrus 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 Vanilla and Citrus?
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 Vanilla and Citrus?
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 Vanilla and Citrus 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 Vanilla and Citrus?
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.
