slightly adapted from The Hobo Kitchen
Yield: 12 servings
Preheat oven: 325° F.
Cake Ingredients
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 15 oz. box yellow cake mix
1 3 3/4 oz box vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup Bacardi Dark Rum (or any dark rum)
Glaze Ingredients
1/4 lb. butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Bacardi Dark Rum (or any other dark rum)
Powdered sugar to dust the cake (optional)
Make the Cake
Preheat the oven to 325° F.
Prepare the bundt pan: Thoroughly grease a standard-sized bundt pan with butter. (It was suggested that cooking spray also be applied. I did not.) Dust the inside with about 1 teaspoon flour. Shake to distribute evenly.
Sprinkle the nuts on the bottom of the pan.
Mix the remaining ingredients in a mixer bowl. Beat on medium until everything is incorporated.
Gently pour the batter into the bundt pan trying not to disturb the layer of nuts.
Bake 45-55 minutes.
Make the Glaze
When the cake is almost finished baking make the glaze.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
Stir in the water and the granulated sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, for five minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the rum. The mixture will spatter and froth up as you stir in the rum.
Finish the Cake
Watch the cake closely. When the cake is a golden brown and pulling slightly from the edges of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, remove it from the oven. (My cake was done quite quickly so do keep an eye on it.)
Immediately, gently run a thin knife around the outside edges and the center of the cake. (I just pulled gently around the edges.) Using a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke many holes into the cake.
Begin spooning the glaze over the cake while it is still hot and in the bundt pan. Do this in 3 or 4 stages, allowing the glaze to absorb into the cake. Wait about 5 minutes between each stage.
When the last of the glaze has been used, allow the cake to sit for 5 minutes. Turn the cake over onto a large cake plate or cake stand. The cake should slide out of the bundt pan and onto the plate. Allow the cake to cool fully.
Sprinkle the cake or the individual servings with powdered sugar before serving.
NOTE: The flavor improves over time. I recommend allowing the cake to sit overnight or at least six hours before serving.