Gluten-Free Caribbean Rum Cake

If you've never sampled rum cake, now's the time and here's the recipe! While it's often considered a holiday confection, rum cake is actually a good dessert choice all year 'round. Served with a cup of strong coffee, it's equally satisfying in summer, with fresh berries or peaches, or in winter with a dollop of whipped cream.  

We know you’ll love this gluten-free version of our Caribbean-Style Rum Cake recipe, a long-time favorite here on our site. Substituting Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour for the flour in that original yields an incredibly moist, wonderfully aromatic cake that’s sure to be a hit with friends and family following a gluten-free diet. Enjoy!

PREP

35 mins

BAKE

55 mins to 1 hr 5 mins

TOTAL

9 hrs 40 mins

YIELD

1 large Bundt cake, 16 slices

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups (240g) Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
• 1 1/2 cups (298g) granulated sugar
• 3.4-ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix (not sugar-free)*
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (99g) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (113g) milk, at room temperature
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (113g) rum, plain or spiced
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (24g) almond flour, for dusting baking pan, optional

*See "tips," below.

Syrup*

• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (57g) water
• 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) rum, plain or spiced
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*See "tips," below.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. To make the cake: Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. 

3. Place the flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking powder, salt, butter, and vegetable oil in a mixing bowl, and mix at medium speed until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture is sandy looking.

4. Beat in the milk, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Scrape the bowl thoroughly, and beat briefly to recombine any sticky residue.

5. Stir in the rum and vanilla.

6. Spritz a 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray. For an extra layer of nutty flavor, sprinkle the inside of the pan with almond flour and turn the pan to coat evenly; shake out any excess. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread level with a spatula.

7. Bake the cake for 55 to 65 minutes. When done, a cake tester, long toothpick, or strand of uncooked spaghetti will come out clean when inserted into the center. Remove the cake from the oven.

8. Leave the cake in the pan to cool slightly while you make the syrup.

9. To make the syrup: In a medium-sized saucepan combine the syrup ingredients, except vanilla. Bring to a rapid boil then reduce to a simmer and cook (without stirring) for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

10. Use a long skewer to poke holes all over the cake. Pour about 1/4 cup of the syrup over the cake (still in the pan). Allow the syrup to soak in, then repeat again and again until all the syrup is used.

11. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and allow the cake to sit overnight at room temperature to cool completely and soak in the syrup. When ready to serve, loosen the edges of the cake and invert onto your serving plate. If the cake won’t release, don't force it. Place it in the oven, turn the oven to 350°F, and warm for about 10 minutes, to soften the sticky syrup. (If your oven is one that preheats by making its upper element red-hot, place the cake on a lower rack and tent it with aluminum foil to protect it.) Remove the cake from the oven, and tip it onto the serving plate.

12. Serve with hot coffee or tea. The cake is very moist, fragrant and potent.

13. Wrap securely (or place under a cake cover) and store at room temperature for several days. Freeze for longer storage, up to 1 month.

Tips from our Bakers

• The pudding mix adds a bit of flavor and sweetness, plus enhances the cake's moisture. Use a different flavor pudding mix if desired: banana, caramel, butterscotch, coconut, etc. Want to omit the pudding mix? You can; your cake will be a bit less sweet, and somewhat drier. Be aware we've tried substituting cornstarch, sugar, and extra vanilla for the pudding mix, and the result just isn't the same.

• Want to omit the pudding mix? You can; your cake will be a bit less sweet, and somewhat drier. Be aware we've tried substituting cornstarch, sugar, and extra vanilla for the pudding mix, and the result just isn't the same.
• Using the full amount of syrup in the recipe will make a traditional rum-soaked rum cake, one that's incredibly moist. For a less "rummy" cake, one with a more standard cake texture, make and use just half the amount of syrup.

• Be aware: some of your baking ingredients can be a hidden source of gluten. Learn more at our blog post: For gluten-free baking, think beyond just flour. For additional information on King Arthur-produced products, read the complete details of our allergen program, including our contact-prevention practices.