← BlogJune 29, 2026

How to Make the Perfect Easy Rum Cake

Caribbean · Easy · 65 min · 14 servings

vegetarian
Advertisement

This family friendly version of rum cake uses rum extract instead of alcohol making it one of the safest kid friendly recipes for celebrations. The moist buttery cake soaked in a sweet vanilla glaze is absolutely irresistible for children and adults alike.

Why this recipe works

This Easy Rum Cake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 65 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 420 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.

Advertisement

What you will need

This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 100 g instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 whole eggs
  • 120 ml vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp rum extract
  • 200 g powdered sugar
  • 60 ml milk

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Mix the Batter

Combine yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, rum extract and 120ml of water in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Pour batter into a well greased bundt pan making sure to coat all the grooves. Bake at 175 degrees C for 50 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake is deep golden brown.

Step 3: Cool and Unmold

Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. Run a butter knife around the edges to help release if needed then allow to cool completely before adding glaze.

Step 4: Make and Pour Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar with milk until a smooth pourable glaze forms. Drizzle generously over the cooled cake letting it run down the sides naturally. Kids love helping pour the glaze and watching it cascade down the ridges.

Advertisement

Easy substitutions

Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:

  • rum extract → vanilla extract for a classic vanilla flavor that younger children prefer
  • yellow cake mix → white cake mix for a lighter colored cake with a more delicate flavor

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:

  • Not greasing the bundt pan thoroughly in all the crevices causing the cake to stick and break apart when unmolded
  • Pouring glaze on a warm cake which makes it absorb instead of creating a pretty white drizzle on the surface

Nutrition facts

Per serving: 420 calories, 5g protein, 55g carbs, 21g fat, 1g fiber.

Ready to cook?

Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.

View full recipe →
Advertisement