Rum Cake

Rum cake is a moist, rich dessert, often a bundt or loaf cake, made with a generous amount of rum in both the batter and a sweet glaze. Its typical ingredients include flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and dark or spiced rum, frequently enhanced with dried fruits like raisins or nuts like pecans. This indulgent treat has strong roots in Caribbean cuisine, particularly in the Bahamas and Jamaica, and is also a beloved holiday staple in many American households.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Rum cake is a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate dessert, with a significant portion of its calories coming from sugar and fat. A single slice (about 1/12 of a cake) can range from 350 to 500 calories, providing quick energy but minimal essential nutrients beyond some fats and a small amount of protein from the eggs and nuts.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	420 kcal
Protein	4.5 g
Carbs	55 g
Fat	21 g
Fiber	0.8 g
Sugar	38 g
Sodium	180 mg
Potassium	120 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Calcium	30 mg
Vitamin A	150 IU
Vitamin C	0.2 mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.1 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.08 mg
Niacin	0.8 mg

Per 1 slice (113 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, rum cake is a festive centerpiece, often associated with Christmas and special celebrations in the Caribbean, where it's sometimes called 'black cake' when made with dark rum and fruits soaked for months. Nutritionally, the alcohol in the rum largely bakes off, but its flavor remains, making the cake a unique example of how a key ingredient transforms both taste and cultural significance without its intoxicating effects.