Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (2024)

This is a super easy recipe and perfect with a cup of tea to celebrate the holidays! The cake is soft and moist, packed with rum-infused raisins, and makes for a great Christmas time cake.

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (1)

Caribbean Rum Cake. Well! What can I say about this cake other than it is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

Last Christmas I went to stay with a very good friend, Wilma. Wilma lives in England, however, she is originally from the Island of St Kitts. Wilma is a fabulous cook and I've had many a good meal at Wilma's. On my last visit, Wilma kindly gave me a lesson on how she makes her Caribbean Rum Cake. Well, you know Caribbean people LOVE their rum and so it is no surprise they have a recipe or two which includes rum!

So I set about with my notepad and camera to have the recipe ready for sharing with you all. It is certainly one which can't be missed. Simply because the flavours and textures, the smells when this is cooking, and the rumbling of the tummy whilst you wait for a slice of this Caribbean Rum Cake is just something you can't miss out on!

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This Caribbean Rum Cake recipe has been in Wilma's family for generations. It is the way her mother used to make this cake, and that is just how it is. I am sure if you go to any Caribbean house, they will also have their own 'family' recipe for this cake. It's a very popular cake, especially at Christmas time.

Table of Contents 📋 hide

1) What fruit is inside this rum cake?

2) Prep Time

3) Cook Time

4) Serves

5) Ingredients

6) Instructions

7) Recipe Card

8) Caribbean Rum Cake

9) Recipes using Rum

What fruit is inside this rum cake?

For the fruit, Wilma chose a mixture of cherries, raisins and sultanas. You can of course also add a variety of dried fruit. The trick to getting this cake so packed with flavour is to marinade the fruit a few weeks ahead. Store in an airtight container and just let the rum do it's magic and soak in to the fruit.

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (2)

The cake will store, covered tightly with foil in an air tight container for a few weeks if you did want to make ahead. You could also choose to frost or decorate it. However, Wilma serves it just as it is, as you see in the photos.

We ate this with a nice cup of tea. In fact I had several slices and several cups of tea!!

So please do enjoy and thank you to Wilma for sharing your wonderful family Caribbean Run Cake recipe!

Recipe By Wilma Facey

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

1 hour

Serves

8 - 10 Slices

Ingredients

9 oz or 250 g Dried Fruit (raisins, sultanas,cherries etc)
zest 1 lemon
10 fl oz or 300 ml Dark Rum
8 oz or 250 g Butter, cubed
8 oz or 225 g Dark Brown Sugar
½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3 Eggs, Lightly beaten
9 oz or 250 g Self raising Flour (or same in All Purpose PLUS 1 teaspoon Baking Powder)
1 Tablespoon Mixed Spice
½ Teaspoon All Spice
4 Tablespoons Brandy or Sherry

Instructions

1. Add dried fruit, rum, and lemon zest to a covered container and let soak. Ideally, this should be done several weeks ahead so the fruit can marinade nicely.

2. Preheat oven to 350 F or 180 C. Grease and line an 8 inch / 20 cm Cake pan or 9 inch loaf pan

3. Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs a bit at a time with some flour to combine.

5. Then add the remaining flour and spices. Combine then add the fruit, gently stirring to fully distribute.

6. Bake for 1 to 1 ¼ hours or until done. Test the centre with a skewer to make sure it comes out clean. Check after 1 hour.

7. Allow to cool on a rack then pierce holes over the top of the cake and pour the sherry or brandy over. Wrap the cake in foil and let sit overnight or longer before eating.

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (6)

We'd love to hear from you and what you thought of our post. Did you make any changes or add some other goodies? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!

Recipe Card

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (7)

Caribbean Rum Cake

Yield: 8 -10

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Caribbean Rum Cake, an easy delicious recipe! The cake is soft and moist, packed with rum infused raisins and makes for a great Christmas time cake.

Ingredients

  • 9 oz or 250 g Dried Fruit (raisins, sultanas,cherries etc)
  • zest 1 lemon
  • 10 oz fl or 300 ml Dark Rum
  • 8 oz or 250 g Butter, cubed
  • 8 oz or 225 g Dark Brown Sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 3 Eggs, Lightly beaten
  • 9 oz or 250 g Self raising Flour, or same in All Purpose PLUS 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Mixed Spice
  • ½ Teaspoon All Spice
  • 4 Tablespoons Brandy or Sherry

Instructions

  1. Add dried fruit, rum, and lemon zest to a covered container and let soak. Ideally, this should be done several weeks ahead so the fruit can marinade nicely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F or 180 C. Grease and line an 8 inch / 20 cm Cake pan or 9-inch loaf pan.
  3. Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the eggs a bit at a time with some flour to combine.
  5. Add the remaining flour and spices and fruit
  6. Bake for 1 to 1 ¼ hours or until done. Test the center with a skewer to make sure it comes out clean.
  7. Allow to cool on a rack then pierce holes over the top of the cake and pour the sherry or brandy over. Wrap the cake in foil and let sit overnight or longer before eating.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 502Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 560mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 3gSugar: 35gProtein: 5g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate

Recipes using Rum

Here's a selection of delicious recipes using Rum as an ingredient

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (8)

Rum and Raisin Cookies

Rum, Orange and Raisin Cookies - A delicious flavor combo, crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside!

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (9)

Spiked Rum Pumpkin Pie

Spiked Rum Pumpkin Pie, the addition of rum takes this traditional homemade pumpkin pie to another level! Perfect Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday dessert

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (10)

Coconut and Rum White Chocolate Truffles

Coconut and Rum White Chocolate Truffles, luxuriously creamy and decadent, are easy to make and perfect for gifts and parties!

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (11)

Cranberry and Pecan Christmas Cake

Cranberry and Pecan Christmas Cake, loaded with delicious fruits and Spiced Rum. A perfect treat for Christmas.

  1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (12)

    Renuka

    says:

    December 7th, 2023 at 3:45 pm

    Is there something I can substitute for eggs as I’m a vegan?

  2. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (13)

    Michael Andrews

    says:

    August 7th, 2022 at 10:12 am

    Hi I’ve made three run and fruit cakes one each for my two sons and one for my son in law.they went down a treat ☺excellent.the only problem I seem to have had in two the fruit was evenly distributed ,but the third one the fruit sank to the bottom? Any help as to why this should happen.i’ve had orders to make some more of the cakes and I don’t want the same thing to happen again. All the best regards Mike andrews

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (14)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      August 7th, 2022 at 10:59 am

      Hi Mike, sounds like you’ve been very busy in the kitchen! So glad everyone enjoyed the cakes.
      I’m wondering, did you make the batch for 3 cakes using the same batter, if so, then the 3rd cake should have come out the same as the other two right?!
      If you made the 3rd cake separately, fruit sinking can be down to a number of issues, I’ll list some here, and see if you can identify any of them
      1. Fruit is too ‘heavy’ so it will sink (conversely, batter too thin). Remedy, coat the fruit in a dusting of flour before adding to the batter as that will give it some ‘grip’ when it hits the batter. Or, chop the fruit smaller, but as you’ve used the fruit in the recipe this wouldn’t be an issue in this case.
      2. Oven temp is too low. – the batter will take too long for it to start cooking and holding the fruit in situ.
      3. Too much liquid still on the fruit from soaking(causing batter to be too runny, as mentioned in point 1. )
      4. Did the third cake go in the centre of the oven or on the bottom, assuming if you’ve bakes all 3 at once, the third may have ended up on a lower shelf due to space? If so, it will cook at a lower temperature (see point 2).
      All in all, I think if you’ve been successful with the first 2 cakes, it may have been an unlucky bake on the third, but hopefully I’ve put some tips above that you can think about?
      Hope that helps!
      Mary

    2. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (15)

      Michael Andrews

      says:

      August 7th, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      Hi mary thanks for your prompt reply, th fruit had been soaking for about two weeks! Come to think of it the
      batter did look thinner than the other two possibly i over mixed it, thanks for The tips, l the best regards Mike Andrews

  3. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (16)

    Michael Andrews

    says:

    June 25th, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    Hi in your recipe for Caribbean run cake it say 9oz of dried fruit, is this 9oz. or 3oz of each?

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (17)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      June 25th, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Hi Michael, it’s 9oz in total of whatever fruits you choose. Hope that helps!

      1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (18)

        Michael Andrews

        says:

        June 25th, 2022 at 6:03 pm

        Ok thanks for your prompt reply I’ll get on and get the ingredients together now☺

  4. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (19)

    Katie

    says:

    December 10th, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    Hi! If there’s some rum not soaked into the fruit by baking time, do I mix it into the dough too? I plan to marinate the fruit for 2 weeks, but what if there’s quite a bit of it left liquid…
    Recipe looks stunning, I’m so looking forward to cooking this!

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (20)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      December 10th, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      Hi Katie, that’s not a problem. If you have some left over, I suggest you save it in a jar and after the cake is baked and cooked, poke holes in the top of the cake all the way down, (use a skewer) you can drizzle the cake with the remaining rum (no more than 2 tablespoons at a time. Then cover with foil. Give it a few days and feed the cake again with 2 more tablespoons, cover and repeat until all the rum is used. Hope that helps!

  5. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (21)

    Kelly Thomas

    says:

    January 18th, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    Thank you, the only problem I’ve had is the top cooking to quick. Everyone that’s tried it has lived it.
    Thanks again for sharing with us

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (22)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      January 18th, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Kelly, Glad you enjoyed the cake! If your top is browning too fast, half way through cooking, cover it with some foil and that should do the trick next time!

  6. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (23)

    Cooke

    says:

    December 18th, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    Hi,
    I already have a large batch of fermented fruit. Do I just use 550g of it? I have also blended it as I hate biting into fruit in cakes. Will this work?

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (24)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      December 18th, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      Hi Cooke, yes that should be fine!

  7. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (25)

    Althea

    says:

    November 9th, 2020 at 5:07 am

    Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (26)
    I have baked this Jamaican rum cake the once, couple days ago.
    The dark rum seems to be overpowering as in strong in taste, do you think it will be a good idea if I soak in red label wine, with a bit of white rum?
    Will it give the same effect?

    It says 225g of dark brown sugar, it was really sweet, what grams of sugar can I use?
    I was thinking between 180g or 200g what do you think.

    My cooker is a fan assisted electric cooker, I baked it on 150c for one hour and the sides of the cake was not the softest, I was thinking still bake it for the hour on 140c, what do you think
    Other than that the cake is beautiful
    I await your reply

    Althea Kerr

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (27)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      November 9th, 2020 at 8:03 am

      Hi Althea, feel free to adjust the oven settings according to your oven, as you know all ovens can be very different!
      For the sugar, you can adjust the quantity to suit.
      The alcohol, again, you can swap the run for another spirit if you prefer.
      It’s quite a flexible recipe so give it another go and let us know how it turns out!

  8. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (28)

    Janet Meek

    says:

    October 7th, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    Hello I am going to bake Caribbean Rum cake when I soak the fruit, rum and lemon zest in a container do I put it in the fridge or is it not needed to do that. MARINADE.
    THANKS

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (29)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      October 7th, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      Hi Janet, you can keep the container in a cupboard without any problems.

      1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (30)

        Janet

        says:

        October 8th, 2020 at 11:04 am

        Thank-you for that, looking forward to making it.

  9. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (31)

    Sheridan Fortune

    says:

    December 9th, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    wrap the cake in foil, when the cake rise would it not stick to the foil or do you wrap the outside of the cake pan.

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (32)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      December 9th, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      Hi Sheridan,
      There seems to be a typo, the fool should be wrapped in point 7, after it is baked. There is no need for foil when putting the batter in the cake pan.
      I’ve amended the recipe to read correctly. For some reason that sentence was added in point 6 and 7 which obviously caused the confusion!
      It’s a delicious cake so I hope you can make it soon!

  10. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (33)

    Kathyann

    says:

    November 10th, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Can I omit the fruits in this recipe. If so do I need to add anything to substitute the missing fruit?

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (34)

      Leon

      says:

      September 30th, 2020 at 11:30 pm

      I also preferred not to use fruits and added walnuts instead.

  11. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (35)

    Lina

    says:

    September 11th, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    I would love to try this cake, but wondering what is mixed spice?

    1. Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (36)

      Lovefoodies

      says:

      September 11th, 2016 at 8:50 pm

      Hi Lina, if you live in the US, it is very similar to Pumpkin Spice. Hope that helps!

Caribbean Rum Cake, Soft cake, with rum, raisins, great for Christmas (2024)

FAQs

How much alcohol is in Caribbean rum cake? ›

They contain less than half of 1% alcohol so appropriate for all ages and cultures. If you are feeling tipsy after enjoying our rum cake, you are simply high on our delicious taste of the islands.

How long does caribbean rum cake last? ›

Because of the rum in the cake, it can act as a preservative and can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature, not in direct light. As a result of proper care and in excellent conditions, a rum cake can last up to 10 days. If you freeze it and store it correctly, the cake can last a couple of months.

What is the best rum for baking cakes? ›

Here are some popular types of rum that are often recommended for baking, including rum cakes:
  1. Old Monk. It has a distinctive vanilla and caramel flavour with a hint of spice.
  2. Segredo Aldeia Cafe Rum. ...
  3. Sitara Spiced Rum. ...
  4. Ashanti Spiced Rum. ...
  5. Alejandro Crafted Dark Rum.

Can you soak fruitcake in rum? ›

After you've covered your cake in holes, pour a small amount of alcohol into a bowl; I used about 1/3 of a cup for a small cake. As for what alcohol, rum or brandy is pretty traditional for soaking fruitcake, but almost anything will work.

Can you get drunk off Caribbean rum cake? ›

An average rum cake has around 1/2 cup rum to bake the cake and eating two to three pieces of dry rum cake is too less to get you drunk. However, if you soak the cake in rum after baking and serve it after refrigeration, then eating too much cake can get you a little intoxicated.

Can kids eat Christmas rum cake? ›

Made with dried fruit that is soaked in white rum and Red Label wine, this cake is delicious but not suitable for children! The dried fruit is usually soaked for up to a year in advance, but if you are pressed for time you can soak them overnight or for as long as you are able to.

How do you store Christmas rum cake? ›

To store a Christmas cake, start by marinating a cheesecloth in some brandy, rum, wine, or fruit juice. Then, wrap your Christmas cake in the marinated cheesecloth. Next, wrap some aluminum foil around your cheesecloth-wrapped cake and place it into an airtight container. Finally, store your cake in a cool, dry place.

Should you refrigerate rum cake after baking? ›

Storing: Best kept at room temperature, you will want to wrap this cake tightly in plastic wrap to maintain the moisture. It keeps for up to 5 days at room temperature. Freezing: You can freeze rum cake! Wrap it twice in plastic wrap then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Does Caribbean rum go bad? ›

If stored correctly, rum will last a number of years. Ensure It's tightly sealed so the flavor doesn't escape, and keep it in a cool, dry place to preserve its integrity.

What is another name for rum cake? ›

What Is Rum Cake? Otherwise known as black cake, this dessert captures the essence of rum in a delicious way.

What is a substitute for rum in rum cake? ›

In conclusion, there are several options to choose from when looking for a nonalcoholic substitute for rum in your favorite recipe. Apple cider, pineapple juice, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract are all good options that can add a similar flavor to your dish.

What is the best liquor to soak fruitcake in? ›

What alcohol should you use? Strong, flavourful spirits with a high ABV are ideal for feeding fruitcakes. You can use rum, brandy or whisky for spice, or if you like citrus flavours, try an orange liqueur. Cherry brandy and amaretto will also work well if you prefer these.

How do you keep fruitcake moist? ›

We recommend wrapping your fruitcake in plastic wrap before placing it in an airtight container. Then, place that container in the fridge. Doing this can ensure your fruitcake stays fresh for up to two months.

Can you store Christmas cake in a plastic container? ›

Yes you can use an airtight plastic container. I would wrap the cold cake in baking parchment and foil before it goes in the box, but still store it in a cool dark place.

What percent alcohol is Caribbean rum? ›

The former is generally bottled at 57 percent; the latter can be anywhere from 60 percent to the infamous, strap-yourself-in strength of 151 proof (75.5 percent). No matter how it's made, a rum punch tends to taste best seaside.

Is Jamaican rum cake alcoholic? ›

Indulge in a slice of our Traditional Jamaican Fruit Rum Cake, a true Caribbean delight. Each slice is richly infused with the renowned Wray & Nephews rum and Red Label wine, offering a sumptuous, boozy kick.

How much alcohol is left in a cake after baking? ›

Meats and baked goods that are cooked for 25 minutes without being stirred retain 45 percent of alcohol. Stews and other dishes that simmer for two and one-half hours tend to have the lowest amounts, but they retain about five percent of the alcohol.

Does alcohol bake off in cake? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), baked or simmered dishes that contain alcohol will retain 40% of the original amount after 15 minutes of cooking, 35% after 30 minutes and 25% after an hour. But there's no point at which all of the alcohol disappears.

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