Rum Soaked Pound Cake

This sweet and slightly boozy recipe is a delicious addition to any meal but it especially shines during the holidays. Ensure you get the best flavor by using a Louisiana-distilled rum. 

Ingredients for Pound Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 large eggs, separated
• 1¼ cups sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon rum extract
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup half-and-half
• 3 cups Rum Syrup, divided (recipe follows)

Method of Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 10-cup Bundt pan with baking spray. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a separate medium bowl, beat yolks and ¾ cup sugar with a mixer at medium-high speed until mixture is thick and pale, about two minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low; add extracts. In three batches, add flour mixture to yolk mixture, and beat just until combined. Add butter and half-and-half, and beat to combine.
3. In a large bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment at medium-high speed until frothy. Increase mixer speed to high, and gradually add remaining ½ cup sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until all is combined. Beat until stiff glossy peaks form, about four minutes.
4. Add one-third of egg whites to yolk mixture, combining gently. Add remaining egg whites, folding gently to combine. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
5. Bake until a wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Do not remove from pan. Using a skewer, pierce cake 12 to 15 times. Pour 2 cups Rum Syrup onto cake. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, cook remaining cup of rum syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool completely.
7. Invert cake onto serving platter. Drizzle with desired amount of thickened rum syrup, reserving remainder for another use, if desired. Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Makes 12 servings

Rum Syrup Ingredients

• 3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup rum

Method of Preparation

1. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, two cups water, vanilla and salt to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat; add rum, whisking to combine. Cool completely. Makes 12 servings.

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This recipe was provided by Louisiana Cookin' Magazine.