Coconut Rum Cake

The Best Coconut Rum Cake Recipe

This Coconut Rum Cake Recipe puts a tropical twist on a classic Rum Cake recipe. Bonus (at least, for me): it brings back memories of my recent Princess Cruise trip in the Eastern Caribbean!

I’m excited to be partnering with Princess Cruises to share this delicious recipe with all of you!

When you think of cruises, you probably imagine blue waters, white sand, and fun excursions like snorkeling and swimming with stingrays.

And while my cruise offered all these things (and more) there’s something else I really enjoyed on the trip …

THE FOOD!

That’s right, in addition to the tasty food on board, I loved sampling the local flavors at each port. And one of the tastiest — and most surprising — treats was Coconut Rum Cake!

Also known as Caribbean Rum Cake, this boozy dessert is dense, moist, and full of rum and coconut flavor. But the reason it’s so surprisingly delicious is that it’s sold in the port gift shops!

Believe it or not, this treat is packed in boxes and shrink-wrapped (it’s called Tortuga Rum Cake). In fact, it’s considered the most popular souvenir in the Caribbean!

We picked up a few in port in Grand Turk just before boarding the ship. I was worried we were running late to catch our ship, but since the OceanMedallion makes reboarding so quick and easy, I decided to risk it and stock up on some sweets!

A Caribbean Tradition!

We saw the Tortuga Cakes in almost every port, and of course, I had to pick a few up. But once I got them home, unfortunately, they didn’t last long …

So, I was inspired to make my own homemade version. Plus, I love rum cake already; it’s always been a traditional Christmas dessert in my family and we make it with spiced rum and walnuts!

But this recipe has a coconut twist that makes it perfect for summer! In fact, it may be the Best Rum Cake Recipe you’ve ever tasted.

And with a couple of hacks, it’s easy to replicate the traditional tourist favorite.

Ingredients For Coconut Rum Cake

This cake is made quick and easy with a yellow cake mix and a package of vanilla pudding. The recipe also calls for basics like eggs, butter, sugar, water, and vegetable oil.

The not-so-secret ingredient is loads of sweet, shredded coconut for that signature island flavor. Then, of course, there’s the rum! Rum Cake is made with three different kinds of rum – THREE!!! And they equal a full cup!

My family loves this recipe! It gets devoured every time I make it! My brother-in-law’s mom was a professional baker and he said this is the best cake he has ever tasted!

– Suzi

What Rum Is Used?

Dark Rum – I’m partial to Myer’s, but I know many who like Goslings. The dark rum helps build a strong flavor foundation within the cake itself and should not be substituted for another rum.

Gold Rum – I really like using Appleton Special Rum in baked goods. It’s an affordable rum with great body and a nice sweetness to it that really lends itself to the glaze.

Coconut Rum – This rum makes the cake! It’s sweet and delicious and adds the flavor of the tropics to an already delicious recipe. I like using Sugar Island, Blue Chair Bay, or Malibu.

I prefer making this cake with three different kinds of rum because I think it adds a wonderful flavor dynamic. If you can’t find Appleton Special Rum, you can use another gold rum, dark rum, or ALL coconut rum.

However, I recommend keeping the dark rum in the cake batter itself. I don’t recommend spiced rum as it tends to overpower the coconut.

So, it must be noted: this Rum Soaked cake is definitely not kid-friendly. But the adults at the party will love this Caribbean-inspired dessert! Yep, each bite is like a vacation in your mouth.

That’s why it’s perfect to share with (age-appropriate) friends and family all summer long!

How To Make Coconut Rum Cake

This cake is pretty simple to make but takes some time because it takes about an hour to bake and about 2 hours to soak in all the buttery and sugary goodness of the glaze.

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F and grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Sprinkle some shredded coconut evenly over the bottom of the pan.
2. Sift the cake mix and pudding mix into a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add in the eggs, water, oil, and rums and beat until fully incorporated. Pour batter over the coconut in the pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
4. During the last 10 minutes or so that the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, combine the butter, water, and sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the rum.
5. Use a skewer to poke holes all over the bottom of the cake while in the pan, then pour the rum glaze all over the cake while both are still hot. Be careful not to let it overflow the pan.
6. Let the cake cool to room temperature and soak for at least 2 hours before removing from the pan. DO NOT refrigerate. After the cake has cooled, use a small rubber spatula to loosen it from the sides of the pan, then gently flip it onto a serving plate or cake stand and remove it from the pan. Be patient and let gravity do its thing. The cake is a little sticky and is slow to come out.
6. If you feel like getting fancy, once plated you could top it with powdered sugar or a thick vanilla icing and toasted coconut.

The Perfect Cake For A Crowd!

Bring it to backyard barbecues and cookouts all summer long. But don’t let the season stop you, this makes a delicious dessert all year round!

Paired with Rum Punch on a balmy evening, and you’ll be ready to party the night away! And if you plan on turning your backyard into a tiki hangout, this Rum Cake is definitely a necessity.

Every time I eat a slice of Coconut Cake, it takes me back to turquoise water and sandy beaches … It’s almost like being back on my sunny Princess Cruise. Almost.

This crowd-pleasing Coconut Rum Cake Recipe will become a staple at your get-togethers all summer long. Make this boozy treat once, and friends and family will beg you to make it over and over again!

More Cake Recipes

• Chocolate Yogurt Cake – A lightened-up treat that’s still rich and indulgent!
• Humminbird Cake – Topped with caramel cream cheese frosting and pecan pieces!
• Strawberry Cake – Enjoy it plain or top it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
• Yellow Cake – Deliciously tender cake that’s perfect for birthdays and celebrations!
• Dot Cakes (Viral Copycat Recipe) – Fun cakes that took the internet by storm!