Rum Bundt Cake

This supremely moist, boozy Southern Bundt cake is based on one made by Agnes Nuro, a friend of Bernard L. Herman, writer of our November 2012 story A Bountiful Shore.

ENLARGECredit: Helen RosnerSERVES 12–16

INGREDIENTS

8 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for pan
2 cups flour, plus more for pan
2¾ cups sugar
¼ cup dry milk powder
3 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup dark rum
½ cup milk
½ cup canola oil
1 tbsp. vanilla
4 eggs

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oven to 325°. Grease and flour a 10" Bundt pan; set aside. Whisk together flour, 1¾ cups sugar, milk powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Whisk together ½ cup rum, milk, oil, vanilla, and eggs in a medium bowl until smooth; pour over dry ingredients, and whisk until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth top; bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool for 20 minutes, and then unmold and let cool.

2. Bring butter, remaining sugar, and ¼ cup water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over high heat; cook, stirring to dissolve sugar, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in remaining rum. Place cooled cake, top side down, on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, and poke holes all over the bottom and sides. Slowly pour syrup all over cake, letting it soak into the cake as you pour. Let cake cool completely before serving.

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