From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (2024)

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (1)

My recipe for Homemade Rum Cake started with a shopping spree at TJ Maxx. See...sometime back in November I made the mistake of buying a tiny box of Tortuga rum cake that I saw on sale at our nearby store. It looked tempting, so I brought it home and opened the box for a small taste of cake before dinner.

And it was incredible!

Eugene witnessed my minor freak-out as I raved over the moist, golden rum cake studded with a tiny sprinkle of crushed walnuts. Before I knew it, I had eaten the entire cake and was walking around the room with a happy buzz.

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (2)

The next day after work, I returned to TJ Maxx and bought two more rum cakes--full-size this time. I proceeded to spend the next few weeks eating rum cake every night, returning to TJ Maxx regularly to replenish my supply. On one visit I finally realized that it would make more sense to just buy every cake they had left in stock (yes, this "made sense" to me)...so I did. I was so excited about the prospect of bringing home all these cakes that it didn't even occur to me to be embarrassed as I walked to the register with a tower of 8 rum cakes balanced in my arms.

"These are really, really good," I told the bemused cashier.

That was at the height of my wedding planning, and I credit a steady diet of nightly rum cake with helping me keep my sanity. (Miraculously, I still managed to lose quite a bit of weight pre-wedding; this may have to do with the fact that I was essentially replacing dinner with cake.)

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (3)

When I got back in January, the first thing on my agenda was recreating this cake at home. I searched the Internet for recipes, but all the ones I found relied on a combination of boxed cake and pudding mixes. I wanted to make rum cake from scratch, without bags of powdery substances. I finally found one recipe that was all from scratch except for the pudding mix (this, I’m sure you’ve guessed, is what led me to my recipe for homemade vanilla pudding mix). Not perfect, but definitely a start!

After a few trials and errors, I figured it out; I adjusted the original homemade rum cake recipe slightly, and then replaced the packaged pudding mix called for in the recipe with a cup of my own homemade pudding mix (essentially a combination of powdered milk and cornstarch). I pulled it from the oven, poured on the syrup, and waited anxiously until morning to see if it worked.

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (4)

The results were brilliant!

The buttery rum syrup soaks evenly throughout the cake and leaves you with a moist, soft, golden cake speckled with flecks of vanilla bean. The texture of the cake is absolutely perfect—soft and springy without being spongy. Since the ingredients are all whole and from scratch, it lacks the artificial flavor undertones of the "semi-homemade" version.

The batter comes together easily, with not that much more effort than a cake mix, but the results are infinitely better.

The rum both in the cake and the syrup can be adjusted according to your tastes. If you’re trying to recreate the Tortuga cake (the one in those hexagonal yellow boxes found in the airports all along the Caribbean—and TJ Maxx), I recommend getting a bottle of Tortuga rum, which can be found in various places online.

You can also use infused or spiced rums such as Bacardi Coco or Captain Morgan’s, but I honestly prefer the simplicity and rich flavor of a good dark aged bottle (like Bacardi Anejo).

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (5)


Want more Puerto Rican holiday recipes? Check out my eCookbook: The Puerto Rican Christmas Table with 40+ recipes and full-color photos. Click here to learn more!

****
New to Always Order Dessert? Consider subscribing to my RSS feed, follow me on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, or sign up to receive my once-a-week e-mail updates by filling in your address in the box on the right. And if you ever need any entertaining or cooking advice, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. Thanks for reading!

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (6)

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat)


Recipe by Alejandra Ramos | AlwaysOrderDessert.com

A recipe for homemade from-scratch rum cake made with no boxed mixes. Similar to Tortuga Rum Cake. The best from-scratch rum cake recipe!

5 stars

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 10 Servings
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons + 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup DIY Vanilla Pudding Mix (Click here for my easy pudding mix recipe or substitute one 3.4oz box of store bought pudding mix)
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup dark rum
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For the Rum Syrup:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan, and drop crushed walnuts into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

2. In the base of a mixer, cream the 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and the 1/2 cup butter. Add the 3 tablespoons oil, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and kosher salt combining until evenly distributed. (Mixture will look like fine crumbs.) Mix in the pudding mix.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, rum, vanilla extract, and remaining vegetable oil. Add to the dry mixture and mix well until combined. The batter will be smooth, thin, and pour easily.

4. Pour into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the cake comes up clean.

5. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack. Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes.

6. While the cake cools, prepare the rum syrup: In a large saucepan with high sides, combine the butter, water, granulated sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the butter completely melts and the sugar dissolves. Let reduce slightly, keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over. Remove from the heat and stir in the rum (it will bubble).

7. Wash and dry the bundt pan, then place over the cool cake and invert the cake back into the pan. Pour the hot rum syrup all over the cake and let soak for 8 hours (overnight). In morning, invert the cake back onto a serving platter.

Keeps covered for 1 week at room temperature.

From Scratch Rum Cake Recipe (Homemade Tortuga Rum Cake Copycat) (2024)

FAQs

What is the alcohol content of Tortuga rum cake? ›

Tortuga rum cakes contain wheat, eggs and milk. The Original contains tree nuts (walnuts) and the Coconut contains tree nuts (coconut). What is the liquor content in Tortuga Rum Cakes? They contain less than half of 1% alcohol so appropriate for all ages and cultures.

Which rum is best for cake? ›

Which rum is best for cake? You can use light or dark rum for this recipe. Dark rum tends to be more flavorful than milder light rum, and will add more complexity to the cake.

What is the origin of tortuga rum cake? ›

History of the Tortuga Rum Cakes

Rum cakes have been part of Caribbean cuisine for many years, but they were made popular and accessible by the Tortuga Rum Company, Ltd. This company was the first rum maker in the Cayman Islands in 1984, then used their rums to make the famous Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake in 1987.

How long does tortuga caribbean rum cake last? ›

Each rum cake is hand glazed with special 5-year-old, oak barrel aged Tortuga Gold Rum then vacuum sealed to lock in the delicious freshness. The cakes have a shelf life of 12 months, or indefinitely if refrigerated or frozen.

Does tortuga rum cake get you drunk? ›

While rum cake does contain alcohol, the chances of getting tipsy from a slice or two are about as slim as a supermodel's waistline.

Can you get Tortuga rum in the US? ›

Unfortunately, our company currently does not directly distribute liquor outside of the Caribbean Islands, nor do we have a distributor in the United States.

Should rum cake be refrigerated? ›

Your cake will stay fresh for seven days without refrigeration. I recommend keeping it in an airtight container to keep it moist. It will last even longer if you keep it in the fridge or freeze it. Just let it come to room temperature before eating for the best flavor.

Which Flavour of rum is best? ›

Gold Or Pale Rum

These golden types of rum usually present a more flavorful profile than the white or clear rums. Gold rums are used to make co*cktails in which a stronger flavor is desired. Gold rums are often aged several years or more and some coloring may be added to provide consistency.

What is a substitute for rum in rum cake? ›

No problem. Simply substitute an equal amount of red grape juice, cranberry juice or nonalcoholic wine. Rum – If you're preparing tropical desserts like our Banana Rum Cupcakes and Cuban Rum Cake but don't have rum, use rum extract or reach for the pineapple juice.

Where are tortuga rum cakes made? ›

Tortuga Rum isn't made in the Cayman Islands -- it's made in Jamaica. Yes, the rum cakes -- which are delicious -- are made here, and for about thirty seconds, it's interesting to watch them make the cakes. But you're staring through a window watching people pour rum on cakes. That's it.

Who owns Tortuga rum cake? ›

Robert and Carlene Hamaty continue to own Tortuga Liquors, their wholesale and retail liquor distribution business in Grand Cayman, and are shareholders in Tortuga International.

Why is it called Tortuga? ›

On December 6, 1492, three Spanish ships entered the Windward Passage that separates Cuba and Haiti. At sunrise, Columbus noticed an island whose contours emerged from the morning mist. Because the shape reminded him of a turtle's shell, he chose the name of Tortuga.

Can rum cake go bad? ›

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.

Where do you store rum cake? ›

Rum cake is best stored at room temperature to maintain its flavor and texture. Refrigeration can cause dryness and alter its taste. How long does rum cake last at room temperature? When stored at room temperature, a well-wrapped rum cake stays fresh for about 1-2 weeks, depending on several factors.

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. How many calories are there in rum?

Will rum cake show up on a drug test? ›

Flavoring extracts, such as vanilla or almond extract, and liquid herbal extracts could result in a positive drug test for alcohol. Foods cooked with wine should be avoided, such as cherries jubilee, baked Alaska, rum cake, burgundy chicken, and flambé dishes.

How much alcohol is in bounty coconut rum? ›

General Information
Brand‎St Lucia Distillers
Flavour‎Coconut
Unit count‎700.0 millilitre
Number of items‎1
Alcohol content20 Percent by Volume
18 more rows

What percent alcohol is Caribbean rum? ›

Rum
A glass of dark rum
TypeDistilled beverage
Region of originCaribbean
Introduced17th century
Alcohol by volume40–80%
6 more rows

Can whiskey cake get you drunk? ›

In case you're wondering, no, this cake will not get you drunk. Each serving contains a mere quarter ounce of whiskey (that's 1 1/2 teaspoons). While part of the alcohol does cook off during baking, the cake will still contain some alcohol, so keep that in mind when serving.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6599

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.