Rum Cake Glaze

We all know that apart from enhancing the looks and flavor of the cake, cake glazes serve many different purposes. Glaze forms a protective coating over cakes, thereby retaining the moisture and flavor of the cake. Cake glazes are also useful as a base for applying fondant and marzipan. But, the golden rule is that you must choose the right glaze and prepare it properly.

How to Glaze Your Rum Cake

A cake glaze is basically a syrup that is applied on cakes, so that once it dries, it offers a thin and glossy crust to the cake. Cake glazes can be applied before or after baking. Such glazes can be prepared with a variety of ingredients. However, the golden rule is that the cake glaze flavor must gel with the flavor of the cake, but, should not spoil the latter. In order to make rum cake glaze, the following ingredients are needed.

• Granulated sugar (white) - ¾ cup
• Butter - ¼ cup
• Rum - 3 tablespoons
• Walnuts (chopped) - ½ cup
• Water - 3 tablespoons

Preparation Method

Take a saucepan and melt butter in it. Now, add granulated sugar and other contents and cook for five minutes. Make sure you stir the mixture constantly. After that, remove the pan from heat and add the chopped walnuts. Now, your rum cake glaze is ready. It is always better to pour the glaze over the cake (after pricking it), when the former is still warm.

You may also prepare the glaze with the same ingredients, but, in a different way. Take a pan and melt half cup butter. Add a cup of sugar and ¼ cup of plain water. Let the mixture cook for around five minutes. Don't forget to stir it continuously. Once done, gently stir in the rum, before pouring it over the cake.

Rum Cake Glaze - Points to Note

You need only a few ingredients to prepare this glaze. It is always better to avoid using other types of sugar (in place of granulated white sugar), as it may not give proper consistency to the syrup that in turn, will affect the setting of the glaze. It may also make the glaze too sweet. Artificial sugars should be totally avoided. Another point to note is to cook the glaze to the right consistency. Make sure that the sugar gets dissolved fully and the mixture is not too thin or too thick.

You may use white, dark or spiced rum for preparing this cake glaze. If you want a substitute for rum, then, go for a mixture of rum flavoring and water. If you need two tablespoons of rum, use a mixture of 1½ tablespoons of flavoring with three to four tablespoons of hot water. If you are using rum, you must be cautious to avoid your hands from getting burned, as there are chances that addition of rum to the sugar-butter mixture causes release of steam that can hurt you. Even butter can be replaced with margarine. But, whole butter is preferred, as margarine may not offer the same flavor and may form a thin syrup. Before applying the glaze, prick the cake slightly with a fork. This helps in better absorption.

So, why wait? Prepare your favorite rum cake, and decorate it with the right glaze. Whether it be a Bacardi rum cake, chocolate rum cake or any other type, you may use the above said rum cake glaze recipe for preparing the glaze.