Jorge Castillo: On an island where sugar cane is the most important crop, it’s no wonder that rum, the alcohol produced from sugar cane, finds its way into so many dishes.

Glenn Lindgren: Rum gives recipes such a complex and interesting flavor and this recipe is so rich and moist, you won't believe it.

Jorge Castillo: Dieters beware! This is NOT a low-calorie dessert.

Raúl Musibay: Believe me, there's no such thing! Who ever heard of a diet dessert?

Jorge Castillo: If you slice the pieces small enough, all of the calories leak out... <grin>

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add vanilla and eggs and beat until blended. Beat in the lemon peel and then add the rum and banana liqueur. Gradually add the flour, alternating with the cream. Blend mixture until just combined.

Pour batter into a well-greased and floured Bundt (circular ring) pan and bake approximately one hour. A skewer inserted in the cake should come out clean. We often use a mini-Bundt muffin pan, which produces eight mini rum cakes (see picture above).

To make syrup:

Melt the butter in a two-quart sauce pan. Add 1/4 cup rum, 1/4 cup banana liqueur, and sugar. Slowly bring to a rolling boil and cook until it reduces somewhat. Do not overcook. Let cool.

Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Use a skewer and poke holes all over the cake. Spoon the syrup evenly over the cake. Let stand for 30 minutes, so that the syrup soaks in.

Finally, carefully turn the cake out onto a serving plate. Dust with powdered sugar.

Serves 12

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons grated lemon peel

1/2 cup dark rum

1/4 cup banana liqueur

1 cup heavy (whipping) cream

RUM SYRUP:

5 ounces butter

1/4 cup dark rum

1/4 cup banana liqueur

3/4 cup white sugar

Powdered sugar for dusting

Recipe and editorial content from the book: "Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban"

Gibbs Smith Publisher, Copyright 2004

All Rights Reserved. No copying or commercial duplication without written permission and proper attribution.

We Show You How in Two Great Cuban cookbooks:

Havana Shirts

Only the best Cuban products! Find Cuban shirts: Great Guayaberas, Guapitas, and Cubaveras.

havana-shirts.com

Guayabera Shirts

Looking for the classic guayabera? We have a complete selection!

guayabera-shirts.com

Serrano Ham

Now you can order Serrano Ham (Jamón Serrano) from an American importer.

ham-serrano.com

Spanish Chorizo

A good Spanish chorizo is the

essential ingredient for many Latin dishes!

spanish-chorizo.com

Best Cuban Cookbook

The best Cuban Cookbooks with simple, easy-to-follow recipes for everdday meals and wonderful parties. Save 34% off list price.

bestcubancookbook.com