A Sentimental Heart

Christmas Eve was my Grandma Maxine's birthday. Every year some cluster of our extended family would gather to celebrate her.  On her 90th, which was her last birthday, we brought her home to the house she built with my grandfather and made her a special birthday dinner.  My cousin Erin brought her delicious Rum Cake, a treat her other Grandmother, Flo, used to make.  I asked her for the recipe yesterday and she reminded me that December 24th has become a very sentimental day for her, as it was both our late Grandmother's birthday and the day she lost her Grandma Flo. Since this is the time of year that we look back, and create and recreate traditions, I thought I'd share the recipe today.  xoxo Happy Christmas

Grandma Flo's Rum Cake

1 yellow cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding (3.4oz)
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
3/4 cup rum (light or dark)plus 1/2 cup for glaze
1/4 cup walnuts or pecan (optional)
1 cup sugar
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup water


Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease 10" bundt pan
*If using walnuts or pecans, sprinkle them into bundt pan.

Directions:
Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, rum & oil, mixing well.
Bake 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool in pan and prepare glaze.

For Glaze: In a saucepan melt butter, stir in water and sugar and bring to a boil.
Remove glaze from heat and stir in rum, pour glaze over cake while in pan. Allow cake to cool and invert onto serving plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.