Ginger and Rum

My dear friend and neighbor Kathleen lost her mother in law this past summer. At the reception at Coronado Yacht Club, they served her mother-in-law's favorite cake: Rum cake.

Kathleen raved about it and insisted that we try it--and yes, it WAS moist and delicious. Kathleen also explained how she had been trying to get the recipe FOR YEARS from the woman who makes these cakes...but she refused to give up the recipe...it is SO popular that the baker sold the cakes to The Hotel Del Coronado who sells slices (most likely for $$$$$$ because it IS The Hotel Del...)....

ok, back to the story : Yum for the Rum cake--- Boo for not having the recipe.

Enter chit chatty me.  

 

I sit down at a table to eat the cake with my husband and begin talking to this sweet couple sitting with us and explain the entire story about the cake to Ginger and her husband (whom I later discover was Miss Coronado back in the day). Ginger informs me that SHE indeed has this Rum Cake Recipe....fast forward a week later when I receive the recipe for the Rum cake from Ginger in the mail. How thoughtful of Ginger to remember that I wanted the recipe (actually, I REALLY wanted the recipe for Kathleen, who, still is amazed that I was able to obtain the recipe on my first try!)...must be the thought of a challenge and my competitive nature...

It is now September and it's Kathleen's birthday today! I begin thinking last week of what cake I should make..my red velvet? my snickerdoodle?....ah ha! I knew EXACTLY the cake I should make!

Well, I think I know why the recipe was never shared: it's EASY and it uses a yellow cake mix. Who wants to admit the use a cake mix for a recipe and sell it for mucho dinero at The Hotel Del???  

I'm here today to share this VERY old recipe with you and if you are ever at The Hotel Del, you can tell them that you know the secret rum cake recipe, given straight to you from Miss Coronado herself (via a chit chatty guest at a funeral reception, that is).

The Hotel Del's Rum Cake

For the cake: Mix together:

 

1 box yellow cake mix

1 box (3.5oz) vanilla pudding

4 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup dark rum (80 proof)...side note: the recipe did not say which rum to use, so I consulted a rum expert. His advice was to use Myers Dark Rum--"not good for drinking, but flavor would carry through with baking"

1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

Grease and flour (who does this anymore? I just used my baking spray that contains the flour in it...but for the sake of history, I've kept the wording the same) 10 or 12 inch bundt pan

Sprinkle nuts on bottom, pour in cake mix

Bake at 325 for 40-60 minutes (test it with a cake prick which should come out clean!)

Invert onto baking rack and prick cake 

For the glaze:

1 stick butter (make it real please, none of that margarine crap-ola)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup rum

Melt butter; mix in sugar and water. Bring to boil, stirring constantly for 5 minutes; Remove from heat add in rum

Pour over pricked cake and allow to cool.

Enjoy!!

Will post photos from tonight's celebration!

Muchas Gracias Tasha--part uno.

My good friend Tasha surprised me with some bento supplies from her trip to Orange County this past weekend. This is VERY exciting as I have been really wanting to purchase more supplies, but do to a refinance of our house have been on "spending hold" per the husband.

I will be debuting some new bento creations with them. Today, I'd like to share the new bento box and the mini-sandwich press (LOVE this).

These adorable triangle bento boxes are perfect sizes for toddlers (the  blue which Grant deemed as his, the pink one Gwen informed me was hers because, "I like pink ones")  They are two tiered, with one of the tiers having a covered compartment, which I always find useful.  Inside the covered compartments, I packed pears and watermelon:

Inside the top portion of the bento was their carrots, string cheese-- I cut one in half and give half to each kid because they never finish a whole one--and, they fit better in the bento boxes this way  :)  as well as shelled edamame.  They also received a "treat" of yogurt covered raisins.  The MOST exciting part of the bento was their turkey and colby cheese elephant sandwich, made with the neat sandwich press from Tasha.  How adorable is that?!!??!

Now, I'm new to this "pinning" thing that everyone seems to be into these days but I do think it's a neat way to organize your ideas and wish-lists etc. So, if you'd like to follow what I'm thinking..."follow" me on

Pinterest

Stayed tuned to for the other goodies from Tasha...