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Indulge Guilt-Free: The Ultimate Lightened-Up Puerto Rican Rum Cake Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a homemade dessert to bring friends and family together, especially during holidays or special occasions. This past Father’s Day weekend, I knew I wanted to create something memorable – a dish that would surprise and delight, tapping into that sweet spot between indulgent flavor and thoughtful nutrition. That’s how this skinny, lightened-up Puerto Rican rum cake became my ultimate saving grace, earning rave reviews without anyone suspecting its healthier twist.

My secret? I often enjoy presenting healthier versions of classic dishes without giving away all my culinary secrets upfront. It’s a playful game, waiting to see if anyone notices the subtle modifications. As they take their first bites, I’ll watch their faces, hoping for that tell-tale “smize” – a smile in their eyes that confirms my mission is accomplished. So far, no one has ever declared my creations taste “funny” or “missing something.” Once the compliments start rolling in, I reveal that the dish is actually on the healthier side, explaining how I’ve ‘snatched’ the recipe and made it more waistline-friendly. The response is almost always the same: “I don’t believe you; this tastes too good!” That unwavering enthusiasm is what truly fuels my motivation to share delicious, healthy recipes with you every single week.

The Secret to a Guilt-Free Indulgence: Our Skinny Rum Cake

Creating a dessert that satisfies a sweet tooth while adhering to a healthier lifestyle can be a challenge. Traditional rum cakes are notoriously rich, often packed with sugar and calories. My goal was to develop a recipe that captures all the vibrant, intoxicating flavors of a classic Puerto Rican rum cake but with significantly lighter nutritional values. And I’m thrilled to say, this recipe hits all the right notes!

Each delectable slice of this lightened-up Puerto Rican rum cake offers a delightful balance of flavor and fewer calories, making it a perfect choice for any occasion where you want to enjoy a treat without overdoing it.

Approximate Per Serving Macros: Cal: 216 Fat: 7G Net Carbs: 36G Protein: 4G

This recipe proves that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health. By making smart substitutions and focusing on quality ingredients, we can enjoy our favorite desserts with a little less guilt.

Crafting Your Masterpiece: Step-by-Step Preparation

Preparing this skinny Puerto Rican rum cake is a straightforward process, ensuring a perfect result every time. The key steps involve properly preparing your bundt pan, mixing the cake ingredients, and then baking to golden perfection.

The journey to a perfect rum cake begins with the right foundation. Grease and flour your bundt cake pan generously to prevent sticking. Then, for an extra layer of flavor and texture, sprinkle chopped pecans evenly throughout the bottom of the pan. Don’t worry, these will form a beautiful, toasted crust on top of your finished cake.

Next, combine all the cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat the batter on high speed for approximately two minutes, ensuring everything is well incorporated and smooth. This step is crucial for achieving that light and airy texture. Once the batter is ready, pour it carefully into your prepared bundt pan, making sure to cover the layer of pecans. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely divine!

The Smart Swap: Choosing Sugar-Free Cake Mix

One of the primary ways I “lighten up” my recipes, especially desserts, is by making thoughtful ingredient swaps. For this Puerto Rican rum cake, my focus was squarely on reducing sugar content without compromising the cake’s delightful sweetness and texture. This was my first time venturing into using a sugar-free cake mix, and the results were truly impressive.

Typically, when developing a new recipe, I meticulously brainstorm various ways to modify or even eliminate ingredients that contribute heavily to calories or unhealthy fats. With cakes and other desserts, sugar is almost always the main culprit behind sky-high calorie counts and excessive sugar grams. Initially, I drafted a list of ingredients, and upon reviewing the macros, it became clear that the majority of the sugar came directly from the yellow cake mix itself.

My initial plan involved adding more sugar during preparation, which seemed counterproductive to my goal. Why did the cake mix already contain so much? This realization prompted an immediate search for reduced-sugar options. That’s when I discovered a fantastic sugar-free yellow cake mix – I personally used Pillsbury for this recipe, and it worked wonderfully. Don’t hesitate to explore this option; it’s a game-changer for healthier baking and helps maintain the authentic taste without the added sugar load.

The Heart of the Flavor: Don Q Puerto Rican Rum

No Puerto Rican rum cake would be complete without authentic, high-quality rum, and for this recipe, I had the pleasure of partnering with the wonderful folks at Don Q. They generously provided the rum, allowing me to sample four distinct types of their exquisite Puerto Rican rums. Each had its unique character and was absolutely delicious, making the selection process a delightful challenge. Ultimately, I chose Don Q Añejo for this particular creation, and it proved to be a fabulous decision. Its rich, smooth profile pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the cake, infusing every bite with a sophisticated depth of flavor.

Don Q rums are celebrated for their heritage and craftsmanship, originating from the Serrallés family distillery in Ponce, Puerto Rico, which has been producing rum for over 150 years. The Añejo variety, specifically, is a blend of rums aged for three to ten years in American white oak barrels, giving it a complex aroma with notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits. This nuanced character is exactly what elevates this rum cake from simply good to truly exceptional, providing that signature warmth and robust rum flavor that is both potent and perfectly balanced, never overwhelming.

The Irresistible Rum Butter Glaze: A Flavorful Finish

While the cake itself is a masterpiece, the rum butter glaze is truly my favorite part of this entire recipe. It’s the crowning jewel that imbues the cake with its signature moistness and an intense burst of rum flavor. The magic happens when you apply the warm glaze using a cooking brush, allowing it to seep directly into every pore of the freshly baked cake. This method ensures that the rum flavor penetrates deeply, creating an incredibly rich and aromatic experience with every single bite.

For the best possible results, I highly recommend making your cake well in advance of when you plan to serve it. The longer the cake sits after you’ve generously applied the glaze, the more time the rum has to truly meld and deepen its flavor within the cake. This “aging” process allows the rum to become more pronounced and harmonious, transforming the cake into an even more exquisite dessert. This cake was such a hit at my gathering; the flavor of Don Q Añejo is potent enough to make a statement but perfectly balanced, ensuring it’s never overwhelming. You’ll find yourself reaching for just one more slice!

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Disclosure: I was supplied products in exchange for this post. All opinions are entirely my own.

Skinny, Lightened-Up Puerto Rican Rum Cake with Butter Glaze

By Brandi Crawford

Skinny, Lightened-Up Puerto Rican Rum Cake with Butter Glaze makes the Caribbean perfect guilt-free dessert perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Average Rating: 4.92 from 12 votes

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Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 14

Calories: 216 kcal

Ingredients

Cake

1 box sugar-free yellow cake mix
¼ cup pecans, chopped
4 eggs
1 box sugar-free instant vanilla pudding
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup cold water
½ cup Don Q rum

Glaze

3 tablespoon butter
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
½ cup Don Q rum

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly.
Sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly throughout the bottom of the pan.
In a mixing bowl, combine all the cake ingredients: sugar-free yellow cake mix, eggs, sugar-free instant vanilla pudding, unsweetened applesauce, cold water, and Don Q rum. Beat the batter on high speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
Carefully pour the cake batter into the prepared bundt pan, ensuring it covers the pecans.
Bake for 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire baking rack for 10-15 minutes.
After cooling slightly, invert the pan onto a serving plate and gently remove the cake.

Glaze

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the water and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the Don Q rum.
Using a cooking brush, generously spread the warm glaze over the entire surface of the cooled cake, ensuring it seeps into all the crevices and down the sides.
Serve and enjoy! For enhanced rum flavor, allow the cake to sit for several hours or overnight after glazing.

Notes

For the deepest and most developed rum flavor, I recommend preparing your cake well in advance of when you plan to enjoy it. The longer the cake is allowed to sit after glazing, the more intensely the rum flavor will permeate and mature throughout the cake, resulting in an even more delicious experience.

Nutrition

Calories: 216 kcal

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Nutrition Data

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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I hope you enjoy this healthier take on a classic Puerto Rican rum cake as much as my friends and family do. It’s truly a delight to share recipes that bring joy and flavor without compromising on your health goals. Happy baking!