I keep a quart of Myer's Rum on the shelf that has 5-6 vanilla beans sitting in it. As they dissolve, I add more. But if you don't have this made up in advance, you'll get by with the teaspoon of vanilla in this recipe. This is a good, rich cake for the Holidays. It has enough flavor to be served on its own as a dessert, or top it off with a splash of rum-flavored whipped cream or add a topping of peaches with a decadent scoop of vanilla ice cream sprinkled with vanilla sugar or brickle.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease and flour lightly a 10 inch tube or Bundt pan.
Mix together flour and baking powder in a small bowl or on a sheet of silicone or wax paper.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until it becomes light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and rum, mixing well.
Gradually add the flour and baking powder mixture, then continue beating on medium speed for 10 minutes.
Transfer batter to pan; level off with spatula and bake for 55 minutes at 350°F or until cake tests done.
Remove cake from oven and let cool for 3-5 minutes, then run a butter knife along edges of pan, if necessary, to free the cake from the sides. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
Note: If you don't have cake flour on hand, all purpose flour (not bread flour) may be substituted, but in that case, beat for only 2 minutes after flour has been added. The cake will be good, but not nearly as tender as it would be if the cake flour was used.
Submitted by: CM
