CAKE:

1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
1 (18 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix
1 (3 3/4 oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. dark rum (80 proof)
4 eggs
1/2 c. cold water

(If using yellow cake mix with pudding already in mix - omit instant pudding, use 3 eggs instead of 4, 1/3 cup oil instead of 1/2).

GLAZE:

1/4 lb. butter
1/4 c. water
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. dark rum (80 proof)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 10-inch tube pan. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan. Mix all cake ingredients together. Pour batter over nuts. Bake 1 hour. Cool. Invert on serving plate. Prick top. Spoon and brush glaze evenly over top and sides. Allow cake to absorb glaze. Repeat until glaze is used up.

GLAZE:

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in rum. OPTIONAL: Decorate with border of sugar frosting or whipped cream.