Like other cocktail hour faves, rum works equally well in and out of the glass. This collection of 20 rum-spiked recipes features all sorts of sweet and savory eats that you can enjoy judgment-free all day long. And if rum isn’t your booze of choice, be sure to check out our other collections featuring foods made with bourbon, wine and beer. Cheers!
1. Piña Colada Cake: A slice of this sky-high cake is just what you need after getting caught in the rain. Its appearance coupled with a slew of tropical vacay flavors is bound to put a smile on your face. (via Technicolor Kitchen)
2. Zabaione Trifle With Blackberries and Coffee-Flavored Sponge Cake: Each spoonful of this custard, sponge cake and fruit combo will delight the senses. The blackberries pop with flavor and crunch against the creamy elements, making this one superb, rum-tastic treat. (via Koki Doo)
3. Roasted Pumpkin Ice Cream: It’s hard enough to resist a scoop of creamy vanilla bean and dark rum ice cream. Add a sweet, spiced homemade roasted pumpkin puree to the mix and don’t be surprised if you become totally powerless in the face of this dessert. (via White on Rice Couple)
4. Caribbean Chicken: Smokey, sweet and ever-so-slightly charred, this chicken is out-of-this-world. Even better? It cooks up on the stovetop in your cast iron skillet, no grill required. (via Strictly Delicious)
5. Rum Broiled Grapefruit: Grapefruit halves get a welcome makeover with a brush of dark rum and a brûléed brown sugar topping. They’re spiced up with a unique combo of cinnamon and cayenne. Dig in for instant warmth. (via Saveur)
6. Sweet Potato Rum Roll Cake: Here, the cake, filling AND pecan praline frosting all benefit from a splash of rum. And speaking of the filling, doesn’t a combo of cream, marshmallow fluff, dark rum and pecans beaten until fluffy sound absolutely divine? (via F + B)
7. Coconut Cream Rum and Chocolate Mousse Crepe Cake: Alternating layers of chocolate mousse and coconut cream create a tantalizing, 20-crepe-tall layer cake that is as wonderful to behold as it is to eat. Once the first slice is removed, trust that the rest will soon follow suit and disappear before your eyes. (via Half Baked Harvest)
8. Bundy and Coke Braised Ribs: Rum and coke provide a sticky-sweet glaze to these fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, which are perfectly balanced by a sprinkle of brightly flavored gremolata. Baked in the oven, they’re a great way to bring ribs inside when it’s too chilly for grilling. (via Hotly Spiced)
9. Apple Spice Cake With Rum Buttercream: With notes of spiced toffee and caramel, the smell of this cake alone is enough to draw you in. The crowning touch is definitely the luxurious rum buttercream and garnish of crispy apple chips arranged just so on top. (via In Cookie Haven)
10. Chocolate-Almond Babka: Bittersweet chocolate, pops of chopped almond, spices and rum fill this incredible bread-meets-cake creation topped with a buttery streusel topping. (via Batter + Dough)
11. Pineapple Pancake With Spiced Rum Caramel Sauce (Vegan): Coconut cream serves a twofold purpose in this homemade caramel. It not only makes a totally vegan-yet-creamy sauce, but also gives these pineapple and macadamia pancakes an extra layer of tropical flavor. (via 84th + 3rd)
12. Chicken Kebabs With Spicy Rum Marinade: Basting kebabs with a sweet-spicy-rum sauce is the key to creating this wonderfully moist and flavorful chicken. (via Culinary Cool)
13. Rum Cake: Who knows how long those boxed rum cakes have been sitting on the shelves? Make this stellar copycat instead for an unquestionably fresh experience. Spiked with a buttery rum sauce, it’s a great way switch up your pound cake game. (via Always Order Dessert)
14. Rum Spiked Soft Caramels: These salted, rum-spiked caramels would make a wonderful homemade gift. There’s just one problem… they are so delicious it may be impossible to part with even a single piece of candy. (via Will Cook for Friends)
15. Tiramisu (Gluten-Free): A few ingredient swaps and a batch of homemade, gluten-free ladyfingers makes this gorgeous tiramisu far less of an indulgence than most, though no less delicious. (via Desserts With Benefits)
16. Rum and Lime Chicken Cigarillos With Coriander Salsa: Phyllo dough creates a wonderfully crisp and flaky wrapper for these tempting, tortilla-free flautas. (via The Kitchen Alchemist)
17. Baked Brie With Rum Soaked Fig Cranberry Sauce: Set out this gorgeous round of melty brie with rum-tastic fig sauce for your next holiday gathering. It’s sure to bring all your guests together around the table. (via Pass the Sushi)
18. Teardrop, Tart-Hearted Coco Donuts: A single, fresh raspberry is tucked inside of these delicious donuts. It could stop there, but a dusting of powered sugar and dip in a dark-rum-salted-caramel sauce takes this chocolatey bite to the next level. (via Lady and Pups)
19. Chocolate Rum Balls: A predecessor to the oh-so-popular cake pop, these no-bake, rum-spiked balls are a cross between a truffle and brownie. What’s not to like about that? (via Køkken)
20. Mini Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos With Boozy Tropical Salsa: Enjoy these shrimp tacos topped with a bright, pineapple-papaya-mango salsa year-round. Their petite size makes them perfect party fare, but they’ll also satisfy a full-size appetite. (via Katie at the Kitchen Door)
Have you ever cooked with rum? What’s your favorite way to use it outside of a cocktail? Share your secrets with us below!
