Origin of a Classic: Bermudian Rum Cake

The rum of choice on the island of Bermuda is often their very own Gosling’s Bermuda Black Seal RumThe local business celebrated its bicentennial in 2006 and takes center stage in Sweet Saak’s rum cake.

Some of the bakery’s other confections are made from treasured family recipes. But the family rum cake recipe had a little too much “just a pinch of this and a dash of that” to be made consistently for sale—not to mention the kind of multi-day rum soaking that would give you a jolt as soon as you caught a whiff—so Kamilah developed her own recipe, and patrons love it. The base of her version is a straightforward yellow cake that allows the rum to show off. “Being Bermudian I tend to prefer Black Seal Rum. It is a very strong and flavorful rum, and I like the flavor match with the cake itself. When the rum is introduced to a cake that has sugar in it, the sweetness actually turns down the sharpness of the rum,” she explains, noting that another contributing factor in her rum choice is island pride.

This family-run bakeshop is equally known—and loved—for hot commodities such as cinnamon buns, cakes, breads, and more. From the outside, the stark-white, two-story building is unassuming. But one step through the door and guests are greeted with the smells of freshly baked goods and smiles from the staff, smiles that are even brighter than the pink aprons they wear. On any given day, Kamilah’s father might be found baking bread, her brother a pie, and her mother making some candies. Their motto “Welcome to the Family” couldn’t be more fitting as they make each guest feel right at home. And though Sweet Saak is only ten years old (young by Bermudian standards), it’s that approach—modern, yet homey and classic—that makes their black Bermudian Rum Cake an island stand-out.

Order from the Pros: 
Here are two mail-order rum cakes that deliver a taste of Bermuda right to your home.

Horton’s
Linda Horton closely guards the secret recipe for the Original Horton’s Bermuda Black Rum Cakes. But rest assured they are drenched in rich, black rum.
hortons.bm; $38.50

Bermuda Rum Cake Company
Located at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda Rum Cake Company offers rum cakes in flavors ranging from banana to coconut to black rum fruit cake.
dockglass.com; from $15.95

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