Best Italian Hangover Cake (Moist & Delicious) (2024)

Italian Hangover Cake is the ultimate hangover cure you didn't know you needed. This cake is perfectly moist and soaked in an orange and rum glaze that's tart, sweet, and a little boozy.

It's basically a rum cake, but better.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• The Perfect Adult Cake- The rum in this cake provides the "hair of the dog" element to cure that pesky hangover. If you're planning a night out with friends, do yourself a favor and make this ahead of time. Your friends will thank you!
• A Fresh Take - Italian Hangover Cake can sometimes be made with a boozy caramel sauce and bananas, like caramelized bananas but with a twist, but we love this citrusy version with fresh oranges and orange zest. This dessert would be a welcomed indulgence at Sunday brunch with friends and family. And if you love brunch as much as we do, give this recipe for Almond Flour Scones a try.
• It's Moist, Tart, and Sweet - This cake is soaked with an orange juice, rum, orange zest, and sugar glaze that is absolutely delicious. The cake stays beautifully moist and the oranges add a nice zing.
• You Don't Need a Hangover to Enjoy - Yes, this cake is intended to support you in your hangover recovery, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it! Take it to your next party to really wow your friends and family.

KEY INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CAKE

All-Purpose Flour - All-purpose flour provides the structure for this cake and gives it the perfect crumb texture.

Baking Soda - This allows the cake to rise and become light and fluffy, which helps it to soak up the delicious rum glaze.

Salt - Salt allows all the flavors in this dish to really shine.

Eggs - This recipe calls for 4 large eggs. Eggs build volume in the cake and help it to stabilize.

Granulated Sugar - We use granulated sugar in this recipe and find that it provides the right amount of sweetness and structure.

Canola Oil (or other neutral oil) - Any neutral oil will work in this recipe, but we use canola oil.

Butter - The butter in this recipe is first melted, and then cooled before being incorporated into the other ingredients.

Orange Juice - Fresh orange juice is always the best choice in a dessert where the orange is the hero of the cake. This recipe requires about 6 oranges.

Orange Zest - Zest your oranges before juicing for added ease when making this cake.

FOR THE GLAZE

Orange Juice - The orange juice in this glaze adds a bright and sweet flavor that makes this Italian Hangover Cake so delicious and unique.

Rum (dark or light) - Rum provides the "hair of the dog" that makes this a hangover cure. Dark or light rum will work great.

Orange Zest - The orange zest brings big orange flavor to the glaze and the speckles of orange enhance the overall presentation.

Powdered Sugar - This brings sweetness and body to the glaze. Powdered sugar is a must here.

HOW TO MAKE ITALIAN HANGOVER CAKE

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch Bundt cake pan; set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk together eggs and sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

Reduce the speed to low and add the oil slowly until combined, then add the butter, and mix until just combined.

Add orange juice and zest and mix until combined.

Add the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Spoon the batter into the prepared Bundt cake pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until the cake is cooked through.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for 30 minutes.

Once cooked, tap the sides of the cake pan and then turn the cake pan over, and out onto a cooling rack positioned over a piece of wax paper or parchment paper.

In a small mixing bowl, mix the orange juice, rum, zest, and sugar to make the glaze.

Pour the half of the glaze over the top of the warm cake. Allow it to site for 5 minutes, to soak in, then pour the remaining glaze over the cake.

Transfer the glazed cake to a plate, slice, and serve.

EXPERT TIPS

You can use dark rum or light rum.

Fresh orange juice is best. This recipe calls for juice from about 6 oranges.

When combining the flour mixture and the wet ingredients, you never want to overmix as this may cause the cake to be dense.

It's much easier to zest oranges before you juice them. You can zest the oranges and set it aside until you're ready to use it.

STORAGE RECOMENDATIONS

Fridge: We're fairly certain you won't have leftovers with this yummy cake, but if you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Yes, you can freeze this cake for up to a month. We find it best to freeze individual slices, that way you only need to defrost the exact amount you need. Use freezer bags.

HOW TO MAKE DAIRY FREE?

You can turn this Italian hangover cake into a dairy free dessert by switching out the butter for another vegan/dairy free butter of your choice.

You could also try coconut oil, but keep in mind that it may change the texture slightly.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AN ITALIAN HANGOVER CAKE?

We love this Italian hangover cake plain, but it's also amazing with ice cream or toppings:

Vanilla ice cream - A rich, creamy, and decadent homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream is easy to make at home with a few simple, fresh ingredients.

Candied or plain walnuts. I prefer candied, plus they are so quick to make. 1 cup of walnuts, ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Place them altogether in a skillet on medium heat and stir constantly until all the sugar is melted. Separate the nuts on a piece of parchment. Enjoy once cooled.

MORE DELICIOUS DESSERT RECIPES

Love dessert? We're sharing some of our favorites from around the world.

No Bake Biscoff Cheesecake - Velvety, silky, and easy to make with simple ingredients, this no bake Biscoff cheesecake offers a unique and delicious flavor profile for any occasion.

Tiramisu Overnight Oats - This Tiramisu Overnight Oats Recipe is super simple to make and it has all the flavors of a traditional Tiramisu, but in the form of overnight oats.

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake - It's so simple to make this Ice Cream Sandwich cake using pre-made ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping, and your favorite toppings.

No Bake Caramilk Cheesecake- Lightweight and airy, velvety white chocolate caramel cheesecake filling in a cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crust.

Low Carb Blueberry Dump Cake - There's something so comforting about a warm, fruit-filled dump cake. This Low Carb Blueberry Dump cake requires minimal effort and is packed with nutritious ingredients, making it both paleo and keto-friendly too.

We hope you give them a try.

LOOKING FOR OTHER ITALIAN RECIPES ?

Try these easy Italian dishes.

Easy Tuscan Chicken - The perfect comfort meal for your family. It's easy to make and is full of flavor. Chicken breasts are seared with Italian spices and then cooked in a delicious cream-based sauce.

Chicken Fritta - Learn to make this copycat Olive Garden Chicken Fritta at home using only a handful of ingredients. Nothing says comfort-food quite like pasta with chicken, and this crispy chicken fritta recipe not only delivers BIG on comfort, but on flavor as well.

Keto Lasagna - Sliced zucchini stands in for pasta in this amazing recipe for Keto Lasagna that has all of the flavor and cheese that you love in an Italian comfort food dish.

Keto Eggplant Parmesan - A classic Italian style comfort dish, that is saucy, cheesy, low carb, and delicious. This meal is wonderful to serve a crowd and everyone will rave about it.

Keto Chicken Parmesan - Tender chicken cutlets, breaded with keto crumbs and pan-fried before being baked to perfection with mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.

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