Chocolate, Nuts and Booze oh my!

I got this recipe ages ago from my sister-in-law Mindy. This year I made it to take to our neighborhood holiday dinner at the Italian American Social Club - we had quite a turnout this year - 45! A few people bring desserts to share and since I'm busy packing I decided to keep out my bundt pan and make this quick doctored up cake from a mix. I know - shocking huh. I have 2 cakes like this that I make; the other is a Harvey Wallbanger cake - and if you're really good maybe I'll share this one too. This year I didn't have any pecans on hand but I did have some almonds so being the creative person I am I decided to use those and some amaretto liquor. Since I'm cleaning out cabinets I realized I had 2 bottles of Frangelico ( must have been on sale!) and used that instead. So that was my combo - and I didn't care for it. Maybe the amaretto would've been better, but I'm sticking to the original combo of pecans and rum. I guess you never know until you try - so don't be afraid to mix things up, just remember to forgive yourself if it's not so great.

Chocolate Pecan Rum Cake

3/4 cup pecans lightly chopped

1 small package chocolate pudding mix

1 box chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup rum

4 eggs

Mix all except pecans together. Butter the bottom of a bundt pan and spread out the pecans. Pour the cake batter and bake about 45 min at 350 degrees. Keep it in the pan and poke holes in with a long skewer. Pour over the hot rum sauce. When completely cool turn out onto a plate. Keep the kiddies away - it packs a punch!

1/2 cup sugar

1 stick butter

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup rum - boil all but the rum for 3 min. Add rum at the end then turn off heat.

Post Note: About 13 years ago I sent in a request to Martha Stewart to give me a recipe to replace a cake mix as I had these 2 great recipes that called for a mix and I never normally use them. I ended up getting a call from one of her producers who wanted to have me on TV and call in the question! I was very excited - but it never panned out - and I didn't even get the recipe!