Bah Rum-a Rum Rum

While fruitcake is the ubiquitous holiday gift cake, a better choice would be a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth-delicious rum cake from Rum Cakes by Kelli. A 9-inch cake — the largest size — serves 15 people (provided no one fights for a second piece, which is likely to happen). Topped with crushed almonds or pecans, the dessert isn’t dripping with rum but sweetened with it, giving you a hint in the flavorful yellow cake. Kelli Kindel makes a delightfully dense chocolate version as well, and since rum cakes are all she makes, she’s dangerously good at it. $39.95, rumcakesbykelli.com

Colorado Cool Stuff By Eric Peterson

RUM CAKES BY KELLI

Denver events maven Kelli Kindel started baking with her neighbor and friend Joan Wittenwyler in 1983. Every December for more than 20 years, they concocted all sorts of goodies to give away to friends and family; buttery, ultra-moist rum cakes were their specialty.

It was Joan’s recipe,“ Kindel says. “People accuse me of putting drugs in them because they’re so addictive.“

Wittenwyler died in 2007, and Kindel decided to share the tasty cake with the world. “I did it in honor of our friendship,“ she says.

Now Kindel splits her time between her event business and acting as “Chief Sugar Mama” for Rum Cakes by Kelli. The delectable cakes are available in two flavors – original and chocolate – and four sizes. The response has been “awesome,“ Kindel says. “We’re really looking forward to the holiday season. It’s a great gift. It won’t cost you a fortune, but it tastes like a million bucks.“

$21.95 to $39.95 retail.

Rum Cakes by Kelli, Denver, (888) 339-CAKE [2253], 
www.rumcakesbykelli.com. Also available at several Denver-area restaurants and Lola’s Sugar Rush in Littleton.