COOKING WITH MOM RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat. In a bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Beat eggs into 1 1/2 cups milk, then stir in 2 tablespoons melted cooled butter, if using it. Gently stir this mixture into dry ingredients, mixing only enough to moisten flour; don't worry about a few lumps. If batter seems thick, add a little more milk.
• Place a teaspoon or 2 of butter or oil on griddle or skillet. When butter foam subsides or oil shimmers, ladle batter onto griddle or skillet, making pancakes of any size you like. Adjust heat as necessary; usually, first batch will require higher heat than subsequent batches. Flip pancakes after bubbles rise to surface and bottoms brown, after 2 to 4 minutes.
• Cook until second side is lightly browned. Serve, or hold on an ovenproof plate in a 200-degree oven for up to 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch Bundt cake pan, scatter the nuts evenly into the bottom of the pan, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, oil and rum. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out with just a few crumbs attached.
• While the cake bakes, make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, rum and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
• When the cake is done, remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Using a skewer or a fork, poke holes all over the top and sides of the cake, then brush the entire cake with the glaze, repeating until all the glaze is gone. Serve warm or at room temperature. Cake keeps (and improves, some say), wrapped and refrigerated, up to 3 days.