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Rum raisins are one of the easiest things you’ll ever make, and they add so much flavor to desserts. Plain raisins soak in spiced dark rum until they turn plump, juicy, and full of warm, cozy flavor. All you need are two ingredients, a glass jar, and a little patience.

Keep a jar in your kitchen, and you’ll always be ready to add them to apple strudel, rum raisin ice cream, rice pudding, and so much more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These little raisins pack a big punch. Here’s why you’ll love them:

Just 2 ingredients. Raisins and spiced dark rum. That’s it!
No cooking needed. Just fill the jar and wait.
Plump and juicy. The raisins soak up the rum and turn soft and flavorful.
Make ahead. Keep a jar ready for whenever you need them.
So many uses. Perfect for baking, ice cream, and desserts.

A Raisin Skeptic’s Secret

If you’ve read my Apfelstrudel post, you already know my secret: I really don’t like raisins. But rum raisins are a whole different story! Once they soak in spiced rum, they turn soft, juicy, and full of flavor. They’re the only raisins I’ll happily let into my kitchen.

What Are Rum Raisins?

Rum raisins are simply raisins soaked in rum. As they sit in the jar, the dry raisins drink up the rum and become plump and juicy. They’re used a lot in German and Austrian baking, like in Apfelstrudel, sweet yeast breads, and Kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy Austrian shredded pancake. They’re also the star of rum raisin ice cream.

Ingredients You Need

You only need two simple ingredients for rum raisins. Here’s what each one does.

Raisins: Use regular dark raisins or golden raisins. Use 50 to 100 grams (about ⅓ to ⅔ cup), depending on how much you like raisins.
Spiced dark rum: Adds a warm, rich flavor with hints of vanilla and spice. You’ll need just enough to cover the raisins.

Equipment You Need

You only need one thing to make rum raisins. Here’s what I use:

Glass jar with a tight lid: A mason jar or a glass jar with a clip-top lid works perfectly. It keeps the rum from evaporating and the raisins fresh.

How to Make Rum Raisins

This is about as easy as it gets. Here’s how to make them.

Step 1: Add the raisins. Put the raisins into a clean glass jar.

Step 2: Pour in the rum. Pour the spiced dark rum over the raisins until they’re just covered. You only need a little rum on top, not a lot.

Step 3: Seal the jar. Close the jar tightly with the lid or clip-top.

Step 4: Let them soak. Let the raisins soak for at least 24 hours, or up to a week. The longer they soak, the more flavor they’ll have.

Step 5: Use them! Spoon out as many raisins as you need for your recipe.

Debbie’s Tip

Give the jar a little shake. Every now and then while the raisins soak, give the jar a gentle shake. The raisins on top can poke out of the rum as they swell up, and a quick shake helps them all soak evenly. If they’ve soaked up most of the rum, just add a little more to cover them again.

Ways to Use Rum Raisin

Once your raisins are ready, there are so many tasty ways to use them:

Apfelstrudel: The classic! They give apple strudel an amazing flavor.
Rum raisin ice cream: Stir them into homemade vanilla ice cream.
Rice pudding: Spoon them over warm German Milchreis.
Sweet breads and cakes: Add them to yeast breads, Gugelhupf, or fruit cakes.
Bread pudding: Mix them into the custard before baking.
Ice cream topping: Spoon them over vanilla ice cream with a little of the rum.

Storage

Rum raisins keep for a long time because the rum helps preserve them.

Keep them covered: Make sure the raisins stay covered with rum. Add more if needed.
Store sealed: Keep the jar tightly closed in a cool, dark pantry or in the fridge.
How long: They’ll keep for several months as long as they stay covered in rum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions I hear most about rum raisins.

How long do raisins need to soak in rum?
At least 24 hours, but up to a week gives them even more flavor.

What kind of rum is best?
Spiced dark rum gives the best, warmest flavor. Regular dark rum works too.

Can I make rum raisins without alcohol?
Yes! Soak the raisins in warm apple juice with a few drops of rum extract instead. Keep these in the fridge and use them within a week.

Are rum raisins safe for kids?
No. The rum doesn’t cook off when the raisins are used in no-bake treats like ice cream, so they still contain alcohol. Use the alcohol-free version for kids.

Can I use golden raisins?
Absolutely! Golden raisins work great and look pretty in light-colored desserts.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Put your rum raisins to good use with these recipes:

Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)

Cheers to That!

Rum raisins are proof that the simplest things can make a big difference. Just two ingredients and a little time turn plain raisins into something special. Fill a jar, tuck it in your pantry, and you’ll always have a little extra flavor ready for your next dessert.

Enjoy every bite,