Caribbean Rum Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3.4-ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix (not sugar-free)*
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup rum, plain or spiced
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon butter-rum flavor, optional
• 1/4 cup almond flour, for dusting baking pan, optional
• Syrup:
• 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract