What's in the Drink?

• The butter in hot buttered rum provides a creamy flavor that helps mellow the bite of the alcohol. The sugar sweetens up the drink, while the spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, are a finishing touch that add a hint of complex background flavor. However, there are many ways to make the drink. Simmer the sweetened and spiced rum with vanilla ice cream instead of butter for an extra creamy touch. Add natural sweeteners, such as honey, to give the drink an earthy flavor. Omit the spices to give it a simple flavor.

Cake Will Do

• Serve hot buttered rum with plain sponge cake or angel food cake for a light dessert that lets the cocktail take center stage. Serve caramel pecan cheesecake at dessert time for a more indulgent touch. Drizzle pineapple upside-down cake with caramel sauce for a tropical-themed dessert. Top an apricot-crumble coffeecake with white icing for an old fashioned treat that complements the classic rum cocktail.

Perfect With Pie

• Store-bought or homemade, a slice of pie is a natural next to a mug of hot buttered rum. Serve the drink with pecan pie for an extra-sweet treat, or try it with pumpkin pie for a classic dessert. Add canned apple pie filling to a premade pie crust and bake for a simple sweet that tastes homemade. Bake canned mincemeat, which is a mixture of minced dried fruits, liquor and spices, in a homemade pie crust for a richly flavored dessert that holds its own against the strong taste of the buttered rum.

Sophisticated Cupcakes

• Hot buttered rum enhances the flavor of decorated cupcakes as much as any party drink. The only difference is that the flavor and decorations for the cupcakes need to match the sophisticated, not to mention adult, nature of the rum cocktail. Decorate cinnamon-pumpkin cupcakes with caramel frosting and candy pumpkins for a fall-themed treat that echoes the spices in the drink. Cover apple-raisin cupcakes with a drizzle of white icing and top each one with a dried apple slices for a mellow taste that balances the sharp rum flavor.

Tantalizing Tarts

• Sweet fruits and nuts are the key ingredients for making tarts that pair well with hot buttered rum. Fill a tart crust with apricot marmalade, diced walnuts and smoked Gouda cheese for a gourmet dessert that adds a sophisticated twist to the warm drink. Load small tart crusts with diced apples and walnuts tossed in a lemon glaze for desserts with zip. Layer a large tart crust with peaches, pecans and raisins to give the cocktail an extra-sweet twist.