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If you are Guyanese, you know that there is no Christmas without black cake. Black Cake is also referred to as Fruit Cake or Christmas cake in some parts of the Caribbean; but in Guyana the two are not the same as they do differ in terms of texture and composition. It is a rich and moist cake that consists of any fruit combination of your choice such as raisins, prunes, cherries, and mixed peel. Traditionally, these fruits are pulverized then soaked in alcohol months before Christmas. The dark rich color of black cake comes from the addition of caramelized sugar, and its moist texture is maintained by the addition of wine or rum. Growing up, I do not think I have ever had a Christmas without black cake. Besides Christmas, black cake is traditional at weddings, and a slice must be kept for one year to devour on a couple’s first anniversary.
My grandma Irma makes the best black cake; it is moist, flavorful and heavenly. In my opinion, the process of making black cake is not difficult but not everyone knows how to make a GREAT black cake. I can only hope to one day perfect her recipe. I tweaked Grandma Irma’s recipe by using a bit more fruits. If you are unable to soak your fruits months prior, grandma taught me an alternative method of ‘stewing fruits’ in alcohol. This means cooking it on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes to infuse all the alcohol into the fruits. This method can be done a few days prior to baking. This is an easy alternative if you have busy schedules. I do hope this recipe revives happy memories and it fills your home with joy.
Note: I did this awesome black cake recipe in collaboration with my friend Taio from Thyme & Chive, so check us out on her YouTube. GRANDMA IRMA’S BLACK CAKE | HOW TO MAKE CARIBBEAN FRUIT/BLACK/RUM CAKE | thyme and chive
How do I like my Black Cake
Grandma Irma did not put currants in her black cake and I do the same; I love the way it tastes without it. Also, I do not like a lot of sugar in my black cake. It’s just a personal preference. Taste your batter to determine if additional sugar is needed. I generally don’t like nuts in my black cake but you can add nuts as well. You can put some rum into your cake batter if you want; I personally pour a lot of rum on top instead.
Helpful Tips for making Black Cake
- Remove the chalazae (white string part) from the eggs. Grandma Irma specifically instructed me to do so as she referred to it as the ‘embryo’. This removes the rank smell from the eggs. Alternatively, you can use lemon zest.
- Crack your eggs into a separate bowl before adding to the creamed butter. Add eggs bit by bit to avoid curdling. You can also add all the spices and extracts into the eggs then incorporate into butter.
- No need for baking powder since you are using 12 eggs. It does the job.
- Grandma Irma covered her black cake for the first 1 hour of baking with foil for it to steam and cook.
- Burnt sugar is sold in most Caribbean markets.
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- Just a preference, I love to use fresh spices mostly in my black cake instead of the already grounded store-bought ones.
- Cover your black cake with a kitchen towel to cool after pouring the rum to retain the moisture.
Storage and maintaining moisture
Store on a cake stand with a lid or in a tightly closed container and add a bit of rum every 3 days to retain moisture./p>
- Author: FoodieNotAChef
- Prep Time: 30-45 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: Two 9-inch round pans 1x
Description
A classic Guyanese holiday cake recipe that is rich in fruits and rum. It is so moist and delectable. After one bite you will certainly admit.
Scale
Ingredients
Fruits:
- 1½ lb. raisins
- 1 lb. prunes
- 1 lb. cherries
- 1 lb. mixed peel
Wine Suggestions for Soaking or Stewing Fruits:
- 1/3 bottle Port Wine (Presidential Porto Tawny)
- 1/3 bottle Manischewitz blackberry Wine
Creaming:
- 4 sticks of butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
Other Ingredients
- 3 tsp rosewater
- 1½ tsp cinnamon or 4 cinnamon sticks grinded
- 2 nutmeg grated
- ½ tsp almond essence
- 3 tsp mixed essence
- 1 tsp anise essence
- 12 eggs (embryo removed)
- 1 lb. all purpose flour (3 1/3 cups)
- 2 tbsp. Jamaican burnt sugar (Caramel Liquid)
- Rum (El Dorado)
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender add ½ of each fruit (raisins, prunes, cherries, and mixed peel) then a bit of water. Pulse until a smooth paste is formed. Repeat with second ½ of fruits. Soak fruits in Port Wine and Sherry Wine for a few weeks before baking. Alternative method: “Stew” your blended fruits on medium heat with the Port and Sherry wine for 15 minutes (mixing periodically to ensure it does not stick to pan) then allow to cool completely (let it cool for at least 5 hours).
- Crack eggs then add rose water, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond essence, mixed essence, aniseed essence. Mix.
- Manually by hand or mixer, whip the butter and brown sugar until it is light and fluffy
- Add egg mixture gradually into creamed butter to avoid curdling while mixing on medium speed.
- Transfer mixture into a bowl then add flour. Mix well. Add fruits. Mix well. Add burnt sugar. Mix well.
- Preheat oven to 300℉ for the first hour then reduce the heat to 275 ℉.
- Grease and line your pans; then evenly distribute your cake batter into both pans.
- Cover the cake with foil paper for the first hour of baking then remove. Bake for an additional 45 mins-1 hour. Using a toothpick, pierce the center of the cake, if it comes out clear then it’s done.
- Pour rum on top of the cake immediately after removing from the oven.
- Cover the cake with a dish towel and allow to cool before removing from the pan.
- Category: Appetizer
