Christmas is a beloved holiday in the tropical Jamaica even though there’s no snow. In fact, with the Caribbean being a very christian region, Christmas is the most celebrated holiday of the year! And it’s not a Jamaican Christmas until the entire family comes together and enjoys their Christmas dinner followed by a slice of rich chocolate cake with fruits. The responsibility of the baking this cake is given to the best baker/cook in the family.
There are various slightly different recipes in each family passed down generations. The basics for black cake, however, remains the same. Here is our take on the famous black cake that’s easy to make and sure to bring a little warmth to your Christmas celebrations.
- 750 ml red wine sweet dessert wine
- 450 g mixed fruits e.g. prunes, currants, dried cherries, raisins
- 450 g margarine
- 450 g brown sugar
- 4 medium eggs 6 if eggs are small
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1/2 tsp almond flavouring
- 750 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp mixed spice cinnamon, all spice
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp nutmeg
- 6 tbsp Grace Browning optional, see notes
- Soak the fruit in the wine at least overnight (ideally 5 days) in an airtight glass jar.
- Cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla essence and almond flavouring.
- Combine all purpose flour, mixed spice, baking powder and nutmeg.
- Divide the flour mixture into three and liquid into two.
- Fold the flour mixture into the creamed mixture alternately with the Grace Browning, red wine and mixed fruits.
- Scrape into a greased and lined 30 cm baking tin. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 180 °C / 350 °F or until a metal skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool, slice and serve.
Grace Browning is used in Jamaican cuisine to deepen the colour of fruit cakes or spiced buns as well as adding more flavour to meat dishes. It comes together quickly and easily by combining brown sugar, hot water and salt.
Get all the ingredients you need at Farmy!
What do you think?