How to Make Jamaican Christmas Cake (Black Cake) 🎄

Jamaican Christmas Cake Recipe (Also Known as Black Cake) Jamaican Christmas Cake is a rich and flavorful treat traditionally enjoyed during the holiday season. Here's a classic recipe to guide you through making this festive dessert. Ingredients Fruit Mixture (Prepare Ahead) 1 lb raisins 1 lb prunes 1 lb currants 1 cup mixed peel 2 cups red wine 1 cup rum Cake Batter 1 lb butter (softened) 1 lb dark brown sugar 9 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp almond extract 2 tsp lime or lemon zest 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon powder 1 tsp nutmeg powder ½ tsp ground allspice ½ tsp salt For Browning (Color and Flavor) ½ cup browning sauce (available in Caribbean stores or homemade by caramelizing sugar) Optional Garnishes Cherries and pecans for decoration Instructions Step 1: Prepare the Fruits Chop the raisins, prunes, and currants into smaller pieces. Combine all the fruits and mixed peel in a bowl, then soak in red wine and rum. Cover and let sit for at least one week or up to several months for a richer flavor. Step 2: Make the Cake Batter Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line baking pans with parchment paper or grease thoroughly. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add Eggs: Crack eggs into the mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract, almond extract, and lime zest. Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Step 4: Add Fruits and Browning Blend or finely chop the soaked fruits into a paste-like consistency. Gently fold the fruit mixture into the batter. Add browning sauce to achieve the desired deep, rich color. Step 5: Bake the Cake Pour the batter into prepared pans, filling them about ¾ full. Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Step 6: Add Rum Soak (Optional) After cooling, brush the cake with additional rum. Wrap tightly in foil and store for at least a day to enhance the flavor. Serving and Storage Decorate with cherries or pecans if desired. Serve slices as a dessert or with a cup of tea. Properly stored, this cake can last for weeks and even improve in flavor over time. Enjoy your Jamaican Christmas Cake! 🎄