Description
Jamaican Black Cake is a rich, spiced Caribbean dessert made with wine-soaked fruits, burnt sugar, and warm spices. It’s the centerpiece treat for holidays, weddings, and special celebrations. Make it ahead and let the deep, bold flavors develop. Try the recipe today and share your results!
Ingredients
Fruit Blend
8 oz pitted dried prunes (about 1 ¼ cups)
5 oz raisins (about 1 cup)
5 oz golden raisins (about 1 cup)
5 oz dried cherries (about 1 cup)
2 ¾ cups grape juice or fruit punch, divided
Cake Batter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¾ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp salt
½ lb (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 ¼ cups dark brown sugar
5 large eggs
1 tbsp lime juice + zest from one lime
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
2 tbsp browning sauce
2 tbsp burnt sugar
Prepared fruit blend
Instructions
In a large airtight container, combine prunes, raisins, golden raisins, dried cherries, and 2 ½ cups of grape juice or fruit punch. Cover and let soak for at least 5 days (up to several months). If soaking long-term, top off with more juice as needed. Blend the soaked fruits into a smooth paste when ready.
Step 2: Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 250°F (121°C). Line and grease a 10-inch cake pan.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, breadcrumbs, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a stand mixer, cream the butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Step 5: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Add eggs one at a time. Stir in lime juice, zest, vanilla, and almond extract.
Step 6: Combine and Fold
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, then fold in the blended fruit mixture, browning, and burnt sugar.
Step 7: Bake
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 2.5 hours or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool and Soak
Let cake cool for 20 minutes in the pan, then remove and drizzle with remaining ¼ cup juice. Cool overnight to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
Soak fruits for at least 5 days; longer soaking gives deeper flavor.
You can substitute grape juice or fruit punch for an alcohol-free version.
Store well-wrapped for up to a month in the fridge or freeze up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes + 5 days (for soaking fruits)
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 584
- Sugar: 54g
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Protein: 5g