Caribbean Christmas fruit cake/ black cake/rum cake (Shermz Paradize Cakes)

Soaked fruit quantity

 1 lb raisins
 1 lb prunes
 4-8 oz red glazed cherries
 4 oz mixed peel
 750ml Ruby Rich wine or any sweet wine/ cake wine of your choice
 1 cup white or dark rum
 1 cup cherry brandy

Ingredients for cake preparation

 1lb unsalted margarine
 1 cup brown or white sugar
 10 to 12 eggs
 Zest of one lime or lemon
 2 tsp vanilla extract
 1 tsp almond extract
 1 tbsp baking powder
 1 lb to 1 ½ lb of soaked fruit mixture (2 to 3 cups)
 1 tsp ground cinnamon

 1 tsp ground nutmeg
 4 tbsp grace browning
 2 ½ cups to 3 cups of all-purpose flour (level cups)
 1/3 cup wine and 1/4 cup rum to pour on top cake after it is baked

(Note: For those who choose not to pour rum on top the baked cake ½ cup wine can be used).

Instructions

Line two 7 or 8 inches greased baking pans with wax paper or parchment paper.

1. Cream unsalted butter and sugar in a cake mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Crack eggs in a bowl one at a time ensuring that the white film/membrane is removed, then add eggs to creamed batter and continue to mix.
3. Add soaked fruits and mix.
4. Add flour, small amounts at a time and fold with a wooden spoon or spatula.
5. Add baking powder, followed by ground cinnamon and nutmeg then continue to fold.
6. Add in lemon/ lime zest
7. Add browning
8. Pour batter into 2 lined 8 inches cake pans
9. Bake from 275-300 degrees F for 80-90 minutes.

After removing cake from the oven pour alcohol mixture on top of the cake.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I use this recipe when using 1lb to 1 ½lb fruit mixture. I soak my fruits for 6 months to 1 year. For those who didn’t get  to soak their fruits in advance, you can steam your fruits in some wine for 15 to 20 minutes. After it cools off add in your rum or cherry brandy. Fruits can also be blended, for those who don’t like chewing on whole fruits in the cake. Not everyone enjoys fruit cakes/Christmas cakes that are moist. Some prefer their fruit cakes a bit heavy. 2 ½ cups flour gives you a lighter cake. Use the flour quantity to suit your preference.

Editor’s Note: Watch the DNO Christmas special, DNO Christmas Shodo,  on Christmas Day for an in-kitchen demonstration by Shermz Paradize Cakes of how to bake a a fruit/black cake. The show will be on from 8:00 p.m. on the DNO website, our YouTube Channel and Facebook Page.