Caribbean Black Cake

In celebration of St. Maarten/St. Martin  as it recovers from hurricane Irma devastation and in remembrance of wonderful holidays spent there, here is a recipe for a traditional specialty for all holidays and celebrations – Black Cake.  I can remember hosts divvying out a small slice for each guest to partake of this delicacy.  I did the same for my daughter’s wedding.  This rum-filled delicacy is rich and don’t take much!! – Victorine

INGREDIENTS

2 Cakes

1. 1 1/2 cups flour

2. 2 sticks of  butter

3. 2 cups sugar

4. 4 eggs

5. 1 lb. raisins

6. 1 tsp. cinnamon

7. 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

8. 1/4 tsp. allspice

9. 1/2 tsp. Salt

10. zest of 1 orange

11. zest of 1 lime

12. 4 oz. cherries

13. 1/2 lb. prunes, chopped

14. 1 cup rum

15. 1 cup cherry wine

16. 1 tsp. baking powder

17. 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

18. Finely grated rind of 1 lime or lemon

19. 2 tbsp. molasses

20. 2 tbsp. browning

PREPARATION:

1. Use a bowl and add prunes, cherries, raisins, and fruit peels to mix of rum and cherry wine, saving some of the liquor to pour over the cake when done.  Soak for 2-3 hours.  (Some folks soak for a year or two!)

2. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F and grease two 9″ round cake pans.

3. Use a mixer to cream the butter, sugar, vanilla, and browning until soft and fluffy.

4. Sift the flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, salt and baking powder together.

5. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.

6. Add the egg mixture to the creamed butter and sugar.

7. Stir in the fruit and rum mixture. ( You have the option to puree this fruit mixture in a blender before adding for a more moist cake.)

8. Gently fold in the flour mixture just until mixed.

9. Pour mixture into prepared pans and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

10. Remove cakes from the oven. When cakes are not hot but still slightly warm, pierce with a toothpick and drizzle rum and wine mixture over cake(about 3 tablespoons at a time). Repeat the morning and evening the next day. You may continue to add more wine or rum to your liking. (This is why it is wise to eat in small portions).

11. Allow to cool, serve.

Photo credit:  tastetheislandstv.com

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I was recently updated on St. Maarten, and discovered there are many people who are hungry on the island, still suffering the lost of over 70% of homes there.  I asked for a credible source for donations and was given the Rotary 7020.  Please click and donate.