Trinidad Black Cake

Trinidad Black cake, another trini favourite during the Christmas season, is not only popular during the Christmas season but also year round, especially at weddings. It seems that black cake is a Caribbean thing also. I believe everyone makes it.
Its popularity could be attributed to a few reasons; probably it’s because of the alcohol because I’ve tasted some black cake that, if you ate too much it, could really get you a little tipsy. Its long shelf life could be another reason that it is so popular. Black cake could easily last a year, provided it has enough rum in it. But then how much is enough? I think that is a personal choice.

A Perfect Black Cake

When it comes to personal choice though, I like my black cake with just the right amount of ingredients; not too much rum and a moderate amount of fruits. I find that some people add a little too much of alcohol that makes the cake bordering on soggy or sometimes it has so much fruits that it is crumbly and when you’re finished eating you have more cake on you instead.of inside of you, haha!! Now, this recipe is a little different from the traditional black cake recipe because it doesn’t require you to soak the fruits. Yes! That’s right no soaking of fruits for weeks before you could make your black cake. If you feel to make your black cake today you can make it. I was surprised at how well it still came out since this was the first time we tried it this way also and from the pictures you could see that it was a success.

A Sign of Christmas

Just like sorrel this to me is another sign of Christmas in the “air”. Smelling black cake brings back so many memories…  Visiting friends and family to “buss ah lime” or going house paranging;  being served a nice slice of black cake or hops bread and ham along with some homemade wine, ginger beer or sorrel and you are enjoying yourself even though it is 2 o’clock in the morning and you’re trying not to eat too much at this house, because you have four more houses to parang in before you reach home……

It sure brings back memories. But it doesn’t have to stop here because I will have even more to reminisce about this Christmas and many more to come from that one smell of black cake. Here is black cake, straight from my trini kitchen to yours. Enjoy.

 

 Trinidad Black Cake Recipe

Trinidad black cake


Trinidad  BLACK CAKE

 

3 1/2 -4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
1 bt. sherry brandy
1 cup browning
1 tsp. vanilla essence
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 lbs. fruits (raisins, currants, dates, cherries, mixed peel, almond, sultanas)
grated orange rind
rum

yield: Makes two five pound cakes

 

Make the browning

Sift the flour and the baking soda together in a separate bowl. Add spices to flour.


Cream the shortening and sugar.

Beat the eggs. Add the eggs, browning and vanilla essence. Mix well.


Add the flour to the cream mixture.

Blend about about 3/4 cup of fruits and 1/2 cup of sherry brandy to the consistency of a jam .

Add the soaked blended fruits and fruits and mix .

Placed in a greased and floured baking dish and bake in a preheated oven 270-300 degrees Fahrenheit or until cake leaves the sides or for about (3 hours). Test with a thin knife, insert in the centre of the cake, if it comes out clean the cake is done.

Pour some rum over the baked cake immediately after it is baked.

Here I would leave it up to you to use your discretion

Trinidad Black Cake

This was a long post but coming up soon I’ll be posting another favourite cake recipe of ours; sponge cake. Stay tuned. Ah gone!

Print this Trinidad Black Cake  recipe.

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15 Responses to Trinidad Black Cake

  1. Thereze Ovid January 4, 2011 at 8:56 pm #

    Hello, I tried your recipe and loved it so much that I blogged about it. Thanks very much!

    http://www.therezeovid.typepad.com

    Reply
  2. diane.burke1 January 12, 2011 at 6:28 am #

    Hi, Am a Trini living in Melbourne Australia. A friend passed your website on to me, i have tried the souse,curry goat,xmas cake and many more, they are sooo good, Thank you so much.
    Diane

    Reply
  3. Felix January 12, 2011 at 10:34 pm #

    Thank you for visiting Diane and do visit again :-)

    Reply
  4. Mary January 24, 2011 at 2:43 am #

    This cake sounds great,what is Browning?

    Reply
  5. Felix January 24, 2011 at 4:37 am #

    the first five pictures explain how to make it. Basically it’s caramelized sugar with water added.

    Reply
  6. Jason January 26, 2011 at 3:10 pm #

    hi, is there a way where I can make it without the use of eggs?

    Reply
  7. Felix January 26, 2011 at 9:18 pm #

    I think it’s possible, will look into it.

    Reply
  8. judy December 29, 2011 at 5:59 am #

    Hi Felix, I was wondering if I could use butter instead of the shortening I do not use shortening at all. I could not find cheery Brandy where I live in the U.S. Any suggest? I will try to make it soon thanks for the great recipe. Judy

    Reply
    • Roz December 10, 2012 at 2:33 pm #

      Hi Judy, I have been using Arrow brand Wild Cherry Brandy. Being a “trini 2 de bone” it really took me a while to try this. This works just as well and I even use it, mixed with some spiced rum to pour over the cake when it comes out of the oven.

      Reply
  9. Felix December 30, 2011 at 5:46 pm #

    You can use the butter just be sure not to over cream it.

    Reply
  10. Agent of Change January 21, 2012 at 5:32 pm #

    I used this recipe for Christmas and it was bessssss but 2 weeks later I was reading a magazine and saw it there word for word (they even copied your comments)so I hope you get paid some royalties

    Reply
  11. Felix January 21, 2012 at 8:22 pm #

    Might I ask what was the name of the Magazine? Email me Please.

    Reply
  12. angie March 5, 2012 at 12:21 am #

    Hi Felix….I must say thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes …..I have been cooking up a storm…love your site…its my favorite….can I ask one favor please..can you please post the recipe for traditional black cake (with the soaking of the fruits) and also how to make the icing? Thanks and many many blessings

    Reply
  13. Cindy October 25, 2012 at 2:32 am #

    Hello Felix, I can see by the pictures the method for making the browning but what are the quantities of the sugar and water? Im so keen to bake this recipe- a little nervous too as it will be my first ever Xmas type cake. Thank-you for your time!

    Reply
    • Felix October 25, 2012 at 12:33 pm #

      Don’t be too nervous Cindy I have a link showing you how to make browning :-)

      http://www.simplytrinicooking.com/2008/11/how-to-make-browning-trini-style.html#axzz2A5dbjgcJ

      If you still want measurements here goes….. 1 1/2 cups sugar: a little less than 1/4 cup water*

      Note:
      1. The water has to be added gradually but you can’t pour too much or else the browning will be watery. So generally the amount of water is a little less than 1/4 cup.
      2. The colour of the caramelized sugar must be a dark chocolate colour. Any darker than this and it will be bitter, so be careful.
      3. When you make your browning remove from the flame immediately and allow to cool. That is why we did this step first so when you’re doing the batter the browning will be cool when you add it later on.
      4. Good luck with your first Black Cake and if successful please send me a pic :-)

      Reply

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