There is always a Christmas cake on the table during the Christmas season, especially a fruit cake. In Trinidad the traditional black cake is usually crumbly-moist or sticky-wet and black; its moisture resulting from the excessive use of alcohol. Some people also like icing on their black cake, thus making the cake decadent. But I tend to stay away from cakes with icing – enough of all that sweetness and not to mention calories galore.
Christmas Cake and Alcohol
However, I don’t have to worry too much about getting a slice of black fruit cake with icing. Most people I know prefer to layer their cake with alcohol. That is what I have to worry about usually. I mean, I have come across some fruit cakes that could make a person a bit tipsy. Because of this I know some people don’t like Trinidad black fruit cake with excessive alcohol.
Most people are well aware that excessive alcohol energy can trigger craving and compusive eating and drinking. Around the Christmas season, these effects are not so welcoming. However, some studies do show that alcohol has a short-term stimulatory effect on appetite.
However, alcohol in desserts, such as cakes is not a bad idea as the alcohol extends the shelf life of the cake and avoid wastage. Now, you will be interested to know that if you bake your fruit cake with alcohol, it retains 25% of the alcohol content, but when you add it to the cake right after it is baked it retains 70% of the alcohol. For most people this is excessive.
That is why I am posting this cake today, a Christmas Fruit Cake, a fruit cake for everyone to enjoy, including children. I’m calling this one rated E for everyone.
A Fruity Christmas Cake
This Christmas fruit cake is made of mostly fruits. Yes, mostly fruits. You don’t have to worry about any ingredients sinking to the bottom of the cake, or the cake not spongy enough, or whatever. It is very easy to make, even if you are a first-time cake maker. This cake could make you look like you know what you are doing. So don’t despair. Just follow the instructions and soon you will have a tasty, fruity, cake in one hour.
Here is Christmas fruit cake. Enjoy!
Christmas Cake Recipe
CHRISTMAS CAKE
Ingredients:
1/2 lb raisins
1/2 lb maraschino cherries, halved
1/2 lb preserved pineapple (or candied pineapple)
1/2 lb mixed fruit
1/2 lb almond, chopped
1/2 lb( (2 cups) all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup molasses
4 tsp. almond or vanilla essence
1/2 cup rum or red wine
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Mix together the fruits and nuts in a deep bowl. Set aside.
In another bowl, sift the flour; then add the salt, baking powder, and spices.
Mix well. Remove 1 cup of the flour mixture and…
add to the fruit mixture. Mix the flour with fruits. Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar. Do not over beat the butter and sugar.
Add one egg at a time, and continue creaming.
Blend in the molasses and essence.
Blend in the flour – mix with a spatula. Mix in the fruits with the spatula.
Grease the cake pan.
Note: It is best to use vegetable shortening instead of butter. Butter may contain some amount of water that could have the cake stick to the pan.
Pour cake mixture into the cake pan and bake for 1 hour.
Brush the wine or rum on the cake immediately as it is taken out of the oven. Cool before serving
OK, it’s 3:30 a.m. and I’m tired but don’t worry I still have one or two posts to put up. I’m definitely having breakfast at 11:00 a.m. today lol!!
Christmas Cake
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb raisins
- 1/2 lb maraschino cherries halved
- 1/2 lb preserved pineapple or candied pineapple
- 1/2 lb mixed fruit
- 1/2 lb almond chopped
- 1/2 lb (2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 4 tsp. almond or vanilla essence
- 1/2 cup rum or red wine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Mix together the fruits and nuts in a deep bowl. Set aside.
- In another bowl, sift the flour; then add the salt, baking powder, and spices. Mix well.
- Remove 1 cup of the flour mixture and add to the fruit mixture. Mix the flour with fruits. Set aside.
- Cream the sugar and butter. Add one egg at a time, and continue creaming.
- Blend in the molasses and essence. Blend in the flour, then the fruits (mix with the spatula).
- Grease the cake pan. Pour cake mixture into the cake pan and bake for 1 hour.
- Brush the wine or rum on the cake immediately as it is taken out of the oven. Cool before serving.
Ah gone!
Don’t forget to leave your comment about this fruity Christmas cake in the comment box below.