World Flavors Cookbook

Black Fruit Cake

Belize's Caribbean Christmas cake — dried fruits soaked for months in rum and brandy, baked into a dense, dark, boozy holiday cake.

Cuisine: Belize

Ingredients

• 500g mixed dried fruits (raisins, prunes, currants, cherries)
• 200ml dark rum
• 200ml brandy
• For cake: 250g butter, 250g brown sugar, 5 eggs, 250g flour, 1 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp baking powder
• 50g browning sauce

Instructions

1. Soak dried fruits in rum and brandy at least 2 weeks (up to 6 months).
2. Drain fruits, reserving liquor.
3. Beat butter and sugar until very fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time.
5. Fold in flour, spices, and browning.
6. Fold in drained fruits.
7. Bake at 150C for 2-2.5 hours.
8. Pour reserved rum over hot cake. Repeat weekly until consumed.