Sweet Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits
A dense and moist Trinidadian black cake rich with rum-soaked dried fruits and warm spices, perfect for festive occasions. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 200 minutes layers dark rum, unsalted butter, softened, brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups mixed dried fruits (currants, raisins, prunes, cherries, chopped)
- 2 cups dark rum
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp molasses
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 3 cups mixed dried fruits with 2 cups dark rum in a large bowl. Cover and soak at room temperature for at least 1 week, stirring every day to ensure even soaking.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp molasses.
- Step 5: In another bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tsp baking powder.
- Step 6: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet batter until just combined.
- Step 7: Drain the soaked fruits, reserving 1/2 cup of rum. Fold the fruits and 1/2 cup reserved rum into the batter.
- Step 8: Pour batter into prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, checking after 2 hours and covering with foil if browning too fast.
- Step 9: Insert a skewer; if it comes out clean, remove cake from oven. Cool completely before removing from pan.
- Step 10: Wrap cake in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container, optionally brushing with additional rum every few days to deepen flavor before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Sweet Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sweet Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sweet Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits?
Caribbean desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
