Trinidadian Black Cake with Rum-Soaked Fruits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A dense, moist Caribbean fruitcake soaked in dark rum and packed with spiced dried fruits, perfect for festive occasions. This Caribbean-inspired recipe, ready in about 180 minutes, layers dark rum, unsalted butter, 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 320 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

• 2 cups chopped mixed dried fruits (raisins, cherries, prunes)
• 1 cup dark rum
• 1 cup softened unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbsp molasses

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 cups chopped mixed dried fruits in a bowl and pour 1 cup dark rum over them. Cover and soak for at least 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Beat in 4 large eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp almond extract, and 2 tbsp molasses.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp ground allspice.
6. Step 6: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Stir in the rum-soaked fruits and any remaining liquid.
7. Step 7: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from pan.