Simple Black Cake Recipe

Caribbean Black Cake is a deeply spiced, moist, and flavorful cake, often enjoyed during the holidays and special occasions. Traditionally, it’s made with rum-soaked fruits, but if you prefer a non-alcoholic version, this recipe keeps all the amazing flavor without the alcohol!

Instead of rum, we’ll use grape juice, apple juice, or brewed black tea to soak the dried fruits, giving it that same deep, rich taste. And of course, we’ll still include the signature burnt sugar (browning syrup) to achieve that iconic dark color and caramelized flavor.

This black cake is dense, soft, and perfectly spiced—a true treat for any celebration!

What You’ll Need

For the Fruit Mixture:

• 2 cups dried fruits (raisins, prunes, currants, cherries)
• 1 cup grape juice (or apple juice or brewed black tea)

For the Cake:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup molasses or homemade burnt sugar syrup (browning)
• ½ cup orange juice

Pro Tips for the Best Black Cake

✅ Soak the Fruits in Advance – For best flavor, soak the dried fruits overnight, but if short on time, soak for at least 1 hour or simmer them in juice for 5 minutes.
✅ Blend the Fruits – If you prefer a smooth cake, blend the soaked fruits into a thick paste before adding to the batter.
✅ Homemade Browning Syrup – If you don’t have store-bought browning, make your own by caramelizing ½ cup of sugar until deep brown, then adding a little hot water.
✅ Let the Cake Rest – The flavor gets better after a day or two—cover and let it sit overnight before serving!

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Blender or food processor (for the soaked fruits)
• 8-inch round cake pan
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Substitutions & Variations

🍷 Juice Options – Instead of grape juice, you can use apple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, or black tea.
🍫 Extra Richness – Add ½ cup of cocoa powder for a deep chocolatey taste.
🌿 Nut-Free – Simply omit nuts if making a nut-free version.
🍊 Citrus Twist – Add zest of 1 orange for a bright flavor contrast.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Soak the fruits up to a week in advance and store them in an airtight container.
• Bake the cake up to 3 days ahead—it tastes even better after resting!

How to Make Simple Black Cake

Step 1: Soak or Simmer the Fruits

1. In a bowl, combine raisins, prunes, currants, and cherries with grape juice (or substitute juice/tea of choice).
2. Let sit for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
3. Blend the soaked fruits into a thick paste for a smoother cake.

Step 2: Prepare the Batter

4. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
5. In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
6. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients & Fruits

7. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
8. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet batter, mixing until just combined.
9. Stir in the blended soaked fruits, molasses (or burnt sugar syrup), and orange juice.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

10. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
11. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 5: Let the Cake Rest

13. Cover the cake and let it sit for at least 12 hours before serving. This helps the flavors deepen!

Leftovers & Storage

• Room Temperature: Wrap tightly and store for up to 3 days.
• Fridge: Keeps for up to 2 weeks—bring to room temp before serving.
• Freezer: Wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying!

Final Thoughts

This simple, alcohol-free Caribbean Black Cake is just as rich, moist, and spiced as the traditional version, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether for the holidays or just a special treat, this cake is sure to impress!

💬 Tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments! 🍰✨