Jamaican Fruit Cake Recipe
Indulge in rich and flavorful taste of Jamaican fruit cake, packed with an array of dried fruits and soaked in rum. This cake is a delightful treat for special occasions or any time you crave a taste of tropical sweetness.
Equipment
- Electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits - raisins, currants, prunes, cherries (300g)
- ½ cup dark rum
- 280 g unsalted butter - softened
- 1 cup brown sugar - (110g)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - (330g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 grated zest of one lime
- ½ cup mixed nuts - walnuts, pecans, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup cherry brandy - optional
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Fruits
- In a bowl, soak the mixed dried fruits in dark rum overnight. For an extra kick, add cherry brandy to the mix and soak for 3 - 4 days.
Step 2: Preheat Oven
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line cake pans with parchment paper.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add Eggs
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and add vanilla extract and lime juice to the mixture.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, ground allspices and salt.
Step 6: Mix Batter
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well.
- Fold in the soaked dried fruits along with any remaining rum and the grated lime zest.
Step 7: Add Nuts
- Gently fold in chopped nuts.
Step 8: Bake
- Pour the batter into prepared pans and smooth the top.
- Bake for 75-85 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Allow the cake to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For a richer flavor, you can soak the fruits in red wine, port wine, or Jamaican black rum for several days up to 3 weeks before baking. This will give your cake a delicious and authentic taste. You can also add vanilla extract or white rum to the cake batter for an extra kick.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcal
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed and personalised calculations.