Black Fruit Cake
Are you looking for a decadent dessert that will impress your guests and tickle your taste buds? Look no further than our delicious Black Fruit Cake recipe. This rich and dark cake is the perfect treat for any special occasion or just for indulging your sweet tooth on a cozy afternoon.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup dried prunes
– 1 cup dried figs
– 1 cup dried raisins
– 1 cup dried currants
– 1 cup dried dates
– 1 cup chopped walnuts
– 1 cup dark rum
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup packed brown sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine the prunes, figs, raisins, currants, dates, and walnuts. Pour the rum over the fruit and nut mixture, stirring well to ensure everything is coated. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes to allow the fruits to plump up.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
5. Fold in the soaked fruit and nut mixture, making sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the cake with foil halfway through baking.
8. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For an extra touch of luxury, you can drizzle the top of the cake with a simple rum or brandy glaze before serving. Simply heat some rum or brandy with sugar until the sugar dissolves, then pour it over the cooled cake.
Enjoy a slice of this rich and flavorful Black Fruit Cake with a cup of tea or coffee for a truly indulgent treat. This cake also makes a wonderful gift for friends and family – if you can bear to part with it! Gather your ingredients and bake up this delightful confection today. Your taste buds will thank you!
