The Black Fruit Cake is a festive delight packed with rich flavors and textures that will warm any holiday gathering. The recipe combines an array of fruits and spices, creating a deliciously moist cake that deserves a spot on your dessert table.
When making the Black Fruit Cake, feel free to swap out nuts or dried fruits according to your taste preferences or availability. For a gluten-free option, a suitable flour blend can be used. Be mindful of allergies, particularly with nuts, and if you’re using fruit, quality matters—opt for fresh or high-quality dried varieties for the best flavor.
Cakes
Black Fruit Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb raisins, seedless
- 1 lb currants
- 1 lb dates, chopped
- 2 lbs candied fruit
- 1 lb walnuts, shelled and chopped
- 6 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon clove, ground
- 2 cups shortening
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup molasses, dark
- 1 cup coffee, brewed strong and cooled
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a very large bowl, combine 6 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground clove.
- Add 1 lb raisins, 1 lb currants, 1 lb chopped dates, and 2 lbs of candied fruit, along with 1 lb shelled and chopped walnuts to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- In another bowl, mix together 2 cups shortening, 2 cups brown sugar, 6 large eggs, 1 cup dark molasses, 1 cup strong brewed coffee (cooled), and 2 tablespoons vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl with dry ingredients and mix thoroughly by hand, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.
- Prepare 4 standard-sized bread pans by lining them with brown wrapping paper or cut-up brown grocery bags to prevent sticking.
- Divide the thick and chunky batter among the loaf pans, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 250-300 degrees for about 2 hours or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pans before carefully peeling off the brown paper.
- Wrap the cooled cakes in waxed paper and let them set for optimal flavor development, perfect for serving during the holidays.
Part of our Homemade Cake Recipes collection — Part 1 of 6:
For a delightful treat that balances rich and nutty flavors, try the Black Walnut Pound Cake With Frosting. Its moist texture and creamy frosting make it a must-have for dessert lovers, complementing the array of tastes found in the Black Fruit Cake perfectly.