Black Cake

Black Cake, also known as Caribbean Black Cake or Christmas Cake, is a rich, dense, and moist fruit cake that is a centerpiece of holiday celebrations across the English-speaking Caribbean. It is made from a base of dried fruits (like raisins, currants, and prunes) that are often soaked for weeks or months in rum and wine, then blended into a batter with browning, spices, and sometimes nuts.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This is a very energy-dense food, being high in both carbohydrates (from sugar and fruit) and fat (from butter and eggs). It provides quick energy and some minerals from the dried fruits, but is typically consumed in small, celebratory portions due to its richness.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	310 kcal
Protein	3 g
Carbs	45 g
Fat	14 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	32 g
Sodium	120 mg
Potassium	180 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Magnesium	20 mg
Phosphorus	45 mg
Vitamin A	80 µg
Folate	15 µg
Manganese	0.3 mg
Copper	0.1 mg

Per 1 slice (approx. 80 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The cake's signature dark color and deep flavor come from the long maceration of fruits in alcohol and the use of 'browning' (a caramelized sugar sauce). Culturally, it's a symbol of celebration and patience, with many families having their own treasured, decades-old recipes and fruit-soaking rituals.