Bajan Black Cake

==Ingredients==
* 5 lbs mixed dried fruits (raisins,currants, prunes, cherries)
* ¼ lb chopped nuts
* ½ lb mixed citrus peel
* 1½ to 2 lbs brown sugar
* 2 tbsp mixed spice (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg etc)
* 10 eggs
* 1 cup rum
* 12 ozs flour
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 lb margarine
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup port wine
* 1 tbsp vanilla extract
* 1 tbsp almond extract
* 1 cup water
* ¼ lb pineapple jam
* browning
==Directions==
# Mince the fruit and soak in 1 cup of rum with spices, essences, nuts, jam and ¼ lb sugar.
# Mix ingredients well and put in a jar, cover and allow mixture to steep for 3 weeks or more.
# When ready to bake, cook fruit over a low heat with 1 cup of water for 15 minutes (this preliminary cooking of the fruit shortens baking time of cake and reduces the possibility of the cake burning).
# Cream the butter/margarine and remaining sugar well and add eggs beating in one at a time.
# Then add this to the fruit mixture.
# Stir in enough browning to make the mixture dark brown in color.
# Add the flour and baking powder last.
# Place mixture into baking pans -greased and lined with 2 sheets of waxed paper.
# Fill the pans ¾ full.
# Bake in a 300°F oven for 2½ to 3 hours.
# Test with skewer before removing from oven.
# As soon as cakes are removed from oven, prick all over with skewer and pour slowly over them a mixture of rum and wine which the cakes will absorb.
# Allow to remain in baking pans for 2 to 3 days to fully absorb liquor before serving.
Category:Cake Recipes