At Christmas time in Jamaica, a traditional black cake is baked in which the dried fruits and peel have been soaking in alcohol since the previous Christmas. It's a far more intense cake than traditional fruit cake, and covered in a dark, dark frosting.

Denevol Samuels is faithful to the tradition. He follows his grandmother's recipe for West Indian Black Cake with fruits that have wallowed for twelve months in cognac, wine, and white Jamaican rum. The cake is iced with blackened caramel or, if you prefer, a traditional white royal icing. He used to bake them for Tropical Desserts 82 Q St SW, 202 488 4647 where perhaps you can still order them, at least three days in advance.

But now you'll find Denevol and his West Indian Black Cake at his own bakery, Weakness for Sweetness, at 8821 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD, 301 552 3455. He also makes a mean swseet potato cake, and serves Caribbean dishes at lunch and supper.

To bake your own Black Cake, buy the Jamaican burnt sugar you'll need for the icing from Caribbean Market at 7505 New Hampshire Ave, Langley Park, 301 439 5288. Nigella Lawson offers her own recipe in "How To Be A Domestic Goddess."

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3 Comments

1. rummy

   i've been baking black cake since i was 9 and started icing/decorating @ 14. I still get amazed at all the recipes online , none however match the one my mum left me. It's also important to recognize the technique/process which often separates a good black cake from a not so good one.

2. Tiaira

   Denevol Samuels now has a business in Greenbelt Md, 8821 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt Md, 20770 (Weakness for Sweetness) Resturant and Bakery....The Best in DMV. They have cakes in show case and carribean food 100% authentic...they also have a lunch special everyday from eleven to three 5.99 EVERYDAY!!!!

3. Mikki

   Rummy, I have seen your comment regarding your mum's Black Cake on the TriniGourmet as well. Please give a hint as to the "process" that made your mum's so special. Otherwise, you are just teasing us repeatedly.