Fruit cake is one of the main desserts that is popular during the Christmas season in Trinidad.

There are many different ways in which fruit cake can be made. Most times, alcohol is added and browning as well to create a black cake or black fruit cake. In this recipe however I’ll be using grape juice instead of alcohol and no browning. You can also use Malta instead of the juice and/or alcohol.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 8oz margarine/butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp JGM Products ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup prunes
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1 cup grape juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add fruits to grape juice and allow to soak overnight.
2. After soaking, place the fruit mixture into a food processor and pulse a few times until it has reached the desired ‘chunkiness’.
3. In a bow cream butter/margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla essence and eggs one at a time. Beat until eggs are well incorporated.
5. Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and almonds and flour. Mix until well combined.
6.  Fold in 1/3 of the flour and 1/3 fruit/Juice mixture.
7. Repeat this step until all ingredients are well combined.
8. Pour contents into a greased bread pan.
9. Bake at 275 degrees for approx 1hr and 15 mins or until properly baked through. You can check it using a toothpick to determine if you need to continue baking it. Once it comes out clean, it’s finished.
10. Allow to cool and cut into slices.
11. TIME TO EAT!

NOTE:

• The bake time will vary depending on the type of oven, the baking pan etc. Avoid opening and close the oven door while baking. Allow the cake to bake for one hour before gently opening the door to check on it.
• You can adjust the ratio/measurements of fruits used to your liking.
• You can also adjust the amount of spice used.

Check out the video here: