If there is one dessert that can make you travel back in time with just one bite, it is the Venezuelan black cake.
That sweet and spicy aroma that fills the house while baking, the intense flavor of the macerate of fruits with rum, and the spongy and moist texture make each piece a little piece of our land.
No matter what country you live in now, this is one of those flavors that immediately transports you back to the family Christmas tablesurrounded by laughter, bagpipes and love.
For many venezuelans abroadthe black cake is not just a dessert, it is a hug to the soul. It is a reminder of the holidays at home, of the recipes handed down from our grandmothers and of the excitement of opening a gift wrapped in that unmistakable red cellophane paper.
But what happens when we are far away and cannot find the same ingredients? Or when we want to share this little piece of tradition with our new friends in another country?
In this article, we tell you a little bit about the origin of this delicacy, how to adapt it with ingredients that you can find outside of Venezuela and, of course, a step-by-step recipe so you can make it at home.
Because no matter the distance, with every mouthful of Venezuelan black cakeWe will always be a little closer to home.
Origin and history of the Venezuelan black cake
The Venezuelan black cake is much more than just a dessert: it is a tradition full of history and flavor.
Its origin has European influencesespecially of the British and German fruit piesthat came to Venezuela during the colonial era. However, as with everything that passes through our hands, here we turn it into something unique, with a tTropical and Creole touch that makes it unmistakable.
In many Venezuelan families, the black cake is a Christmas tradition. It is that dessert that is prepared with time and love, because the key to its flavor is in the fruit maceration.
The raisins, prunes, figs, and candied oranges are left to soak in rum or brandy for weeks (or even months!) to absorb all that aroma and sweetness. The result is a dark, moist and nuanced cake, perfect for sharing at parties.
Each region of the country has given it its own touch. In some homes, it is added newsprint for a more intense sweetness; in others, dried fruits are incorporated as almonds and walnuts.
Some recipes include cocoa or coffee to highlight its color and give it even more depth of flavor. The truth is that, although each family has its own version, the love and nostalgia that this dessert carries are the same everywhere.
For the venezuelans abroadthe black cake is more than a Christmas dishis a piece of home in the distance. Preparing it is reliving childhood memoriesof family celebrations and of those moments that make us feel like we are feel closer to our rootsno matter where we are in the world.
Ingredients and alternatives outside Venezuela
One of the biggest challenges of making a Venezuelan black cake when you're out of the country is finding the exact ingredients.
At Venezuelathe candied fruits, aged rum and papelón But in other countries it can be more complicated, so don't worry! Here is a list of options to substitute some ingredients without losing the flavor and taste of your favorite food. original flavor.
Traditional ingredients (for the classic recipe)
- Candied fruits (orange, lemon, cherries)
- Raisins, prunes and dried figs
- Rum or brandy to macerate the fruits
- Wheat flour
- Sugar or grated paperboard
- Butter
- Eggs
- Spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg)
- Cocoa powder (optional, but enhances color and flavor)
Substitutes if you are abroad
If you can't find some of these ingredients, here are some alternatives:
- Candied fruits: you can use dried fruits such as blueberries, mango or dates. You can also caramelize orange and lemon peels at home with sugar and water.
- Rum or brandy: if you do not have Venezuelan rumIf you prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can use any dark rum or whiskey. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, try orange juice concentrate or strong black tea.
- Paper: if you can't get panela, you can use brown sugar or maple syrup to give it a similar sweetness.
- Spices: if you have trouble finding cloves or nutmeg, use a gingerbread spice mix or a gingerbread spice blend. pumpkin spice.
The idea is that you can make your Venezuelan black cake with whatever you have at hand, without losing its essence. The most important thing is not the exact ingredients, but the love with which you prepare it.
How to make this delicious recipe step by step?
To make a Venezuelan black cake it takes time, but believe me, it's totally worth it! Your deep flavor and moist texture are the result of a process that combines patience and love.
Here we leave you the recipe step by step so you can prepare it without stress and enjoy a piece of home in every bite.
Macerate the fruits (the most important thing)
The secret of The flavor of the cake is in the macerated fruits. Ideally, they should be soaked for at least a week before baking, but if you are short on time, you can soak them for at least a week. 24 hours also works.
Ingredients for the macerate:
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup chopped prunes
- ½ cup of candied fruits (you can use cranberries, dates or caramelized orange).
- 1 cup of dark rum or brandy
Preparation:
- Chop the fruits into small pieces.
- Place them in a glass jar and cover them with the rum or the liquid of your choice.
- Cover the jar tightly and store in a cool place until it is time to use them.
Preparing the dough
- 250 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups of brown sugar or grated paprika
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon powdered cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (optional, but enhances color)
- ½ cup milk or orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). and grease a baking pan with butter and flour.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until the butter and sugar are blended. mixture is creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Incorporates the spices, cocoa and vanilla essence.
- Sift the flour together with the baking powder and add it little by little to the mixture, alternating with the flour. milk or orange juice.
- Finally, drain the macerated fruits and add them to the dough with wrapping movements. If you want, you can add a handful of chopped walnuts or almonds.
Baking and finishing touch
- Pour the mixture into the mold and smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Bake for 1 hour at 170°Cor until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- When ready, let it rest for a few minutes. 15 minutes before unmolding.
- To give it that special touch, you can brush it with a little bit more of rum or brandy while it is still warm.
Enjoy and share!
Your Venezuelan black cake is ready to enjoy. You can store it wrapped in plastic wrap to keep it moist or even make it ahead of time and let the flavors intensify over the days.
This cake is not just a dessert; it is a piece of our roots, a hug from the family, a flavor that connects us with our land. So serve it with a coffee, share it with your loved ones and let every bite make you feel at home.
The taste of home
For many venezuelans abroadthe Venezuelan black cake is much more than a christmas dessert.
It is a memory of our childhood, of the grandmother's cooking full of spicy aromasIt is the time of family gatherings while the sweet smell of freshly baked cake fills the house. It is the Taste of Christmas in Venezuelano matter where in the world we are now.
When we are far away, certain flavors have the power to transport us back in time.. A piece of cake brings us back to those moments when we were excitedly waiting for the dinner of Christmas Eve, when mom or aunt cut the first slices and put them on colorful plates, or when they gave us one wrapped in red cellophane with a golden bow.
From Curiarawe encourage you to prepare this feast of flavors and traditionsand enjoy a good time cooking with your family and friends.
No matter where you are, gastronomy is a beautiful way to bring you closer to your home and to share with others a little piece of our land. So turn on the oven, assemble the ingredients and let the aroma of the Venezuelan black cake fill your home with memories and joy.
