Rum cake Rum cake A rum cake is a type of dessert cake which contains rum. In most of the Caribbean, rum cakes are a traditional holiday season dessert, descended from the holiday puddings (such as figgy pudding). Traditionally, dried fruit is soaked in rum for months and then added to dough prepared with sugar which has been caramelized by boiling in water. The result, also known as "black cake", is similar to a fruitcake, with a lighter texture. In Trinidad and Tobago, fruits are preserved in cherry brandy to be used in the making of black cake. Black cake is traditionally
Rum in oak casks, it becomes dark, whereas rum aged in stainless steel tanks remains virtually colourless. Due to the tropical climate, common to most rum-producing areas, rum matures at a much higher rate than is typical for whisky or brandy. An indication of this higher rate is the angels' share, or amount of product lost to evaporation. While products aged in France or Scotland see about 2% loss each year, tropical rum producers may see as much as 10%. After ageing, rum is normally blended to ensure a consistent flavour. Blending is the final step in the rum-making process. As