Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!
GrandMa's Traditional
Jamaican Christmas Cake Recipe
Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.
You feel it in the air - the weather changes (it gets nicer), the blossoms and even the fresher, gentler breeze, Christmas is coming baby! And that means it is time to prepare the fruits for the the most treasured cake of the year, the Jamaican Christmas cake - laced with fruits and rum!
New! Take a piece of Jamaica with you💃!
Savour the memories! Now you can get your authentic Jamaican souvenir items, as well as traditional Jamaican herbs, spices and housewares on our popular e-store. Click Here to learn more.
And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!
I have the recipe for you, but just before I share it, how about a bit of history of Christmas pudding in Jamaica?
Ready?
Great... let's go!
Jamaican Christmas Cake - The History
According to Donaldson, our local Christmas Cake is actually a reworking over the centuries of the traditional English plum pudding.
The dried fruit ingredients are put to soak for weeks and even months in advance of baking in December.
And actually, speaking of baking, the ingredients were actually steamed instead of baked!
In some Jamaican homes, fruit is kept soaking all year round always ready for use! At minimum though, the fruits for the pudding are soaked at least one month before use.
Historically, they are made the first week in December to allow them time to ‘ripen‘ or mature for the Yuletide season.
The fruits traditionally used are ground raisins, currants, dates and prunes soaked in rum and port wine. Spices and citron may also be added.
It is traditionally served cold with hot brandy sauce or rum butter. The cakes (puddings) were keep for several months, and were often sent to relatives and friends overseas.
And now... here is the recipe (below)!
Traditional Jamaican Christmas Cake Recipe
This recipe make a 4 pound cake
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 pound butter
- 1 teaspoon almond flavoring
- 6 ounces bread crumbs
- 1/2 dozen eggs
- 1 tablespoon mixed spice
- 1/2 pound granulated sugar
- 4 cups mixed fruits (raisins, currants, prunes, citron, cherries, dates)
- 6 ounces flour
- 2 cups port wine
- 1 cup white rum
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1 tablespoon browning
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons lime (or orange) rind
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
METHOD/ INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare tin by lining sides with 2 thicknesses of paper and the bottom with 4 thicknesses of brown paper and 1 of grease-proof paper.
- Grease with shortening
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Mix in the browning, vanilla and almond flavoring, lime juice and rind
- Add eggs, one at a time, and beat in well
- Add soaked fruits, cherries, dates and nuts
- Mix breadcrumbs, flour, baking powder, salt and mixed spice
- Add alternately with rum and port wine
- Pour into the prepared baking tin
- Bake at 250°F for approximately 2 hours.
- Remove and cool.
We have another version as well, titled, Jamaican Fruit Cake. Pick your choice, 'all a dem nice'!
I Should Tell You....
- This same recipe is used for the traditional Jamaican wedding cake, which is covered with a layer of marzipan (almond paste) and decorated with royal icing.
If not yet done, be sure to check out our mouth-watering Sweet Potato Pudding and Cornmeal Pudding Recipes, right here.
Watch Video! Jamaican Christmas Cake
Thanks to Kayann, I now officially have a video of the how to make this Jamaican delicacy. And without hesitation, here is it...
Get More Free Jamaican Recipes here
Now over to you! Please be sure to share a comment below to let me know how you did :-) HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
You might like these as well
Jamaican Callaloo | Health Benefits and Two Simple Recipes
Callaloo is a big part of Caribbean cuisine but the plants and the methods used varies on each island. Let’s explore what Jamaican Callaloo is together!
Easy Jamaican Curry Lobster Recipe
Combine your love of curry and seafood with this super easy Jamaican Curry Lobster recipe!
Easy Jamaican Cornmeal Blue Draws Recipe
Follow this easy Jamaican Cornmeal Blue Draws recipe, using the most basic ingredients to make this delicious traditional sweet treat.
Return to Food From Jamaica from Jamaican Christmas Cake
Return To My Island Jamaica Homepage from Jamaican Christmas Cake
Other Pages Related To Jamaican Christmas Cake
References
- Senior, Olive, Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage, Published 2003
- Spence, Wenton, Recipes From Old Jamaican Grandmothers, Published 2015
- Donaldson, Enid, The Taste Of Jamaica, Published 1993
New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿
 |
You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now! |
See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!
 |
My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers. |
Read More ...
New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!
P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for?
Still need help?
Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!
Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.
Featured Video!
Travelling To Jamaica?
Read this BEFORE you go
👇🏿
New Here?
I recommend you START HERE to enjoy the best of this website!
New! For Authentic Jamaican products, from my very own hands, visit my Etsy store here.
Recent Articles
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
-
Wild Hops: Jamaica’s New Hope for Diabetes
Jun 20, 25 10:21 PM
Wild Hops: Jamaica’s New Hope for Diabetes? Out in the countryside of Jamaica, you’ll sometimes stumble on a soft, bushy plant with a gentle -
Birthday Certificate Correction
Jun 18, 25 01:15 PM
Question from Shelly Tennet, NY, USA: Good Evening, I am currently a legal resident of the United States but am a citizen of Jamaica. I recently -
Is It Possible to Trace Who Previously Owned Land in Jamaica?
Jun 18, 25 12:52 PM
Question from Carl Williams, London, England: Please could you inform me, how can I find the purchase history of an acre of land I wish to -
What Are Some Hidden Gems in Western Jamaica for Nature Lovers?
Jun 17, 25 11:47 AM
Question from Christine: I am looking for off-the-grid or, in other words, alternatives to the highly marketed tourist excursions/sites such as -
How Long Does a Splinter Title Take to Process in Jamaica?
Jun 13, 25 03:18 PM
Question from Lloyd Castro: SPLINTER TITLE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE TITLE OFFICE IN APRIL 2022. APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO
About The Author
A patriotic Jamaican who adores its culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.
To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day (and over 1.1millon page views monthly)
His efforts have earned this site featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.
He invites you to explore his books and subscribe to this site to stay updated on all the latest here on site.
You are also welcome to check out his unique Jamaican products on his e-store.
If you are on social media, here are the links to follow his latest posts:
You are also invited to join his exclusive JAMHearts community where like-minded Jamaican enthusiasts discuss all things Jamaican.
Didn't Find What You Are Seeking?
Do a quick site search here:
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.