Emily Dickinson's Black Cake

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Democracy Dies successful Darkness

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This mega-cake look -- sized for acquisition giving -- is simply a modern adaptation of 1 created by Emily Dickinson; the 19th period writer learned to navigator with her mother's guidance, it is said, and came to beryllium rather bully astatine it. The fruits utilized present are earthy and the brandy syrup gives the fruitcake a moist, mellow kick.

The brandy tin beryllium a Cognac-type by itself, oregon a operation of flavors, including amaretto oregon hazelnut liqueur. Your sensation buds tin usher you here.

This makes astir 20 cups of batter. An mean loaf cookware holds betwixt 4 and 5 cups of batter, truthful this look volition marque astir 4 ample loaf cakes, oregon 5 oregon six 9-inch rounds. Or, successful a 12-by-2-inch circular pan, possibly two. Or, 1 ample 13-by-18-by-2 1/2-inch pan. You get the idea, though: You tin cook it successful immoderate size and shape.

For serving, decorating with caller greens and flowers astir the barroom adds a festive touch.

It's champion to marque the brandy syrup a time successful advance; you whitethorn person immoderate near over, which tin beryllium refrigerated successful an airtight instrumentality for up to respective weeks. The effect needs to macerate for astatine slightest 1 hour, and preferably overnight. The cakes request an hour, and preferably a time oregon two, for the syrup to soak in. The soaked, wrapped cakes tin beryllium refrigerated for up to respective weeks.

You tin frost the baked, unsoaked cakes successful advance; defrost for astatine slightest 1 hr earlier applying the brandy syrup.

From Chevy Chase baker and caterer Margery K. Friedman, adapted from 19th-century American writer Emily Dickinson's location recipe.

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 60 (makes 4 ample loaf cakes oregon 5 oregon 6 nine-inch rounds)

For the syrup

3 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cupful brandy, oregon much arsenic needed

For the fruit

1 3/4 pounds raisins
8 ounces dried currants
8 ounces dried apricots, chopped into pieces the size of raisins
8 ounces pitted dried prunes, chopped into pieces the size of raisins
2 ounces dried pears, chopped into pieces the size of raisins
4 ounces pitted dates, chopped into pieces the size of raisins
1/2 cupful brandy

For the cake

3 1/4 cups unbleached flour
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons crushed cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons crushed cloves
1 1/4 teaspoons crushed mace
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 spoon crushed cardamom
1/4 spoon crushed ginger
48 tablespoons (6 sticks) unsalted butter, astatine country temperature
3 cups sugar
13 ample eggs, astatine country temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cupful molasses

Nutritional Facts

Per serving

Calories
272
Fat
11 g
Saturated Fat
6 g
Carbohydrates
42 g
Sodium
104 mg
Cholesterol
71 mg
Protein
3 g
Fiber
2 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

From Chevy Chase baker and caterer Margery K. Friedman, adapted from 19th-century American writer Emily Dickinson's location recipe.

Tested by Nancy McKeon.

Published March 12, 2026