One of the best things about the holidays is the food. It’s a time of decadence with rich desserts and drinks galore. Here in the Caribbean, one particular treat with which the holidays are synonymous is the famous black cake. For many, Christmas would not be the same without it.

We thought to suggest you give the seasonal delicacy a rest and try something new this holiday. However, after consulting a few friends who are black cake lovers (and savage defenders of this tradition), we were informed that alternatives were not only ill-advised but unwanted. It seems there’s no reason to try something different. Apparently, this love of black cake is deeply rooted and not to be messed with!

Still, the holidays are an excellent time to introduce the family to something new. So, instead of alternatives to the beloved traditional black cake, we’ve listed several delicious options you can try alongside it. We’re sure your family, loved ones, and guests will love it, and so will you. Also, for those who may not be fans of the Christmas black cake, any of these are excellent alternatives.

You’ll find the cakes on our list are easy to whip up. We’re forgoing anything that requires considerable preparation. For example, there’s no need to soak fruits weeks in advance. These cakes have been chosen for their simplicity, easy-to-follow recipes, and promise of pure deliciousness.

Hurricane Cake

Also called the earthquake cake, it’s a chocolate lover’s delight. Traditionally, it’s German chocolate cake, though some prefer devil’s food chocolate cake topped with a cream cheese mixture that sinks into the batter when baked. The result is a two-tone moist cake complemented by a buttery coconut and pecan base, with a prep time of 10 minutes, followed by a cooking time of 45 minutes. Your cake will be ready in 55 minutes. We do advise scheduling an extra 10 minutes for incidentals. Here’s a recipe if you would like to try baking this cake.

Chocolate Stout Cake

We understand that part of the appeal of seasonal black cake is that the spirit-infused fruits enhance the flavours. We don’t want to deprive you of that. Therefore, why not try, as an alternative, something a bit more sophisticated, like a chocolate stout cake? Sweet yet with a gentle tang, the chocolate cake is infused with a stout and sour cream. A cream cheese frosting further heightens the contrasting flavours. As far as stouts go, you can try a Guinness or Mackenson, and there’s a new dark chocolate Mackenson flavour on the market. It’s the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

Salted Caramel Pound Cake

If you’re going to do something different, then why not go all the way? Here’s a cake that takes you outside the “Caribbean Christmas treats” box—a salted caramel pound cake. It’s sponge cake mixed with a caramel batter and topped with a soft, smooth, salted caramel drizzle…yum! The recipe is also pretty straightforward. Our only warning with this cake is to eat responsibly because you’ll likely keep returning for more. 

Black Forest Gâteau

Many of us are familiar with the black forest cake, but here it is with a difference. In addition to the chocolate sponge cake with cherries and cream filling you’re accustomed to, there’s a different element. The black forest gâteau is drizzled with kirsch, a brandy derived from sour morello cherries. This cake is more involved than the others listed, but it should be fun to make with the right recipe, and the finished product will be worth the work. Give it a try. Most of the ingredients should be easily found at your local supermarket. However, if you’re finding it difficult to get your hands on kirsch, Angostura’s cherry brandy would be an excellent alternative.  

Bánh Bông Lahn

We had to throw in one for the experienced bakers among us who may want a bit of a challenge. The Vietnamese sponge cake should do the trick. It’s light and fluffy. An additional benefit is that it’s not too sweet. It’s said the Bánh Bông Lahn (orchid cake) was introduced to the Vietnamese by the French. It’s called the orchid cake because the whipped egg whites make it rise, resembling a souffle or blooming orchid while baking. The Vietnamese sponge cake is easy to make, but if you want to challenge yourself, you can put your skills to the test and add a cream and fruit filling. You can even transform it into a Victorian sandwich cake by adding a jam and cream filling.

There you go, five cakes you can add to your Christmas baking list. They’re scrumptious and relatively easy to bake. Who knows, you just may start a whole new holiday tradition.

Happy holidays!

Sources: BBC Good Food, Cambridge Dictionary and Delish.