Torta Negra, also known as Black Cake, is a traditional Venezuelan dessert that is typically enjoyed during the Christmas season. It is a rich and decadent fruitcake made with dried fruits, nuts, spices, and rum. In this innovative recipe, the traditional Torta Negra is given a modern twist with the addition of chocolate. To make Torta Negra, dried fruits like raisins, prunes, and cherries are soaked in rum overnight to plump them up and infuse them with flavor. The soaked fruits are then mixed with a batter made from butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, and spices. The batter is then baked in the oven until the cake is moist and fragrant. Once cooled, the Torta Negra can be enjoyed as is or decorated with icing or powdered sugar. The combination of the rich chocolate flavor with the sweet and boozy fruits creates a truly indulgent dessert that is perfect for any special occasion.
