Christmas Cake

I have made this cake to the same recipe around 50  times and this is the first time it has come out this dark. Suitably wrapped around in brown paper, it was set at the right temperature, checked and covered after half time, and not forgotten for a moment. So what are all those black bits?

Never mind, I'll douse it with something alcoholic several times then hide it in marzipan. No-one will know... .