Bajan Sweet Bread

Name: Bajan Sweet Bread
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Barbadian
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 cup grated coconut; 1 cup mixed dried fruit; 2 eggs; 120g butter, melted; 1 cup milk; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp nutmeg; 1 tsp vanilla essence; 1 tsp almond essence; Pinch of salt; 2 tbsp sugar for glaze; 1 tbsp water for glaze

Sweet Bread (BAY-jan SWEET bred)

Coconut Sweet Bread Loaf

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 30 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 340 kcal

A dense, moist loaf studded with dried fruit and grated coconut, lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, glazed with a sugar wash.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 6.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ eggs ⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

loaf tin mixing bowl oven

Presentation Guide

Vessel: cutting board

Garnishes: sugar glaze

Accompaniments: butter, tea, cheese

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup grated coconut
1 cup mixed dried fruit
2 eggs
120g butter, melted
1 cup milk
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp almond essence
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp sugar for glaze
1 tbsp water for glaze

Instructions

1
Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
2
In another bowl, cream melted butter with brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time.
3
Add milk, vanilla, and almond essence to the wet mixture.
4
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold in grated coconut and dried fruit.
5
Pour into a greased loaf tin and bake at 170C for one hour until a skewer comes out clean.
6
Dissolve sugar in water and brush over the hot loaf for a glossy finish. Cool before slicing.

💡

Did You Know?

Bajan sweet bread is so popular that bakeries sell out by mid-morning, and savvy buyers place orders the day before.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

loaf tin
mixing bowl
oven

Garnishing

sugar glaze

Accompaniments

butter, tea, cheese

The Story Behind Bajan Sweet Bread

Bajan sweet bread evolved from British tea cake traditions, adapted with tropical ingredients like coconut and local dried fruits. The loaf became a staple of Barbadian bakeries and home kitchens, particularly during the holiday season and for Sunday afternoon tea. Unlike many Caribbean breads, Bajan sweet bread is meant to be dense and moist rather than light, with the grated coconut providing a distinctive chewiness.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed tea time and holidays 📜 Origins: British-Barbadian baking tradition

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!