This traditional Bajan cake is delightful served with hot tea; it can be buttered if preferred. This recipe makes 3 loaves.

You will need the following ingredients:

3 teaspoons of shortening
5 lbs of flour 
1 lb of grated coconut 
1 cup of butter
3 teaspoons of baking powder
4 cups of water
1 teaspoon of salt  
1 cup of sugar 
1/2 lb of raisins
2 teaspoon of vanilla essence 
1 egg
1-cup milk
1 tsp almond essence

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take 3 loaf tins and grease well with the shortening.

In large mixing bowl add all of the flour, baking powder, and salt. Melt the butter in a saucepan. In another bowl mix the coconut, the majority of the sugar - leave some back for covering the loaves later, raisins, egg, milk, almond essence, vanilla essence and melted butter. Mix well until you have a creamy paste. Add this to the bowl with the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until you form stiff dough.

Now divide the mixture between the three baking tins. Now boil the water. Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar, with some hot water and brush the top of each loaf.

Bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour. Leave to cool in tins before serving. When cooled slice and serve with a fresh pot of tea.

Submit a Review or Comment

Visitor Comments:

By: BajanAlways
With all the comments that indicate the posted recipe is clearly incorrect, why has it not been taken down? I agree that the quantities are off. Stuuupppsssss!!!!
Date: Dec 17, 2009


By: Frangipani
First, there are no eggs in coconut bread. Second, some of the coconut, sugar and mixed essence (not vanilla) is set aside. At the time, vanilla essence was too expensive, so we had to mek do wid de mix one. They really should redo and rewrite dis one.
If ya lookin fa a good sweet bread and ya in Brooklyn,check out de Bajan Cafe on Schenectady and E New York Avenue.
Date: Oct 17, 2009


By: Bob Salton
I believe it is 5 cups flour NOT 5 lbs

recipe is wrong...for sure
Date: Sep 21, 2009


By: Frannie
That recipe has a problem.
Please have the " COOK" review it again.
Date: Jun 17, 2009


By: Oliver
no good recipe

Date: Jun 12, 2009


By: Mr M
Strange recipie ill try it anyway.
Date: Jun 9, 2009


By: Eurica
I agree with the other posters. Something seems wrong with this recipe. I think I'll pass thank you. But I really love bajan sweetbread. Can't find it here in NY.
Date: Feb 9, 2009


By: Val
Did you say 4 CUPS of WATER???? Never!
Date: Nov 15, 2008


By: Mrs H
The ratio of flour to sugar seems wrong. Should be more like 1 lb sugar to 11/2 lb flour, with 1/2 lb butter or margarine and 3/4 cup of water.
Date: Jun 28, 2008


By: Mrs P
This seems like a big mistake... I will just have to try it in Barbados to see if it really is worth the trouble.
Date: May 19, 2008


By: Mary
Is it really 5 pounds of flour?
Date: Apr 3, 2008


By: Judy
seems like you switched the sugar and water amounts
Date: Feb 10, 2007