Caribbean Sweet Bread

This is a traditional recipe in most Caribbean islands. It’s always made for Christmas and sometimes other holidays and special occasions like Easter, birthdays and more.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 2 cups dessicated coconut you can also use fresh coconut and reduce milk by 1/4 cup
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup tutti frutti aka tutti frutti
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 glace cherries for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray two loaf pans with non stick spray.
2. In a large bowl, sift flour and baking powder with salt and spices.
3. Add butter, coconut, the cup of sugar, raisins and citron. Mix thoroughly.
4. In a small bowl, beat egg with milk and vanilla. Add this to the large bowl and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
5. Divide the batter between the two loaf pans. Decorate the top with the glace cherries.
6. Bake for 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Mix the tablespoon of sugar with the water. Brush this on the loaves and return to the oven for another 3 minutes.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Let cool completely before slicing.