Happy New Year is in order –even though it’s the 16th –as this is my very first post of the New Year! I wanted to start on a sweet note so today I am sharing my secret sweet bread recipe–developed and perfected during the past 10 years! I know you will love it so give it a try and let me know! This recipe was also recently featured in the Propa Eats magazine of the Popular Newspaper The Guardian in Trinidad and Tobago! Pretty cool way to start the New Year!
Table of Contents
What is Trinidad Sweet Bread?
Trinidad sweet bread is a dense, rustic bread made with fresh coconut, raisins, mixed fruit and spices. It is made in Trinidad, especially during the holidays including Christmas and Easter but great for an all year long snack or breakfast. My sweet bread recipe results in a bread that’s addictive and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. A perfect balance of texture and flavors!
Christmas Time In Trinidad
In Trinidad, it’s customary to go to neighbors’ and friends’ houses around Christmas for a lime to celebrate the holidays. Along with punch a creme, sorrel, black cake, pastelles, and sponge cake, there is always sweet bread, and we can all hope it’s a very good one.
Crafting The Perfect Sweet Bread
I like my sweet bread loaded with the rich taste of fresh coconut, with not too much raisins or mixed fruit, but just enough so that you get a hint of those flavors. If you like an abundance of mixed fruit, you can increase up to a cup, but decrease the sugar because the mixed fruit is very sweet. If you don’t enjoy biting into the small pieces of mixed fruit, you can put it in the food processor to break up the chunks. If you are one of those who dislike the taste of mixed fruit, eliminate it and replace the amount stated in the recipe with raisins.
You may also decrease the sugar if you do not like it too sweet, contrary to its name. Whatever changes you make, if you ensure that the dough has the right texture, you will surely achieve sweet bread success.
Ingredients You Will Need
Makes 25 slices (1 large loaf and 1 small loaf)
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the recipe, providing structure and forming the base for the sweet bread. It ensures the bread holds together while maintaining a tender crumb.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness with a rich, molasses-like depth that complements the tropical flavors. It also helps in caramelization, enhancing the golden crust.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, ensuring the sweet bread rises and has a light, fluffy texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: A warming spice that infuses the bread with a fragrant, earthy aroma and classic holiday flavor.
- Freshly Grated Nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty spice with a hint of sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Grated Ginger (Optional): A zesty addition for a touch of spice and brightness, balancing the sweetness with a gentle heat.
- Himalayan Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the natural sweetness of the ingredients and balances the flavors.
- Finely Grated Coconut: The star ingredient, lending a tropical flavor and moist texture. Whether freshly grated or unsweetened flaked, it brings authenticity to this Caribbean classic.
- Seedless Raisins: These sweet bursts of flavor add a chewy texture and a touch of natural sweetness, enhancing the bread’s richness.
- Mixed Fruit (Candied Fruit), Optional: Provides colorful, sugary bites that add visual appeal and a festive touch, perfect for special occasions.
- Sweet Cream Butter, Melted: Adds moisture and richness, creating a tender crumb and enhancing the overall flavor with its creamy, buttery notes.
- Evaporated Milk: A key ingredient for moistening the dough while adding a creamy, slightly caramelized flavor, essential for the bread’s soft texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a sweet, floral aroma and depth of flavor, tying together the spices and tropical elements beautifully.
- Eggs, Beaten: These bind the ingredients, add richness, and contribute to the structure of the sweet bread, ensuring it holds its shape while baking.
Equipment You Will Need:
Mixing bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoon, 2 (9×13) baking pans
How to Make Sweet Bread: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease two bread pans (9×13) or one large and one small.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt.
Stir in coconut, raisins and mixed fruit(if using).
In a measuring cup, add milk, eggs, butter and whisk to combine. Add to dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
The dough should be slightly sticky.
Divide dough, form into a loaf with your hands (helps to butter your hands) and place in prepared pans. Bake until full cooked and/or a toothpick or skewer comes out clean, about 60 – 90 minutes (or longer depending on your oven).
At the end of baking, mix 2 tbs of sugar with water and brush over bread, return to oven for 5-10 minutes or until the desired color is achieved. You can make it light brown or dark brown and crunchy.
Other Popular Trini Desserts
Barfi (Milk Powder Dessert)
More Coconut Based Breads
Trinidad Coconut Bake(Dense Version)
Coconut Pot Bake(light oven option)
Trinidad Sweet Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Bowl, measuring cup, measuring spoon, 2 (9x5) bread pans or one large and one small
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 lb 5 oz
- 2 cups brown sugar plus 3 tbs
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 cups finely grated coconut 14 oz
- ½ cup seedless raisins
- ½ cup mixed fruit optional, or more according to preference
- ½ cup butter melted
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or more to taste
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tbs ginger grated, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease two bread pans (9x5) or one large and one small bread pan
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- Stir in coconut, raisins and mixed fruit(if using).
- In a measuring cup, add milk, eggs, butter and whisk to combine. Add to dry ingredients and mix just until combined. The dough should be slightly sticky.
- Divide dough, form into a loaf with your hands and place in prepared pans. Bake until full cooked and/or a toothpick or skewer comes out clean, about 1 hour.
- At the end of baking, mix 1 tbs of sugar with water and brush over bread, return to oven for 5 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
More Trinidad Holiday Favorites
Did You Love This Recipe – Leave a Rating and Comment!
Trinidad Sweet Bread is more than just a treat; it’s a slice of tradition, love, and Caribbean flavor. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh out of the oven, sharing it with friends and family, or gifting it during the holiday season, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. I hope this sweet bread brings a little piece of Trinidad to your table and fills your home with warmth and joy. Don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card above and share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your experience!
Questions or Concerns–Write Me!
If you have any questions about this recipe or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s make your sweet bread perfect together! 😊
Always refer to this recipe to make sure I never forget I don’t use eggs and milk ..but the coconut milk when I grate my coconut it’s nothang like a fresh coconut to make the recipe come alive …Thank luv …❤️
Absolutely! Fresh grated coconut makes all the difference in this recipe. Love that you’re keeping the tradition alive and paying attention to those authentic details. Keep enjoying those delicious moments! ❤️