Good Friday and Easter are just around the corner. To Jamaicans
that means a special treat has been lining the shelves of supermarkets and
filling the tummies of delighted children and adults alike. That treat is of
course, a Jamaican Spice Bun. While it is possible to find spice buns,
particularly the plain, circular variety year-round; it is the loaves bursting
with sumptuous fruits and the delectable aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg that come
into prominence during Easter, and they are certainly worth the wait.
There are traditionally four different ways that you can choose
to make a Jamaican Spice Bun, it just depends on the rising agent you wish to
use: baking soda, baking powder, yeast or stout. Perhaps one day I will go into
the merits of each rising agent, but for today I’m sharing the baking soda
option. As many Jamaican grandmothers can attest, the baking soda method
produces a soft, moist, melt-in-your-mouth spice bun that’s easy for anyone to
whip up.
Spice Buns hold a special place in the heart of many Jamaicans
as they invoke memories of family, tradition and togetherness. However, you don’t
have to be from the island to enjoy this delicious dessert, as everyone
deserves a little more sweetness in their life. So, whether or not you’re
Jamaican, I think it’s time to dust off your apron and treat yourself to
something fragrant, flavourful and ultimately irresistible, straight from your
own oven. And if you are Jamaican, I hope you enjoy this little taste of home. Here
we go!
RECIPE (Yields
1 loaf)
Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
3 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1 cup raisins
1 cup sultanas (i.e. golden or yellow raisins)
1 cup currants
2 cups hot water
1 tbsp. baking powder
3 cups flour
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C, Gas
Mark 4)
Grease a loaf tin in preparation. (You may line it with
aluminium foil or greaseproof paper if you desire)
In a saucepan, bring to a boil: brown sugar, hot water,
butter, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ground cloves, raisins, sultanas, and currants.
Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and allow this mixture to cool.
While the mixture is cooling, sift together flour and baking
soda
Add the cold mixture into to the sifted flour and baking soda,
stirring if necessary
Place in the greased tin and bake until done, this will take
approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours. (Sometimes given the dark colour of Easter Buns,
it may be difficult to tell when they are finished baking. A tip would be to
insert a toothpick into the loaf and if the toothpick comes out clean then the
loaf is finished baking. Try to avoid piercing the fruits.)
Slice and serve with cheese. It can also be eaten plain or
with butter if you prefer. As for the cheese, many Jamaicans choose the popular
brand “Tastee Cheese”, an
orange processed cheddar cheese, which as the name suggests is tasty indeed.
The women in my family however, who have passed this recipe down for
generations, prefer to go with a sharp white cheddar to complement the sweet
spices of the Easter Bun. Whatever your preference, spice bun itself is a
Jamaican Easter treat that the whole family is sure to love.
If you celebrate Easter, be sure to let me know some of your
favourite things about the holiday, in the Comments Section!
This looks incredible!! Cheese and bread are my faves!
ReplyDeleteThanks girl!! Bun and cheese is one of my favourites too :D :D
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