The Jamaican spiced bun has gone beyond being just a mere Easter special to an all-year-round delight! This might not be something I have shared before on here, but I was not a big lover of fruit cakes growing up. 

My 10-year-old self would pick out every little raisin there was in my cake, even if it meant losing the entire slice.

 

But ask my food-loving self now how I feel about them, especially after trying the popular Jamaican Easter bun, I love it!

If you are yet to taste this bun, this is your sign! It is mostly eaten with thick slices of cheddar cheese (Tastee cheese). The pairing of this cakey bun and a thick slab of cheese caught my curiosity. 

I was determined to know how it tastes together as I had never tasted it. I decided to treat myself to this at a Jamaican restaurant last Easter and my oh my, was it good! 

But one thing I can say confidently is, bun and cheese are not a common, this flavorful pair is as Jamaican as it gets.

The bun itself is not your typical level of sweetness, however, the addition of raisins, sultanas and the likes pack a punch of sweetness the loaf. I was pleased to see just how easy-to-follow the recipe is, but first, let’s examine little into the history of the Jamaican Spiced Bun.

Origin of the Jamaican Spiced Bun

The narrative behind this aromatic bun is linked to the British hot cross bun. The British colonized Jamaica in the 1600s and brought with them the hot cross bun tradition especially during Easter. 

The Jamaicans then took this and modified it in their own special way. The cheese part is especially a Jamaican invention.

While hot cross buns and the Jamaican spiced bun do not really bear any semblance, the two have similar ingredients.

Ingredients for Making Jamaican Easter Bun

As I mentioned, a good many of the ingredients used in traditional hot cross buns are also used in the spiced bun. 

But, there are also ingredients that are unique to the bun, there are:

1. Stout

You can use any type of stout brand that you prefer. Stout gives this loaf a similar essence to rum fruit cake also part of Jamaican cuisine. 

I used the Guinness brand for this recipe because of its rich malt flavor.

2. Molasses and Honey

These are used in place of all the sugar-sweetness that is known to such recipes.

Molasses is a product of crushed sugar-cane and has been said to be a much healthier option than refined sugar.

3. Browning

There are many brands of browning. This ingredient is common in Jamaican cuisine, it is used to add that brown color to baked goods, stews, sauces etc. 

It adds the signature brown color to the Jamaican spiced bun. The more the browning, the darker your bun will be.

4. Vanilla Extract

Some vanilla essence adds another layer of flavor.

5. Brown Sugar

You can use either light or brown sugar.

6. Baking Powder

This is the only raising agent needed for this recipe.

7. Spices

These are a key part of the aromatic appeal the bun is known for. You need cinnamon, all-spice and ground nutmeg.

8. Dried Fruits

A combination of dried fruits are used such as sultanas, raisins etc. I have heard some people add shaved almonds to add a little crunch, different strokes for sure!

The ingredients are pretty much dump ‘n’ mix. The dry ingredients are sifted into the wet ingredients, mixed and transferred into a loaf pan. 

Yes, a loaf pan is what gives this bun its loaf shape. The bun is finished off with more raisins and if you like, some cherries.

Jamaican Spiced Bun Recipe

The Jamaican spiced bun has gone beyond being just an Easter special to an all-year-round delight! 

Packed with sweet raisins and spiced with condiments that amplify its flavor, this easy recipe is just what you need to make yourself a loaf of it.

List of Ingredients

There include:

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour

2. ½ cup brown sugar

3. 1 tablespoon baking powder

4. ½ teaspoon baking soda

5. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6. 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

7. ½ teaspoon ground allspice

8. ½ teaspoon salt

9. 330ml stout

10. ⅓ cup molasses

11. 2 teaspoon browning

12. 3 tbsp honey

13. 1 egg

14. ½ cup unsalted butter melted

15. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

16. 1 cup mixed dried fruits raisins, currants, sultanas

Baking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan with butter.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the stout, melted butter, molasses, browning, honey, egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

3. Use a sieve to sift in the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Begin to mix, if too thick, you can add 1 tbsp of water.

4. in the dried fruits until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Once baked, remove the bun from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool totally.

Your tasty bun is ready for consumption. What are your opinion on this article? Let’s entertain them in the comment section.