Name: JAMAICAN EASTER BUN
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Flour (250g); 1 cup Brown Sugar (140g); 2 tsp Baking Powder (12g); ½ tsp Salt (3g); 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon (9g); ½ tsp Nutmeg (3g); 1 ½ tsp Mixed Spice; ¼ tsp Ginger Powder; 1 cup Malta (250ml); ½ tsp Rose Water (2ml); 2 tbsp Honey (30ml); 1 tsp Browning (5ml); 1 ½ tsp Vanilla (7ml); ¼ tsp Almond Extract (1ml); ½ tsp Lime Zest; ½ tbsp Molasses (7ml); 2 tbsp Melted Unsalted Butter (28g); 1 room temp egg (I used medium); ½ tsp Oil (2ml); 1 tbsp Unsalted Melted Butter; ½ tsp Honey

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Jamaican Easter Bun, a sweet and tender spice bun, is an essential part of Easter celebration in Jamaica.

We make Easter bun one of two ways; with yeast or with baking powder. This recipe I am sharing is for the latter. You will commonly find it made with raisins, mixed peels (candied fruit peel) or other dried fruit. I am not a fan of either, so I left it out of this recipe, but you can add it in if you prefer.

We typically eat it with cheese, which is why the combo is commonly referred to as “bun and cheese”. But be mindful of the context when asking any Jamaican for “bun”, as it is also used to describe cheating on someone.

THE HISTORY OF THE JAMAICAN EASTER BUN

In England, hot cross buns were created with a cross on the bun to symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus. The consumption of these buns was forbidden except on Good Friday. When the British came to colonize Jamaica in the 1600s, they brought these buns, as well as their tradition surrounding it. Overtime, Jamaicans put their own spin on the buns. They turned the round sweet bun into a bread shape bun made with fruits, browning and molasses, which was then consumed with cheese. It is popular around Easter time, but you will find it consumed all year long.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR JAMAICAN EASTER BUN

1. Flour

2. Butter

3. Cinnamon

4. Light Brown Sugar

5. Pure Vanilla

6. Salt

7. Egg

8. Rose Water – You can also find Rose Water in a West Indian or Caribbean grocery store.

9. Baking Powder

10. Lime Zest

11. Almond Extract

12. Nutmeg

13. Malta (The brand is Grace) – You can find this in Walmart and a few other grocery stores in the international section. If you cannot find it, you might find Vita Malt. If you want an alcoholic version, you can substitute with Dragon Stout or Guinness Stout.

14. Mixed Spice – This is similar to pumpkin spice. You can also find mixed spice in the West Indian or Caribbean grocery store.

15. Ginger Powder

16. Honey

17. Browning – You can find this in a West Indian or Caribbean grocery store. You may find it in the international section of your local grocery store, such as Walmart. If you cannot find it, you can omit it or add a bit more molasses.

18. Molasses – You can get this in Walmart.

19. Oil

HOW TO MAKE JAMAICAN EASTER BUN

1. Sift all your dry ingredients together and whisk to combine.

2. In a separate bowl, combine all your wet ingredients and mix well.

3. Add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredients and mixed until well combined.

4. Add your batter to a greased and lined baking pan. Tap your pan a few times to release any large air bubbles.

5. Bake at 350°F for 55 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.

6. Once out of the oven, cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

7. Brush your bun with 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter and 1/2 tsp honey.

8. Enjoy with some Jamaican Tastee Cheese.

STORAGE TIPS

You can store this at room temperature in a Ziploc bag for up to 5 days.

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