Jamaican Coco Bread Recipe 

Coco Bread is a soft, sweet bread from Jamaica made from coconut milk and flour. The bread is folded into a crescent shape and often eaten with a Jamaician patty inside – although they are also enjoyed alone, or with other ingredients.

The coconut milk adds a natural sweetness, while adding a soft and fluffy texture to the bread. 

Origin and Cultural Significance

Coco Bread originated in the Caribbean, where coconuts grow in abundance. The bread is a popular street food and despite being slightly sweet it is often filled with savory ingredients like jerk chicken or traditional Jamaican patties.

As well as being a popular street food, the bread is also a popular school snack, providing a filling and affordable lunch for students. 

Coco Bread is thought to have been created in Jamaica by enslaved Africans and Indians who worked on sugar plantations, before spreading through Jamaica and to neighboring countries in the Caribbean. The once “poverty food” has grown into one of the country’s most loved comfort snacks. 

Recipes for the bread vary – with some recipes calling for specific brands of butter and others opting for dairy over coconut milk. You can find both homemade and commercially produced coco bread in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and in Caribbean communities across the world.

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Jamaican Coco Bread Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Coco Bread is a soft, sweet bread from Jamaica made from coconut milk and flour.

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Ingredients

• All-purpose flour - 4 cups
• Sugar - 1/4 cup
• Active dry yeast - 1 tbsp
• Warm water - 1/4 cup
• Coconut milk - 1 cup
• Butter (melted) - 4 tbsp
• Salt - 1 tsp

Notes

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, coconut milk, and melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a circle about 1/4 inch thick.
6. Place the dough circles on a greased baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and fold in half.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Serve the Coco Bread warm, either plain or filled with your favorite savory fillings.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 342mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 8g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.