Coconut Bread (Guyana -- Caribbean)

Sydney Mike's Note:

This recipe comes from the internet website recipeisland.com. [NOTE: On 29 June 2009 I edited the ingredients, changing the pounds & ounces of flour & sugar to cups.]

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 6 ounces dried fruit (or raisins)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ tablespoon salt
• 2⁄3; cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg , beaten
• ¾ cup milk
• ¼ lb margarine , melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• 1 small coconut , grated (about 2 cups)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & grease two 9-inch loaf pans.
2. In a small bowl, add dried fruit & 1/4 cup of the 4 cups of flour, then strain flour into a large bowl, leaving the dried fruit coated with a bit of flour. Set the dried fruit aside.
3. In that same large bowl, add the rest of the flour then whisk together the flour, baking powder & salt, before adding the sugar, beaten egg, milk, melted margarine, vanilla extract & coconut milk, whisking to combine well.
4. Stir in the grated coconut & dried fruit, blending well. If necessary, knead briefly on a floured surface.
5. Cut dough in half & shape each half into loaves, & placing them in the prepared loaf pans.
6. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown.

Reviews

[Lalaloula]

AWESOME!!!! This recipe is sooooooo delish! The coconut, raisins and vanilla go great together and make for a very, very enjoyable treat! The texture of this bread is light, spongy, fluffy with specks of chewy coconut and fruity raisins. Every bite is delightful!
I made half the recipe baking it in two oven-proof teracotta dishes, which worked out nicely.
Since I didnt want to throw away half an egg, I used the full egg for half the recipe compensating this by reducing the oil by 2 tbs or so. It worked out perfectly.
Syd, this bread even was approved by my mum, who normally does not like what I bake. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this true winner with us!
Made and reviewed for Newest Zaar Tag Game December 2010.

[Mikekey]

This has a great flavor. I used dried apricots, diced. Mine was a bit dry, and only baked for 45 minutes. I think the problem was the way the ingredient list is written (mixing cups and ounces and lbs, etc.). I wasn't sure how much a lb of flour was (I really need a scale) in cups, so I may have added too much. But the flavor is great and I will try it again (hopefully after I get a scale :) )