Jamaican Easter Bun: A Slice of Tradition with Every Bite
When Easter rolls around in Jamaica, it’s more than just a holiday — it’s a cultural celebration, and no tradition is more deliciously sacred than the Jamaican Easter Bun. Sweet, spicy, rich, and filled with dried fruits, this bun is typically enjoyed with slices of Jamaican cheese, creating a flavor combination that generations have grown up loving.
A Colonial Legacy Turned Cultural Treasure
The Jamaican Easter Bun traces its roots back to the British hot cross bun, traditionally eaten on Good Friday. But as with most things, Jamaicans put their spin on it. Over time, the humble spiced bun transformed, growing in size, deepening in color, and becoming infused with bold Caribbean flavors.
Today’s Easter bun is a loaf-style cake, darker and denser than the British version, often made with molasses, Malta, and or Guinness stout, or most malt drinks, browning, and a medley of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The result is a moist, fragrant, and uniquely Jamaican treat.
Why Cheese, Though?
If you’re not from Jamaica, you might raise an eyebrow at the pairing of sweet bun with cheddar cheese. Not just any cheddar cheese, it has to be Tastee cheese, see it here ----> https://amzn.to/4lGYPn6
But trust us — it works. The bun’s rich, fruity sweetness perfectly balances the salty, sharp bite of Jamaican processed cheese (think Tastee Cheese in the famous tin). Together, it becomes a nostalgic snack or breakfast that many Jamaicans can’t imagine Easter without.
More Than Just Food: It’s a Feeling
Making and sharing Easter buns is about more than taste — it’s about togetherness. Looking forward to a thick slice of bun and my fav, the biggest cut of thickly sliced taste cheese. Supermarkets fill their shelves with neatly packaged buns, and families pick out their favorite brand.
For many, a slice of Easter bun brings back memories of childhood, of family, of faith, and of Jamaican resilience and creativity. Over time, the commercial brands we know and have grown to love declined in quality by being too dry, too sweet, too doughy, or simply not good, therefore, I have been making my own easter bun.
Want to Try It Yourself?
Whether you’re Jamaican by birth or Jamaican at heart, baking your Easter bun is a sweet way to tap into the island’s traditions. Check out my homemade Jamaican Easter Bun recipe to get started — and don’t forget the cheese!
Recipe
Traditional Homemade Jamaican Easter Bun (No Yeast)
Ingredients:
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• tsp ground allspice
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 cup Malta (Guinness or dragon stout can also be used)
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp melted butter (or vegetable oil)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped cherries)
• ¼ cup chopped mixed peel (optional)
• 1 tbsp grated orange zest
• 1 tbsp browning
• ¼ oil, (I used avocado oil)
Glaze (optional):
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp water
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Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Soak fruits in Guinness for at least 30 minutes (overnight is better for flavor).
3. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
4. In another bowl, mix malta, sugar, molasses, melted butter, vanilla, browning, and eggs. Stir in the soaked fruits, and chopped peel if using.
5. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. I like leaving my butter for last in case the batter is too thick. However, if you have already added, you can still add a little more melted butter or malta.
6. Pour into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 70 minutes (1 hour and 10 minutes), or until a skewer comes out clean.
7. For the glaze: Mix melted butter and cherry juice. Brush on top of the bun as soon as it comes out of the oven for a glossy finish.
8. Let cool completely before slicing. Serve with Jamaican Tastee cheese for the real experience.
Enjoy!
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