Coconut Sweet Bread - Trinidad

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup chopped dried mixed fruit
• 1 cup raisins or 1 cup sultana
• 3 cups coconut, grated (not dried or sweetened)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
• 2 eggs, well-beaten
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 2 teaspoons almond essence
• 1/2 lb butter (melted) or 1/2 lb margarine (melted)

Recipe

• 1 mix and sift flour, baking powder and salt four times.
• 2 add sugar and fruit; blend evenly.
• 3 add coconut, cinamon and grated nutmeg and stir well.
• 4 in another bowl combine the whipped eggs, milk, essence and cooled melted butter. mix well.
• 5 make a well in the flour mixture.
• 6 pour the egg mixture into the well and stir with a spoon. batter will be heavy and mixture will be fairly stiff.
• 7 do not knead or bread will be tough. mix entirely by spoon, assisted by a knife.
• 8 pile into 2 non-stick or greased loaf tins.
• 9 bake at 325 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
• 10 optional: when done, glaze with mixture of 1 tablespoon sugar and one tablespoon water. sprinkle with granulated sugar and return to the oven for 3 -4 minutes.