Jamaican Easter Bun Recipe

For all those lucky enough to experience Jamaica, Easter time is a really special time. The island is decorated with bright colorful flags, flowers, and decorations. Every year, Jamaicans bake a special treat to celebrate Easter – the Jamaican Easter bun. This traditional treat is a soft, spongy, and sweet bread with varying ingredients, including pieces of fruit and cheese. Enjoy this recipe for classic Jamaican Easter buns!

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups (374 grams) All-purpose flour

  • ¼ cup (50 grams) white granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) active dry yeast

  • ½ teaspoon (3 grams) nutmeg

  • ½ teaspoon (3 grams) cinnamon

  • 2 tablespoons (25 grams) melted butter

  • 1 teaspoon (14 grams) salt

  • ¾ cup (175 ml) warm water

  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) blackstrap molasses

  • ⅓ cup (60 ml) un-sulfured molasses

  • ⅓ cup (60 ml) orange juice

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white rum

  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

  • 1 cup (120 grams) dark or currants raisins

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) softened butter, for later use

  • Sanding sugar, optional

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, active yeast, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Attach a dough hook to the mixer and mix on low speed.

  2. Add the melted butter, salt, and ¾ cup warm water, and mix just until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix for about 5 minutes until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolk until lightly beaten. With the mixer running, add the eggs and mix until completely incorporated.

  4. Add blackstrap molasses, un-sulfured molasses, orange juice, white rum, and vanilla extract, and mix on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until the dough is glossy and smooth.

  5. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the raisins, mixing just until incorporated.

  6. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in size in a warm spot, or overnight in the refrigerator.

  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.

  8. Punch down the dough and knead for a few minutes, then divide into 12-14 portions about 78 grams each. Roll each portion into a ball, and place in the pan.

  9. Brush the tops of the buns with the softened butter, and sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired.

  10. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the buns are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  11. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

  12. Enjoy!