Jamaican Bun and Cheese

Published Date
October 9th 2021
Average: 4.4 (14 votes)
#Sweet Desserts #Lacto Vegetarian #Vegetarian #Christmas #Easter #Eggs, Cheese and Milk #Baking #Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
How to make Jamaican Spice Bun! | J...
Slices of Jamaican Bun and Cheese on a plate
Close up of 2 slices of Jamaican Bun and Cheese
Delicious Jamaican Bun

Jamaican Bun and Cheese is a traditional snack found around April in connection with the Christian Easter Celebrations. This snack is Jamaica’s local adaptation of the Colonial tradition of Hot Crossed Buns that are also used in the celebration of Easter. However, the Jamaican bun uses molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane production that was more available than honey used in Hot Crossed Buns. In addition to the molasses, this bun is actually in the shape of a loaf and full of local spices and dried fruits, which gives its iconic flavor. The cheese most commonly used in this snack is another local Jamaican product known as Tastee Cheese. This local cheese is a bright orange, canned, processed cheddar cheese known for its thick, rich, salty flavor. Jamaican Bun and Cheese is a real, local treat that has become a traditional snack that represents the evolution and combination of the history and people of Jamaica.

What kind of cheese is used in Jamaican Bun and Cheese?

Tastee Cheese Otherwise, known as canned cheese, is a bright Orange processed cheese that is similar to American cheese, but thicker in texture. Any cheese will work well as the spices in the bun pair well cheese. 

What is Jamaican bun made of?

The ingredients in Jamaican bun are butter, stout, cherry brandy, guava jam, mixed essence, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, eggs, flour, brown sugar, raisins, citrus peel, baking powder, salt and browning liquid. 

How many calories are in a Jamaican cheese and bun?

There are 203 calories in Jamaican bun and cheese. 
Equipment Needed
12x4x3 inch Loaf Pan 12x4x3 inch Loaf Pan
Bread Knife Bread Knife
Cooling Rack Cooling Rack
Digital Food Kitchen Scale Digital Food Kitchen Scale
Large Mixing Bowl Large Mixing Bowl
Small Mixing Bowl Small Mixing Bowl
Small Pot Small Pot
Spatula Spatula
Vegetable Brush Vegetable Brush
Whisk Whisk
Author: Rachel Ottier-Hart
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
60 mins
Total Time
75 mins
Serves
1 Loaf/ 20 slices

Ingredients

Glaze
  • 2 tablespoons Guava Jam
  • 2 tablespoons Water

Instructions

Soak the raisins in a bowl with the cherry brandy overnight to fully hydrate the fruit.
Arial of a bowl of raisins soaking in cherry brandy
Preheat the oven 350 °F/180 °C and place the rack in the middle of the range.
Grease a loaf pan, and set it aside for later.
Loaf pan being greased with a pastry brush
Mix flour, nutmeg, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and baking powder in one large bowl.
Flour and spices being whisked in a bowl
Mix the butter, stout, guava jam, mixed essence, browning, and egg in a separate large bowl.
butter, stout, eggs and flavorings being mixed with a whisk in a bowl
Blend the sugar into the mixture until fully dissolved.
Brown sugar being added to a bowl
Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mixture until fully incorporated.
Wet and dry ingredients being mixed in a bowl
Fold in the mixed peel and soaked raisins, making sure to distribute them within the batter evenly.
Raisins and citrus peel being mixed into batter with a whisk
Pour into the loaf pan, place in the center of the oven, bake for 45 minutes, and test by poking a toothpick into the loaf; if it removes cleanly with no batter on end, it’s ready. If not, bake for another 15 minutes and test again.
Arial of loaf pan being filled with batter
Once the loaf is ready, remove it from the oven and place it on a cooling rack for 20 minutes before serving.
Cooked Jamaican bun cooling on a rack
Slice and serve with a slice of Tastee Cheese and enjoy.
Jamaican bun on a cutting board with 1 piece sliced
Glaze
Using a saucepan dissolve the jam in the water until syrup consistency, then brush over the top of the warm loaf while cooling.
Overview of a pot with guava glaze being whisked on a gas burner.

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Keywords
Jamaican spice bun and cheese, Jamaican cheese and bun, recipe, tradition, easy

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