If you have a soft spot for warm, comforting desserts filled with delightful island flavors, you’re going to absolutely love this Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe. It’s a traditional Jamaican coconut cake that strikes the perfect balance between moist and tender, with a rich, spiced sweetness that makes each bite feel like a mini celebration. This cake not only brings a touch of the Caribbean to your kitchen but also offers a wonderful way to enjoy familiar ingredients like shredded coconut, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a totally heartwarming form. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become one of your favorite go-to recipes for gatherings or simple sweet cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe is beautifully simple in terms of ingredients, yet each one plays a crucial role in shaping the cake’s amazing flavor, texture, and appearance. From the creams of butter and sugar creating a tender crumb, the assortment of warm spices, to the luscious shredded coconut that adds a tropical crunch, every element melds perfectly. Let’s break down what you’ll need:
- Butter (1/2 cup, room temperature): Provides a creamy base for moistness and richness in the cake.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup): Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances the sweetness and contributes to a tender crumb.
- Eggs (2): Bind ingredients and add structure to the batter.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors with a warm, aromatic note.
- Flour (2 3/4 cups): The foundation that forms the cake’s body and texture.
- Baking powder (1 tablespoon): Helps the cake rise beautifully for a light, fluffy result.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses the cake with classic Jamaican warmth.
- Ginger (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle zing to complement the spice profile.
- Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Brings depth and a cozy aroma.
- Sweetened shredded coconut (2 cups): The star ingredient that delivers tropical texture and sweetness.
- Evaporated milk (1 can, 12 oz): Gives rich, creamy moisture that keeps the cake perfectly dense.
- Whole milk (1/4 cup): Slightly thins the batter while adding creaminess.
- Powdered sugar (1 tablespoon): Optional finishing touch that adds a delicate sweetness and pretty dusting.
How to Make Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s hot and ready when your batter is done. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to ensure the cake won’t stick and comes out with clean edges. A non-stick spray or a generous rub of butter will do the trick beautifully.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the butter together with both the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is essential—it incorporates air into the batter, which helps that perfect, tender crumb form when baking. Once creamed, add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smoothly combined and aromatic.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Sifting or stirring these dry ingredients well ensures your cake rises evenly and that the spices are distributed beautifully throughout every bite.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mix into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Be gentle as you fold everything to just combine—over-mixing can make your cake dense rather than light. The batter will start to thicken, and you’ll notice that inviting spicy aroma beginning to come through.
Step 5: Add the Milks and Coconut
Slowly pour in the evaporated milk and the whole milk, blending carefully before folding in the shredded coconut. The coconut lends a delightful tropical texture and hints of natural sweetness, which makes this cake uniquely Jamaican and simply irresistible.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, keeping an eye on the top. If it browns too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes to prevent burning while the middle finishes baking. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Finish
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan so it firms up and slices beautifully. Once cool, dust the surface lightly with powdered sugar if you like, adding a simple and elegant sweetness to the top of your Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe.
How to Serve Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of toasted shredded coconut or a light drizzle of honey or rum syrup to enhance the tropical flair. Freshly grated nutmeg or a dusting of cinnamon can also bring extra warmth to the presentation.
Side Dishes
Pair this moist cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dish of whipped cream to complement its richness. Fresh tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, or even a side of sliced bananas brighten the plate and amplify that island vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve slices of this Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe in small squares as part of a dessert platter or alongside afternoon tea. You can also cut it into small bite-sized pieces, skewer them for mini kabobs with fruit, or use the cake as a base for layered trifle desserts featuring coconut cream and fruit layers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It stays moist and flavorful without drying out, making it perfect for enjoying later without any fuss.
Freezing
This cake freezes wonderfully. Wrap it well in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you want a sweet treat, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator overnight to retain its moist texture and delicious flavor.
Reheating
To enjoy it warm, microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds or warm in the oven at a low temperature wrapped in foil. This brings back that fresh-baked sensation and makes the cake feel freshly made all over again.
FAQs
Is this Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe very sweet?
It strikes a lovely balance of sweetness—not too overpowering but definitely satisfying. The combination of brown sugar, granulated sugar, and coconut creates a natural, mellow sweetness complemented by warm spices.
Can I substitute the shredded coconut in the recipe?
Fresh or unsweetened shredded coconut can be used as an alternative, but keep in mind this might alter the sweetness and texture slightly. Sweetened coconut is traditional for the authentic moist, sweet bite.
What if I don’t have evaporated milk?
You can substitute evaporated milk with regular whole milk or a mix of cream and milk, but the richness may be less intense. For the closest texture and flavor, evaporated milk is best.
Can this cake be made gluten-free?
Yes, with a proper gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, you can replace the all-purpose flour. Just ensure your blend includes xanthan gum or a similar binding agent to achieve the right texture.
How long will this cake stay fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature, your Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe will stay fresh and delicious for about 3 days. Refrigeration can extend freshness but may slightly change the texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making and sharing this Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe. It’s a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something deeply comforting and wonderfully flavorful. Not only will it brighten any dessert table, but it also carries the warmth of Jamaican tradition in every bite. Give it a try—you’re going to want to keep this recipe close for every joyful occasion.
Print
Jamaican Toto Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 – 9×13-inch cake
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Description
Jamaican Toto Cake is a traditional coconut cake that is rich, moist, and flavorful. This delightful dessert features a perfect blend of warm spices and shredded coconut, baked to golden perfection. It’s an ideal treat for special occasions or whenever you crave a sweet tropical dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter with both the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This helps incorporate air for a light cake texture. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix again until all ingredients are well combined.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Sifting ensures even distribution of spices and avoids lumps in your batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed wet mixture. Mix slowly until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the cake dense.
- Add Milk and Coconut: Slowly pour in the evaporated milk and whole milk while gently folding them into the batter. Finally, fold in the shredded coconut until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the cake top begins to brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven, let it cool completely in the pan, then dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a more intense coconut flavor, you can toast the shredded coconut lightly before adding it to the batter.
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature to achieve the best creaming results.
- Covering the cake with foil towards the end of baking helps prevent over-browning while allowing the center to cook fully.
- This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Toto cake is often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.
