Jamaican spice bun also called Easter bun, since “bun” is very popular around Easter time. However, it is enjoyed all year round in Jamaica. For that reason, I decided to go ahead and share with you my recipe.
Other holiday favorites are Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding, Jamaican Fruit Cake and Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding, which are all easy to make at home.
Jamaican Spice Bun
I can remember enjoying bun and cheese for the Easter holiday as a child. We ate popular brands like HTB Jamaican Spice Bun and Jamaica National. Honestly, we never thought of making it at home.
Why Do Jamaicans Eat Bun And Cheese For Easter?
Eating bun and cheese for Easter is a unique Jamaican tradition that has been handed down from one generation to the next.
The Jamaican bun is an adapted version of the hot cross bun, which was introduced by the British. Hot cross buns go way back to the ancient Babylonian pagan empire.
As time went by, Jamaicans modified the hot cross bun by changing the shape from round to rectangular shape and also removing the cross that was on top of the traditional hot cross bun.
They substituted the honey for molasses that were popularly found on sugar plantations, hence the spiced bun has a darker tone.
They also added dried fruits and served the bun with sliced cheese as a sandwich. Some recipes even have Guinness stout added.
Is Jamaican Easter Bun Vegan?
Traditional Jamaican bun recipes are made with eggs, and sometimes butter, but my addictive Jamaican bun recipe is dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Jamaican Bun Ingredients
- Gluten-Free Flour
- Sugar
- Ground Flaxseeds
- Baking Powder
- Spices
- Salt
- Almond Milk
- Sunflower Oil
- Molasses
- Vanilla
- Dried Fruits
How Do You Make Jamaican Easter Bun?
Some of the Jamaican spice bun recipes are made with yeast, but mine is made with baking powder.
- Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray, set aside.
- Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix, gluten-free all-purpose flour, sugar, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, spices, salt. For the gluten-free flour, I used Krusteaz All-Purpose Gluten-Free flour.
- Combine almond milk, sunflower oil, vanilla in a bowl and mix well.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to form a batter. Fold the dried fruits into the batter. Scoop batter into baking pan.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 60-75 minutes or until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Transfer baking pan onto a cooling rack, meanwhile, prepare the glaze. Spread the glaze on the warm spiced bun. Remove the bun from the pan and allow to cool completely. Delicious served with my Vegan Cheddar Cheese.
How To Glaze Jamaican Easter Bun?
- The trick to moist Easter bun is to glaze it as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- This will seal the outer layer and keep the bun moist. Make a simple syrup recipe by combining equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and brush on your Easter Bun.
Other Jamaican Recipes To Try:
- Vegan Jamaican Rice And Peas
- Jamaican Sorrel
- Jamaican Callaloo
- Steamed Cabbage
- Vegan Ackee
- Jerk Sauce
- Jamaican Lentil Patties
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 442 kcal / 1848 kJ
- Fat: 17 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbs: 70 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 15 min
- Cooking: 1 h 15 min
- Ready in: 1 h 30 min
- For: 8 Servings
Ingredients
Spice Bun
- 2 cups all purpose gluten-free flour
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup sunflower oil
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups dried fruits, raisins, cherries, cranberries etc
Simple Syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray, set aside.
- Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix, gluten-free all-purpose flour, sugar, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, spices, salt. For the gluten-free flour, I used Krusteaz All-Purpose Gluten-Free flour.
- Combine almond milk, sunflower oil, vanilla in a bowl and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to form a batter. Fold the dried fruits into the batter. Scoop batter into baking pan.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 60-75 minutes or until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer baking pan onto a cooling rack, meanwhile, prepare the glaze.
- Spread the glaze on the warm spiced bun. Remove the bun from the pan and allow to cool completely. Delicious served with my Vegan Cheddar Cheese.
For The Glaze
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and brush on your Easter Bun.
Can I blend the fruits? I do not like raisins and other dried fruit but blending it is fine for me. Will blending it changes the consistency
Yes, Sandra, it will work.
Can I use frozen black cherries and mix with the raisins instead of dried. I was going to thaw them out first though and let the excess juice deip through drainer first. It was a curiosity of mine for some reason. I like testing the waters. Plus it seems like the flavor would be awesome being not dried. Just a thought! What do you think?🤔
This with vegan cheese is so nice
This recipe looks delicious! I am popular for my Banana Bread but now I have a healthier and delicious Bread I will popular for! Thank you so much!!! ❤️
Thank you Patricia.
Everything about this recipe is amazing: and the texture looks really great. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Romaine, thank you.
Can’t wait to try this with the exact same ingredients as this one.
Hi Michelle,
Your bun looks amazing!
However, I would like to substitute the cane sugar with honey and and the butter with coconut oil. I feel that molasses is too sweet for me, so I’m going to omit this. If I do this will my bun turn out right?
Hello Janet, thank you. I’m not sure because I made it this way and it was such a hit the first time. Please let us know how yours turn out with the adjustments, our readers would definitely appreciate it.
Looks delicious keep up the good my sister.
Thank you Mertyln, I hope you try it.
Hi Michelle, This recipe was easy also delicious. I made a few changes to the ingredients. I used unbleached all-purpose flour, also I only use half cup cane sugar and maple syrup for molasses. Although for the changes it turn out great with the house smelling like Christmas because off the spices uses. I’m 72 years young and enjoy making things for myself that what keep me healthy.
Marlene, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. That is so lovely that you enjoy your independence and healthy eating. Thank you for sharing your adjustments with us. Enjoy the holidays,
We love having someone who can help us with moving forward. Thank you.
Aww, thank you Anya.
For the spice bun. Can cane sugar be substituted with brown sugar or coconut sugar?
Kathy yes you can use either brown sugar and coconut sugar.