Description
Jamaican Toto Cake is a moist and flavorful coconut cake featuring warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This traditional Jamaican dessert combines shredded sweetened coconut and evaporated milk for a rich, dense texture, baked to perfection for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Add-ins and Toppings
- 2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to ensure even distribution of all spices and leavening agents.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently until just incorporated to avoid overmixing and maintaining a tender crumb.
- Add Milk and Coconut: Slowly pour in the evaporated milk and whole milk, then carefully fold in the shredded sweetened coconut until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake: Transfer the prepared batter into the greased baking dish and bake for 40-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. If the cake’s top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Dust with Sugar: After removing the cake from the oven, allow it to cool. Then dust the top with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming.
- Sifting the dry ingredients helps produce a lighter texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent a dense cake.
- Covering the cake with foil toward the end prevents over-browning.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.
- Use sweetened shredded coconut for best flavor and texture.
