Description
A traditional Jamaican Toto Cake recipe featuring a moist, spiced coconut cake baked to perfection. This rich cake combines warm spices, shredded coconut, and evaporated milk for a sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
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
- 2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for the batter.
- 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 thoroughly until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cake.
- Add Milk and Coconut: Slowly pour in the evaporated milk and whole milk, folding them into the batter. Then, fold in the shredded sweetened coconut to incorporate it evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and place it in the oven. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the cake top begins to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes to prevent burning.
- Dust with Sugar: After baking, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar as a finishing touch before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure all ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Sifting the dry ingredients ensures a lighter, fluffier cake.
- Use sweetened shredded coconut to maintain the cake’s moistness and enhance the flavor.
- If you do not have evaporated milk, you can substitute with an equal amount of regular milk though it may slightly affect richness.
- Covering the cake with foil while baking prevents the top from over-browning.
- Allow cake to cool before slicing to maintain its structure and texture.
