Jamaican Toto Coconut Cake Recipe

This Toto Coconut cake recipe produces a delicious a Jamaican coconut spice cake. It’s not fancy but really good. When my kids were young it was a sweet treat that I’d add to their lunch bag. Today I make it for most family gatherings. A traditional Toto doesn’t include raisins, but I like to add them and some rum for extra flavour and texture. Try my recipe … it’s so easy and delicious!

Ingredients

3 cups All-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups Brown sugar
1 1/2 cups Desiccated (unsweetened) or freshly grated coconut
3 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1 tsp Ground ginger
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Raisins (optional)
2 Eggs, well beaten
2 cups Milk
1/2 cup Butter, melted
1 tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)
1 Tbsp Jamaican rum (optional)

Method

Preheat oven to 350 F
1. In a large bowl mix together all dry ingredients.
2. Beat eggs and milk together and add melted butter.
3. Add vanilla and rum (optional).
4. Add above liquid to bowl with dry ingredients mix until blended. Do not over mix.
5. Place batter in a greased oblong baking dish (about 13″ x 8″) and bake  at 350F for 1 hour.

Cool on rack in baking dish and cut into squares.

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DessertsToto Coconut cake
Comments (17)
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  • Ashley

    Hey, I made this a few days ago and my family loved it! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m gonna try more of your recipes.

  • Sophia

    I made this recipe two days ago and then again yesterday. (That’s how much I loved it!) The first time I freshly grated the coconut and the second time I used the bought kind. The freshly grated coconut made the cake very moist which i strongly preferred. Regardless, this recipe is wonderful and everything I want in a dessert. Thanks for posting!

  • Marilyne

    This looks so good! Can I substitute coconut milk for the regular milk?

    • Cook Like A Jamaican

      That’s a great idea and should be no problem.

  • Leisa

    Thank you so much for this recipe! I tried it a few days ago and it came out perfect and moist. I was a little bit worried at first because when I added the melted butter to the milk and egg mixture it got chunky as the butter started to harden. That did not affect anything (that’s supposed to happen, I guess). I enjoyed it thoroughly, and so did my cousin.

  • Colette

    Hi Fay
    I am in the Uk and was wondering if you can tell me what is the alternative to All Pirpose flour, as they do not sell it here? I would really love to make this, as my dad use to make this for us when we were small and unfortunately has now passed on.
    Thank You!

  • Janet

    Hi Miss Fay. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Hope your family will get to enjoy your delicious cooking and baking over the holidays. Do you have a Ginger Bulla or Rock Cake recipe? Would love to get a Bulla recipe.

    Thanks,

    • Fay & Angela

      Hi Janet,
      Working on a bulla recipes … soon come. Fay

  • Samara

    Hi Collette

    I live in the UK too, and all purpose flour and plain flour are the same thing.

  • Marlene

    This a great recipe, what can I used to replace the butter ..?

    • Fay & Angela

      You can use margarine if you prefer.

  • Carlene

    I love this recipe it was a hit with the whole family, even my picky 8 year old. My hardest critic. I’m a vegan so I used the flax seed egg substitute and it turned out great. Love it:)

  • Marcia

    Today, I am try your Toto recipe, like the idea of rum in it.

  • Rose-Marie

    Oh yummy I just got to try this Toto for my friends. Thanks for sharing I just love it.

  • kashelle iambless

    Love love this recipe did it over 20 times sooooooo good thanks much

  • Jennifer

    What a lovely recipe! Thank you so much. I am going to make it tonight!! Instead of butter I am going to use coconut oil and instead of milk I am going to use coconut milk. I am hoping it will have a rich coconut taste as a result. Looking forward to tasting this!

  • Fay & Angela

    Hi Janet, sure why not. I’ve never tried that before but I think it’s a great idea and they’ll be like muffins. Of course you’ll have to adjust the time in the oven. Fay