Toasted Coconut Bread

When we were in Hawaii, we had some of the best coconut dishes.  Many restaurants served small coconut muffins or breads on the menu or as starters.  I was intrigued to find a subtle and delicious way to bring it to life once we got home.  And, I’d say we knocked it out of the park with this one!

Makes 1 standard loaf or 4 mini loaves

Ingredients:

2 cups regular or gluten free flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup coconut cream

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, divided

3 medium bananas, overly ripe is best

½ tsp vanilla extract

Icing:

4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp coconut cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a standard loaf pan (or 4 minis) with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.  Alternatively, line with parchment paper.

In a large bowl or using a stand mixture, fitted with a whisk attachment, stir together egg and sugar until well combined. Add the coconut cream and mix well.  Add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt) to the wet and stir until just combined. The mixture will be thick and dry. Add 1/2 cup coconut flakes and incorporate.  Then add bananas and vanilla to the mixture and stir until incorporated.

Pour the batter into prepared loaf pan or divide evenly into minis. For regular loaf, bake 50-75 minutes until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. For minis, reduce time to 35-50 minutes. Remove bread from oven to a cooling rack and let cool.

Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees once bread has been removed.  Place remaining 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes on small baking sheet. Cook 7-8 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Watch closely, moving around the coconut while cooking to ensure it doesn’t overcook.  Once done, set aside for later.

While bread is cooling, prepare icing.  Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and coconut cream until smooth.  Set aside until ready to ice the bread.  If desired, place in refrigerator.

One bread is cooled, ice with coconut frosting.  Sprinkle with roasted coconut and serve.

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Kale and Mango Salad with Crunchy Quinoa and Lemon Tahini Dressing