Jamaican Easter Spice Bun
Jamaican Easter Spice Bun — Highly Spiced Jamaican bread, soft, tender studded with raisins and fruits. Absolutely delightful anytime!

This is the time of the year, when Christians abstain from meat and flock towards bread and meat-free goods. I am happy to say I’m one of those Christians. Growing up, during the Lenten Season, especially on Fridays we would only eat bread and water until sunset. Hot cross buns were only reserved for Good Friday and my siblings and I waited for them impatiently. It was the highlight of our Lenten Season.
Gosh! I miss those days… I always do have a fondness for spicy bread — this Jamaican Spice Bun is no exception. The good thing is it’s eaten year round. However, the Easter Spice Buns are made extra special- sweeter, and studded with dried fruit for the Lenten Season and especially on Good Friday. This is the Jamaican sweeter take on the ever popular hot cross bun.

You can find as many different adaptions to the classic recipe as there are cooks – made with or without yeast. I’m ashamed to say I totally went overboard – trying out different variations and they are all worth making at home.
My preferred version has a modern twist to it — Guinness — substituting the liquid ingredients of milk for something a little tastier… Guinness Stout. Giving it an incredibly rich brown color. This one below is sans – without Guinness.
This is made with half Guinness and half milk.
For those that have never baked with Guinness I think you are in for a treat! Guinness contains a lot of complex flavors and definitely adds depth of flavor to baked goods with mild notes of cocoa and a strong malt flavor- making this bread truly unique and delightful. This amazing bread takes about 15 minutes to prep and is studded with raisins dried fruit. And wonderfully fragrant spices from nutmeg, cinnamon allspice, together with molasses and browning sauce. Yes! Quite a flavorful bread – sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Traditionally, this is served with hard cheese or you can make a cheese sandwich.
Notes
- Browning is a Caribbean Sauce that is used to darken sauces, stews, or meat and even baked goods. If this is too dark for your liking then you might want to cut back on the browning – or eliminate completely.
Looking for a light airy Hot Cross Bun then check this out!
Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Enjoy!!!!
Watch How To Make It
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Made your spicy bun twice with much success. I was pleasantly surprised at how moist it was. I’m accustomed to the yeast buns during this season but so glad I found this recipe. Great taste, less work. Thank you fotr sharing. Incidentally, does this bun freeze well?
Thanks . It does freeze well. Tightly wrap in Saran Wrap or plastic wrap.
May I ask how long it can be kept frozen I have a store bought one that has a months expiry date but want to freeze it for about the same time, as I have to go somewhere for a month and prefer to keep it home.
It sure can. Tightly wrap and place in a ziplock bag . Then remove and reheat in the oven on low heat(250-300 degrees) until heated through.
Thanks so much for the recipe! I just baked two today. The first one, I used all Guinness, and the second one was half milk/half Guinness for liquid. Can’t wait to dig in!
Great! Thanks for taking the time to let me Faith.
Hey Imma! I just wanted to thank you for this amazing recipe! My boyfriend and I are both Jamaican so it’s been such a joy being able to recreate the taste of home over here in the UK. My coworkers are all huge fans of this as well – I had to bake more the demand was so high! I’m planning to make another for my family Easter gathering and I know it’s going to be a hit!
Thank you so much Tamara!!! So happy to hear this!
Thanks for getting back with me. My husband’s co-worker is Jamaican and has never made a bun. She is going to bake your recipe too. Happy early Easter !!!
Hi! I just came across your Easter Bun recipe. I am going to make it this Easter- 2018. I have a couple questions:
-Are the cherries on top and in the batter maraschino or candied?
– My husband and I do not drink alcohol. Can I use the name brand drink called Malta?
– Is browning used for flavor and color? Will it make a big difference if I don’t use it?
-Can you eat Velveeta cheese instead of Tastee Cheese with this?
As you can see- I am totally going to make this! I have read all your reviews and it sounds like it makes an awesome bun! I can’t wait to bake this! Thanks so much.
Hi Verlina, the cherries on top are maraschino and yes you can use Malta and Velveeta cheese works as well – What ever cheese rocks your boat.
Yes browning is used for both flavor and color . Hope this helps ! Happy Cooking !!!
I tried this recipe and it came out great.
Guinness gives it great color and flavor.
Just Mix a little bit of honey with maple syrup
And brush the top 2-3 times for beat results.
Awesome ! Thanks for taking the time to share with us. Happy Holidays!!!
What is Jamaican Browning. What does it consist of
It’s burnt sugar . Sold in Caribbean Markets and some supermarkets depending on location.
Followed recipe exactly, except put one cup raisins only instead of fruits and cherries. It came out amazing! Family and friends loved It!
So pleased to hear Simone! Thanks for letting me know.
Hi there, Can I use real cherries soaked in Rum or will it get soggy?
Real cherries would do just fine.
Hello Imma,I love love this bun!! I make it when ever I feel I deserve a treat! It is so lovely. Pls can I use a non alcoholic malt drink to replace the Guinness? I want to give it as a gift to someone who doesn’t take alcohol. Thank you
Hi Lizzy ! You sure can. Another reader tried them with malt and loved it . Thanks!
So I tried the recipe last night and it came out great!! I did not have Guinness and so I used malt beer. I love it! Thanks again for such an easy and straightforward recipe!
Lesa
Awesome! Glad to hear it worked out well for you with malt beer. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
I just made this bun and it was exceptionally great. I am Jamaican and I have never tasted a bun so great. The one bought in the store is way too sweet and dry so I opted to use yours and I am grateful. I kind of added some other stuff but I can tell you your recipe SELLOFF. Thanks so much.
Fantastic!! Thanks for letting me know.
What is the breakdown of the 2 1/2 teaspoons spice mix. Is it 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice?
I used this measurement; 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon allspice and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. It’s more of personal preference. You can always switch it up.
Made this for my dad this Easter and he loved it! He’s vegan, so I subbed the egg with found flax seed, mixed in spelt flour and used agave instead of white sugar. You wouldn’t have known I changed a thing! Tasted like I bought it fresh out a Caribbean vegan bakery! Can’t wait to try all your vegan recipes! Thinking I’ll try the doubles first ;). Thank you for sharing all these incredible recipes.
I have been skeptical about using flax seed to replace eggs in baking. You, my friend, have just convinced me to give it a try. Am sure other readers would benefit from this too! Thank you so much for sharing Alana.
P.S you are going to go crazy for the doubles , can’t seem to get enough of it.
Have a Great Day!!!!!
Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for such clear and easy instructions! ☺
Lesa
Hi lesa! Glad to hear you find it helpful. Do let me know how it works out for you.
Made this today, solid recipe! Serving with Tastee Tin cheese. Very pleased.
WOOHOO! Glad to hear it was a success!
I’m married to a Jamaican and today he said he wanted bun for Easter and I came across your recipe.I followed all the instructions without changing anything and I must say it came out perfect.THANKS for sharing the recipe and will be coming back on your page for more recipes.
Awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know .
Happy a Great Easter!!!!
I WAS LOOKING FOR JAMAICAN EASTER BUN RECIPES AND I CAME ACROSS YOURS…YOU DID NOT SAY WHAT SIZE LOAF PAN YOU USED…I HAVE COUNTED THE CHERRIES ON TOP….WAS IT ONE OR TWO SIX INCHES LOAF PAN YOU USED….THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY
It’s 9x 5 Loaf Pan.
Hello! Can anyone who’s already made this let us know how it turned out? Every time I try to make something like this it’s a catastrophe 😀 Too dry, won’t rise, tough or too “cake-y”
Does it have that real “solid”kind of bun texture? Almost chewy but not quite? Tell me quick before I go and buy the guinness 😀
Um… you know a “cup” of Guinness? How big is a cup, please? Take pity on a poor Brit!
Apart from that, apologies for my previous daft question, I can see that several peeps have tried it and loved it! Off to buy a tin of Guinness now 😉
No worries ! . Ask all you want. A cup is about 235 ml or 8 ounce. Happy Cooking!!!
Thanks so much Imma. I hope i can make this in a stove oven? I do not have a gas oven yet.
I will be making this bun this week end ,are you a Jamaican chef?
Awesome! Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Hi Imma
Your bun looks so yummy I would love to make it but family member has allergy to eggs. Pls can leave out the egg. Or an alternative.
Thanks Herma
Hi Herma! You can use 1/4 cup apple sauce or vegetable oil to make up for the egg. Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks!
Thank’s very much for ur guick response. I will let you know.
Herma