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Toto Cake

A traditional Jamaican dish — Toto Cake is the island’s humble coconut cake, dense and moist with grated coconut, brown sugar and a cloud of nutmeg.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 35 minCook time
🍽 8Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Toto Cake - Jamaïcain recipe

A traditional Jamaican dish — Toto Cake is the island’s humble coconut cake, dense and moist with grated coconut, brown sugar and a cloud of nutmeg. It began as a tea-time snack baked in coal pots, and every Jamaican grandmother has her own version. Cut it into squares or bake it as individual cakes — it disappears fast either way.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan.
  2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg together in a bowl.
  3. In another bowl, beat the brown sugar, melted butter, egg, coconut milk and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then fold in the grated coconut.
  5. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
  6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Toto is meant to be dense and moist, not airy — do not overmix the batter. Toast the coconut lightly before folding it in for a deeper, nuttier flavor.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook35 min
Servings8
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →