Sweet Bread (Bajan)

A lovely sweet loaf similar to a teacake.

2½ cups coconut, grated
½ cup butter, melted
4 cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
1 Tbsp. shortening
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
¾ cup sugar
1 cup raisins
1 egg, beaten
1¼ cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. pure almond essence

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Grease loaf pans with shortening.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, coconut, sugar and the raisins together in a bowl. Add egg, evaporated milk, butter and almond essence and mix together well until you have a firm dough.

Divide dough in half and fill loaf pans.

Mix 2 Tbsp. of sugar and 1 Tbsp. of hot water and brush mixture over the loaves.

Bake in center of oven for about 1 hour or until skewer inserted into center comes out clean.

Let cool in the pans before removing and serving.