Gluten Free Jamaican Easter Bun

Name: Jamaican Easter Bun
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 eggs; ¼ cup melted butter; 1 cup coconut milk ((canned)); 1 tablespoon browning; 2 tablespoons molasses; 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar; 3 cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup blended fruits; ½ cup raisins ((soaked)); ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries ((chopped)); Glaze:; 2 tablespoons jam ((of your choice)); 2 tablespoons butter

This Jamaican Easter Bun recipe is rich and packed with fruits and warm spices. It’s traditionally served with cheese for that sweet and savory balance. This version is made without stout and uses gluten free ingredients while keeping the flavor and texture you expect from a spice bun.

Gluten Free Spice Bun

I wanted to create a gluten free version of this bun that still felt familiar, especially around Easter. Inspired by Jam Down Foodie’s Easter bun recipe, I did a little experimenting with this one, and it came together more easily than I expected.

I focused on ingredients like coconut milk, butter, and soaked fruits to keep the texture soft and moist. The browning, molasses, and warm spices bring that deep, classic flavor without relying on stout. It’s a version you can enjoy year round, not just during Easter. I shared a version of this gluten free Jamaican Easter bun over on Instagram, and it turned out just as rich and soft as I hoped.

Table of Contents[Show All]

Gluten Free Spice Bun
Why You’ll Love This Gluten Free Jamaican Easter Bun Recipe
Why do Jamaicans eat bun and cheese for Easter?
Ingredients for Gluten Free Jamaican Easter Bun
How to Make Jamaican Easter Bun
Storage
Tips for the Best Jamaican Easter Spice Bun
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaican Easter Bun

This tradition is closely connected to hot cross buns, which I also make in my own kitchen, so a lot of those same flavors carry over here.

Why You’ll Love This Gluten Free Jamaican Easter Bun Recipe

Easy Quick Bread Recipe: I didn’t want to deal with yeast here. Everything mixes together easily and bakes up in about an hour, which makes it much more manageable.
Full Flavor Without Stout: You still get that deep color and richness from the browning, molasses, and spices, so nothing feels flat or watered down.
Still Good with Cheese: You can still slice this up and have it with cheese just like you normally would. The flavor holds up, so it still feels like a proper bun and cheese moment.

Sliced Jamaican Easter bun served with thick slices of cheese stacked between each piece.

Why do Jamaicans eat bun and cheese for Easter?

Jamaicans eat bun and cheese at Easter as part of a tradition rooted in British colonial hot cross buns, which evolved locally into the spiced Easter bun. The sweet, dense bun is paired with slices of Jamaican cheese, like Tastee Cheese. Together, they create that signature sweet and savory contrast that has become a cultural staple during the Easter season.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Jamaican Easter Bun

Each ingredient here really has a purpose, especially when it comes to texture and flavor.

Eggs: I use eggs to help bind everything together and give the bun structure, especially without gluten.
Butter & Coconut Milk: These add richness and keep the crumb soft and moist so the bun doesn’t dry out.
Browning & Molasses: This combination gives the bun its deep color and that bold, slightly bittersweet flavor you expect.
Dark Brown Sugar: I like using dark brown sugar for extra depth and moisture from the molasses.
Gluten Free All Purpose Flour: This keeps the recipe accessible while still giving you a nice, sliceable texture when paired with the right ingredients.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: I use both to help the bun rise and keep it from feeling too dense.
Spices (Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Allspice, Cloves): These are what make it a proper spice bun, warm, fragrant, and full of flavor.
Salt: Just a small amount to balance the sweetness and bring everything together.
Blended Fruits, Raisins & Cherries: These add moisture, texture, and little bursts of sweetness throughout the bun. I like to soak the raisins so they stay plump.

Glaze for Spice Bun

Jam: Adds a light sweetness and gives the bun that glossy finish.
Butter: Helps smooth out the glaze and gives it a nice shine when brushed on top.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Jamaican Easter Bun

Preheat the Oven

I start by preheating my oven to 350°F so it’s ready once the batter is mixed. I also grease and line my loaf tin to make sure the bun releases easily after baking.

Empty loaf pan lined with parchment paper and ready for batter.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, I combine the eggs, melted butter, coconut milk, browning, and molasses, mixing until everything is smooth. Then I add the brown sugar and continue mixing until it dissolves into the mixture.

Wet ingredients for Jamaican Easter bun being whisked together in a bowl.

Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, I sift together the gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. This helps evenly distribute everything before combining.

Dry ingredients including flour and spices being sifted together in a bowl.

Gluten free flour mixture being combined in a wooden bowl with a spatula.

Bring Everything Together

I make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture, then add the blended fruits, soaked raisins, and cherries. I mix until there are no dry spots, keeping it simple and not overworking the batter.

Molasses and browning added to gluten free flour in a mixing bowl.

Thick batter for Jamaican Easter bun being mixed in a bowl.

Bake the Bun

I pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be set and slightly firm to the touch.

Jamaican Easter bun batter poured into a loaf pan.

Jamaican Easter bun batter poured into a loaf pan and topped with scattered cherries before baking.

Glaze and Cool

While the bun is baking, I combine the jam and butter and warm it in the microwave until smooth. I used what I had on hand here, but you can use any jam you like. Once the bun comes out of the oven, I brush the glaze over the top, then let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

A baked Jamaican Easter bun in a loaf pan with a glossy glaze brushed over the top.

Hands adjusting parchment paper around a freshly baked Jamaican Easter bun in a loaf pan.

Storage

Store the bun in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 days to maintain its softness. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and refrigerate or freeze, then bring to room temperature before serving.

Tips for the Best Jamaican Easter Spice Bun

Do not overmix the batter. Mix just until everything is combined to avoid a dense or tough texture, especially when working with gluten free flour.
Soak the raisins beforehand. This helps keep them plump and prevents them from drying out or pulling moisture from the bun while baking.
Use a well-balanced batter consistency. The batter should be thick but still pourable, which helps the bun bake evenly and hold together when sliced.
Check for doneness with a toothpick. Insert it into the center of the bun, and if it comes out clean, it’s ready. This prevents overbaking and keeps the bun from drying out.
Glaze while the bun is still warm. Brushing the glaze on right after baking helps it absorb slightly and gives the top a nice shine.
Let it cool before slicing. Allowing the bun to rest helps it set properly, making it easier to slice without crumbling.

A slice of Jamaican Easter bun being cut from a loaf on parchment paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jamaican Easter bun tradition?

Jamaican Easter bun is traditionally eaten during Easter, often paired with slices of cheese as part of a long-standing cultural custom. The tradition evolved from British hot cross buns and has become a staple across Jamaica during the Easter season.

What does Jamaican Easter bun taste like?

Jamaican Easter bun has a rich, slightly sweet flavor with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with notes of molasses and dried fruits. This recipe keeps those same flavors while using gluten-free ingredients, so the taste remains familiar and balanced.

Will this gluten free bun taste different from a traditional one?

The flavor stays very similar because of the spices, molasses, and fruits. The texture may be slightly more tender, but it still slices well and works with cheese.

Why is my bun crumbly after baking?

This can happen if there isn’t enough moisture or if it’s overbaked. Make sure to measure ingredients accurately and check for doneness without leaving it in the oven too long.