Sweet Coconut Bread

4.72 from 14 votes
41 Comments

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Coconut Bread is a moist sweet bread with a hint of almond. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just for a sweet treat!

Sweet Coconut Bread slice on a plate next to a loaf.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Sweet Coconut Bread
  2. Coconut Bread Step by Step
  3. Variations to this Coconut Bread
  4. Make it more of a Coconut Loaf Cake
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Coconut Bread
  6. Even More Sweet Bread Recipes
  7. How to Make Coconut Bread
  8. Sweet Coconut Bread Recipe

If you are crazy about coconut, you will LOVE this Coconut bread recipe! Of all the sweet bread recipes out there, this one has to be one of my favorite quick bread recipes, if not my favorite. The coconut flavor is subtle but sweet and the complements the delicate sweetness of the almond flavor. It just tastes so yummy! I mean, it’s everything an Almond Joy offers (minus the chocolate) in bread form. It’s just a great flavor combination. It’s moist yet light, with a crunchy texture on top. Delicious for breakfast, an after school snack, or it can easily double as cake for a quick dessert.

Sliced Sweet Coconut Bread on a cutting board.


Ingredients in Sweet Coconut Bread

This coconut bread recipe is one of my favorites to make and have on hand when guests come over or when I need to pull out a quick dessert for the family. Here’s what you need:

For the Bread Batter

  • Two large eggs – whisk in a large bowl
  • Sugar – one cup of regular white sugar
  • Coconut extract – one tsp. You can find this in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. A small bottle will last forever!
  • Buttermilk – if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by adding two tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice to two cups of regular milk. It’s easy! You can also use a cup coconut milk (unsweetened coconut milk) or unsweetened almond milk in place of regular full fat milk.
  • Salt 
  • Baking powder 
  • Baking soda
  • All purpose flour – I have also subbed ½ cup flour for ½ cup coconut flour. Or you can use half wheat flour and half white flour.
  • Coconut – I like sweetened coconut, but you can use unsweetened coconut if you want a little less sweetness.
  • Chopped almonds

TOPPING:

  • Sugar – you can use a sprinkling of white or brown sugar for the topping.
  • Water
  • Butter – Use either unsalted butter or salted, whichever you have on hand.
  • Almond extract – again, find this in the baking aisle. Vanilla extract can be used as a substitution.
Mixing bowl of all ingredients for Sweet Coconut Bread batter.

Coconut Bread Step by Step

  1. First, combine eggs, sugar, shortening and coconut extract together in a large bowl.
  2. Next, slowly mix in the buttermilk and combine flour mixture.
  3. Pour batter into a prepared loaf pan (usually a 9×5 inch loaf pan or loaf tin). Use baking spray or parchment paper so it doesn’t stick.
  4. Put in a preheated oven and bake for about 60-70 minutes at 325 degrees.
  5. You’ll know when it’s done when you can stick a knife or a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean.
  6. Leave the bread in the pans; do not use a cooling rack or wire rack.
  7. While it’s baking, make the sugar topping by boiling sugar and water for a few minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and add butter and almond extract in a small bowl to create a glaze, then set aside.
  9. Pour over the baked bread and let it set at room temperature for about two hours before removing loaves from the pan.
Pan of baked Sweet Coconut Bread.

Variations to this Coconut Bread

  • Reader comments on our post have raised a few questions about substitutions. For example, several people have asked about the possibility of subbing out the shortening in favor of something else. If you don’t have shortening in the house, or just don’t want to use it, you can always use butter in its place. Or, as some have suggested, coconut oil.
  • Another question is about the buttermilk. Since buttermilk is not something everyone keeps on hand, you can actually make your own. Simply put 1 Tablespoon of vinegar into a measuring cup then fill to the one cup line with milk. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then stir. Voila! Buttermilk substitution.
  • Be sure to use shredded coconut. We use the sweetened coconut flakes. Natural coconut flakes would work, it will just be less sweet.
  • Toast the bread and spread with butter for a delicious breakfast.
  • Dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
  • Add the zest of lime to the batter for a tangy flavor.
  • Store in the fridge or the freezer for optimal freshness.
Hand holding a slice of Sweet Coconut Bread.

Make it more of a Coconut Loaf Cake

To make this coconut bread more like a coconut pound cake, you can add a simple coconut glaze to the top (use coconut milk and mix with powdered sugar) and sprinkle coconut flakes on top. It tastes so yummy! If you love coconut cake, you MUST try our Coconut Cream Cake recipe with coconut cream cheese frosting layer. I promise you, one slice of this cake will change your life. I also love our Hawaiian Wedding Cake recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions about Coconut Bread

Can I use almond or coconut flour instead of all purpose flour?

Almond flour typically makes breads like this very dry, so we recommend using all purpose flour.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

If you’re wanting a gluten free bread, we suggest using a GF mixed flour for better results. We like using Namaste flour from Costco. You can use it 1:1 in any recipe.

How long should I mix the eggs, sugar and shortening together? And how long should I mix after adding the dry ingredients?

Try not to over mix everything. Just combine the wet ingredients, then slowly add the dry ingredients until there aren’t any lumps.

READ NEXT: 33+ Breakfast Ideas

Even More Sweet Bread Recipes

Since you can never really have too much of a good thing, here are a few more recipes for our favorite sweet breads.

How to Make Coconut Bread

Sweet Coconut Bread slice on a plate next to a loaf.

Sweet Coconut Bread

4.72 from 14 votes
Sweet Coconut Bread is a moist coconutty bread with a hint of almond. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just for a sweet treat!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Video

Equipment

  • Bread loaf pan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Beat eggs, sugar, shortening, and extract together.
    Mixing bowl of wet ingredients for Sweet Coconut Bread.
  • Slowly mix in buttermilk and dry ingredients.
    Mixing bowl of all ingredients for Sweet Coconut Bread batter.
  • Pour into a bread pan coated in cooking spray. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes at 325 degrees until knife comes out clean.
    Baking pan full of Sweet Coconut Bread batter.
  • While baking boil sugar and water for a few minutes.
    Pot of Sweet Coconut Bread glaze with whisk on the side.
  • Remove from heat and add butter and extract.
    Pan of Sweet Coconut Bread glaze with melting butter.
  • Pour over cooked bread and let set for two hours before removing from pan.
    Glaze pouring onto Sweet Coconut Bread in a baking dish.

Notes

  • If you don’t have shortening in the house, or just don’t want to use it, you can always use butter in its place. Or, as some have suggested, coconut oil.
  • Since buttermilk is not something everyone keeps on hand, you can actually make your own. Simply put 1 Tablespoon of vinegar into a measuring cup then fill to the one cup line with milk. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then stir. Voila! Buttermilk substitution.
  • Be sure to use shredded coconut. We use the sweetened coconut flakes. Natural coconut flakes would work, it will just be less sweet.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 607kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 11gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 212mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 4gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 130IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

    1. It can be made ahead of time! I would wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and store it in the freezer.