Jamaican Toto – Traditional Caribbean Coconut Cake

Modified: May 26, 2026 · Published: Mar 1, 2019 by Analida · • Word count:1186 words. • About 6 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

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Jamaican Toto is a traditional Caribbean coconut cake made with shredded coconut, warm spices, and coconut milk. This easy Jamaican dessert has a moist, dense texture and rich coconut flavor, making it perfect for family gatherings, brunch, holidays, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.

a glass pan with Jamacian toto cake on a striped napkin with a knife, bowl of coconut, and plate with forks on the left

Recipe Summary

A slice of Jamaican toto coconut cake on a plate with coconut flakes and a fork

🥥 What is it? Jamaican Toto is a popular Caribbean coconut spice cake that dates back to colonial times. Warmly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and packed with shredded coconut, it's sweet enough to need no frosting at all.
❤️ Why you'll love it? Humble pantry ingredients, one easy batter, and no frosting fuss. It's a moist, tropical, kid-friendly treat that's perfect for family gatherings and a wonderful companion to a cup of tea or coffee.
👩‍🍳 How do you make it? Cream butter with brown and white sugar, then beat in eggs and vanilla. Fold in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, followed by evaporated milk, coconut milk and shredded coconut. Pour into a greased pan and bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

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Jump to:

What is Jamaican Toto Cake?
Toto Cake History
Here are the visual steps to make a great Toto Cake!
Tips for the Best Jamaican Toto
Frequently Asked Questions
More Caribbean and Tropical Desserts to Try
📖 Recipe

What is Jamaican Toto Cake?

Jamaican Toto is a traditional coconut cake popular throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean. Made with grated coconut, warm spices, and coconut milk, the cake has a dense, moist texture and rich flavor. Toto dates back to colonial times and remains a beloved homemade dessert often served at family gatherings and celebrations.

Toto Cake History

I am super excited today because I am sharing with you this delicious recipe. I can't take the credit because it comes from Cariel, my Jamaican co-worker. Jamaican Toto is a coconut dessert that is very popular in Jamaica. I love coconut anything, so this cake is just right for me, and all my coconut-loving friends.
So, I had lunch with Cariel a few weeks ago, and she gave me this recipe. She told me that Jamaican Toto-Caribbean Coconut Cake is one of her favorites, and also a very popular dessert at most family gatherings.

a glass pan of Jamaican toto cake with a knife and bowl of coconut on the left

In talking to her, she also gave me her special recipe for Jamaican brown chicken stew.

Since I am always looking for the origins and history behind foods, I asked Cariel about Jamaican Toto-Caribbean Coconut Cake. She told me that the origins of this lovely coconut dessert go back to the time of the plantations. At night, slaves were hungry from working all day and not getting enough to eat. They would mix coconut, molasses, and flour to make Toto. They then cooked the mixture by placing it on top of hot coals, and also placing coals on top. Jamaican Toto remains one of the island's most beloved homemade coconut desserts.

a slice of Jamaican toto cake on a plate with coconut flakes and a fork

Finally, as you'll be able to see, the ingredients in Jamaican Toto are very humble, but the cake is so sweet and so easy to make. I will most likely take the rest to my office because they all LOVE sweets, most of all on a Monday morning when we all need sugar to kick start our week. This Jamaican Toto recipe creates a moist Caribbean coconut cake filled with warm spices and rich coconut flavor.

Here are the visual steps to make a great Toto Cake!

A photo of the ingredients to make toto cake and mixing the butter and sugar.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and gather the ingredients: butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, evaporated milk, and coconut milk.
Step 2: In your stand mixer, cream the butter and both sugars until fluffy.

A photo showing adding the eggs and vanilla and another with flour and cinnamon.

Step 3: Add the eggs, vanilla, and beat for 2-3 more minutes until well combined.
Step 4: Sift the flour and baking powder, then add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

A photo showing adding the flour to the batter and evaporated milk.

Step 5: Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in the mixer bowl.
Step 6: Add the evaporated milk ½ cup at a time and mix until well combined.

A photo showing adding the coconut milk and shredded coconut.

Step 7: Add the coconut milk and mix until combined.
Step 8: Add the shredded coconut ½ cup at a time and mix until combined.

A photo showing combining the batter and coconut and pouring into a baking dish.

Step 9: The mixture should be a slightly loose batter as shown.
Step 10: Pour the batter into an 8"x12" greased baking pan. (I like to rub it down with some butter.)

A photo of the filled pan and the fully baked cake.

Step 11: Lift the pan and gently tap it on the table to level out the batter.
Step 12: Bake for 30-40 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.

Tips for the Best Jamaican Toto

Use freshly grated coconut if possible for the best flavor
Do not overmix the batter
Use full-fat coconut milk for richness
Let the cake cool slightly before slicing
Fresh nutmeg gives the best spice flavor
Toto tastes even better the next day as flavors develop

Maybe after you enjoy a few slices of this tasty coconut cake you'll want to check out some Caribbean destinations for some foodie travel! Have you ever checked out Anguilla with its beautiful beaches? How about some local dining while on the island? Check out these restaurants on Anguilla for your next dining adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jamaican Toto cake taste like?

Jamaican Toto tastes like a rich coconut spice cake with warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Is Jamaican Toto served warm or cold?

It can be served slightly warm or at room temperature.

Can Jamaican Toto be frozen?

Yes. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Why is Toto cake dense?

Traditional Toto has a moist, dense texture due to the coconut and milk content. (Lighter cakes are made by whipping air into the eggs.)

More Caribbean and Tropical Desserts to Try

If you enjoy the warm coconut flavor in this Jamaican Toto cake, be sure to try some of my other tropical-inspired desserts. Coconut flan is silky and creamy with rich caramel flavor, while Tres Leches Cake offers an ultra-moist Latin American favorite perfect for celebrations. For something bright and refreshing, Orange and Lemon Pie delivers fresh citrus flavor, and Pastelitos de Guava are flaky pastries filled with sweet guava paste. These desserts all bring comforting tropical flavors to the table.

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