Toto (dessert)
 Toto cake being baked | |
| Alternative names | tuoto and toe-toe bulla[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Cake |
| Place of origin | Jamaica |
| Main ingredients | Coconut, sugar, flour |
Toto (also referred to as tuoto and toe-toe bulla) is a small coconut cake in Jamaican cuisine served as a snack or dessert, typically prepared with shredded coconut, brown sugar, flour, baking soda and powder, and coconut milk.[1][2] It may also be added with some flavourings such as allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.[3] Toto is a Jamaican delicacy that is served at most family gatherings, Sunday dinners, and various celebrations.[4][5][6]
Origin and history
[edit]The cake is a Jamaican speciality dessert with origins from the period of its colonial slavery; it draws on both African and British culinary traditions and is a staple in home baking.[7][8][9] Whenever the slaves were hungry from being underfed, they would combine coconut, molasses and flour, bake it with fire coals laced on top of a metal sheet covering the cake pan and fire beneath the cake pan.[10][11]
Preparation
[edit]It is commonly served after the Sunday meal dinner with homemade ice cream.[12] The cake is being prepared by mixing all the necessary ingredients with cinnamon, butter and raisin also being used together with main ingredients such as brown sugar, coconut, flour, baking soda and powder,[13] as well as coconut milk, and baked for around 25–30 minutes, where it can be either served slightly warm or completely cooled.[12][14]
Misconceptions
[edit]It was stated in the book Jamaican food: history, biology, culture, published in 2008, that the food appears to have been invented in the twentieth century,[15] and that by the end of the twentieth century they were difficult to find.[15] That claim may be erroneous as the food is typically made in homes and not sold widely in stores. Toto recipes are passed down within families, some claiming to have recipes from the 19th century. Toto is not related to coco bread, although it is sometimes called with the latter name, either toto or coconut bread or buns, within the country.[2] The latter is another iconic Jamaican staple, described in the 1950s as a "baked dumpling" made by folding dough to create a soft, buttery bread.[15]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Higman 2008, pp. 167 & 245.
- 1 2 Geddes 2001, p. 238.
- ↑ "Top 9 Jamaican Desserts". TasteAtlas. 19 April 2026. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Boyle, Nancy (17 August 1982). "Jamaicans celebrate 20 years' independence". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Taylor 2025, p. 90.
- ↑ Fowles 2026, p. 115.
- ↑ Senior 2003, p. 70.
- ↑ Edelstein 2010, p. 455.
- ↑ Monde 2026, p. 26.
- ↑ Reynolds, Grace "Grandma" (29 August 2006). "Jamaican Coconut Toto Recipe". Jamaicans.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Analida (1 March 2019). "Jamaican Toto - Caribbean Coconut Cake". Analida's Ethnic Spoon. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- 1 2 LaFortune, Minna (6 July 2023). "How to Make Jamaican Toto". Caribbean Today. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Davis, Luke Alex (14 November 2022). "Toto (Jamaican coconut cake)". Cultrface. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Tucker, Yanikie (6 July 2023). "Jamaican Toto Cake (Coconut Cake)". Jamdown Foodie. Archived from the original on 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Higman 2008, p. 245.
Bibliography
[edit]- Geddes, Bruce (2001). Caribbean. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1-86450-348-7.
- Senior, Olive (2003). Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage. Twin Guinep Publishers. ISBN 978-976-8007-14-8.
- Higman, B. W. (2008). Jamaican Food: History, Biology, Culture. University of the West Indies Press. ISBN 978-976-640-205-1.
- Edelstein, Sari (2010). Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4496-1811-7.
- Taylor, Lloyd (17 April 2025). A Taste of Jamaica: A Culinary Journey Through Island Flavours. Lloyd Taylor.
- Fowles, Andre (10 March 2026). My Jamaican Table: Vibrant Recipes from a Sun-Drenched Island. Workman Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-64829-400-6.
- Monde, Gen S. Du (6 May 2026). Jamaica: A Cultural Cookbook. World Trade Press. ISBN 978-1-60780-046-0.
