Discover how to make a perfect Coconut Bake, a lightly sweet bread made with fresh grated coconut. This delightful recipe blends sweetness with a subtle savory flavor, making it a versatile side for various dishes. Ideal for breakfast or as a complement to savory meals, our easy-to-follow guide will help you achieve a soft, flavorful bread that your family will love.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 cup grated fresh coconut (or dried coconut if fresh is unavailable)

- 1/4 cup granulated sugar

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

- 1/2 cup milk

- 1 large egg

Instructions:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the milk, egg, and softened butter until well combined.

Add Coconut: Fold the grated coconut into the wet ingredients.

Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.

Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake in Oven: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Cool: Let the Coconut Bake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature. This Coconut Bake pairs wonderfully with savory dishes or can be served as a slightly sweet bread on its own.

Notes:

- For a richer flavor, you can substitute the milk with coconut milk.

- You can also add a handful of chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and taste.

Nutritional Values

All-Purpose Flour - 2 cups  

  - Calories: 910 kcal  

  - Protein: 26g  

  - Fat: 2.4g  

  - Carbohydrates: 190g  

Benefits: A source of carbohydrates, providing energy. Contains small amounts of protein, fiber, and minerals such as iron and folate.

Grated Fresh Coconut - 1 cup (or dried coconut)  

  - Calories: 280 kcal (fresh); 466 kcal (dried)  

  - Protein: 3g (fresh); 5g (dried)  

  - Fat: 27g (fresh); 33g (dried)  

  - Carbohydrates: 12g (fresh); 46g (dried)  

Benefits: Coconut is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may promote heart health, improve metabolism, and provide a quick source of energy. It also contains fiber, manganese, copper, and iron.

Granulated Sugar - 1/4 cup  

  - Calories: 194 kcal  

  - Carbohydrates: 50g  

Benefits: Provides quick energy. However, high intake of sugar should be moderated to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.

Baking Powder - 2 teaspoons  

  - Calories: 2 kcal  

Benefits: Helps leaven baked goods, giving them a lighter texture.

Salt - 1/2 teaspoon  

  - Calories: 0 kcal  

Benefits: Essential for electrolyte balance, nerve transmission, and muscle function. Excessive intake should be avoided to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Unsalted Butter, Softened - 1/4 cup  

  - Calories: 200 kcal  

  - Protein: 0.2g  

  - Fat: 23g  

  - Carbohydrates: 0.1g  

Benefits: Butter is a source of saturated fats, which provide energy and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). It also contains small amounts of vitamins A and E. Moderate consumption is advised.

Milk - 1/2 cup  

  - Calories: 60 kcal (for whole milk)  

  - Protein: 4g  

  - Fat: 3g  

  - Carbohydrates: 5g  

Benefits: Rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein. Supports bone health, muscle function, and provides a range of essential nutrients.

Egg - 1 large  

  - Calories: 70 kcal  

  - Protein: 6g  

  - Fat: 5g  

  - Carbohydrates: 1g  

Benefits: Eggs are a great source of high-quality protein, vitamins A, D, B12, choline, and selenium. They support muscle growth, brain health, and eye health.

These values are approximate and can vary based on specific brands, preparation methods, and cooking techniques.