I found this Antiguan Sunday Bread recipe in an open air market in St Johns. After falling in love with it and watching the lady make the dough, she was nice enough to share her recipe with me. If you’re looking to bring a taste of the Caribbean into your kitchen, Antigua Sunday Bread is a perfect choice. This bread is known for its soft, slightly sweet texture and rich flavor, often enhanced by vegetable shortening or lard. It’s a traditional favorite in Antigua and Barbuda, enjoyed with meals like stewed saltfish or simply on its own.
Making this bread at home means you get to enjoy the fresh, warm aroma and the comforting softness that sets it apart from ordinary white bread. You’ll find it puffed up and tender, with a golden crust that invites you to take slice after slice. This recipe is straightforward and rewarding for anyone who loves baking simple, flavorful bread.
As you follow along, you’ll learn how to create a loaf that captures the essence of Antiguan homes on a Sunday morning. Whether you’re sharing with family or treating yourself, this bread can transform any meal into a special occasion.
Visiting Antigua
When you visit Antigua, you step into a place filled with warm weather and beautiful beaches. The island is known for its friendly people and relaxed vibe. You can enjoy the slow pace while tasting local treats like the famous Antiguan Sunday bread.
In Antigua, Sunday bread is more than food—it’s part of the culture. You can find it fresh from local bakeries every Sunday morning. The bread has a rich, soft texture thanks to ingredients like vegetable shortening or lard. It pairs well with dishes like stewed saltfish.
There is more to explore beyond the bread. Antigua offers clear blue waters, perfect for swimming or snorkeling. You can visit colorful markets, historic sites, or take part in lively festivals.
The island’s small size makes it easy to get around by car or bus. If you want to plan your visit, here are a few tips:
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | December to April for dry weather |
| Local Currency | East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) |
| Language | English |
| Popular Dish | Stewed saltfish with Sunday bread |
| Transportation | Rental cars and minibuses available |
Be sure to try Sunday bread with a classic Antiguan breakfast. It gives you a true taste of the island’s home-cooked flavors. Experiencing Antigua’s food and culture will add meaning to your trip.
Antiguan Sunday Bread Recipe
This Antiguan Sunday bread recipe is soft, slightly sweet, and rich, often served with saltfish or other traditional Caribbean dishes. It uses ingredients like yeast, all-purpose flour, vegetable shortening, and butter to create a light, fluffy texture and golden crust. You will find simple ways to improve your baking, learn about nutrition, and discover substitutions that keep the flavor close to the original.
Antiguan Sunday Bread Recipe Description
The Antiguan Sunday bread recipe is a type of white bread known for its soft, buttery crumb and slightly sweet taste. Unlike regular white bread, this bread uses vegetable shortening and butter, which give it a rich texture and light, fluffy feel when baked. The dough typically contains active dry yeast to help it rise, combined with sugar to boost fermentation and add a mild sweetness.
The bread often comes in large loaves that you slice for breakfast or snacks. It’s a staple in Antiguan homes and pairs perfectly with salted fish, eggplant, or stews. The crust stays soft, making it very different from crusty European breads, and its slightly sweet flavor makes it enjoyable with both savory and sweet toppings.
Antiguan Sunday Bread Recipe Cooking Tips
To get the best Antiguan Sunday Bread, make sure your water is lukewarm before adding the yeast. Hot water can kill yeast, while cold water slows down rising. Mix the yeast with the water and sugar first to activate it; it should bubble or foam in about 5 to 10 minutes.
Let the dough rise twice: first before shaping, then after shaped, to get a light and airy loaf. Bake the bread at a moderate temperature to avoid a hard crust. If you want a shiny top, brush the loaf with melted butter once it’s out of the oven.
Antiguan Sunday Bread Recipe Nutritional Benefits
This bread provides a good source of carbohydrates for energy. The use of vegetable shortening and butter adds fats, which help with satiety and improve the bread’s texture, but also add calories. It is mostly made with refined white flour, which means it lacks fiber compared to whole grain breads.
The Antiguan Sunday bread recipe does not have many vitamins or minerals on its own but pairs well with protein-rich dishes like saltfish that you commonly eat with it. The bread is low in sugar despite its slight sweetness and contains moderate protein from the flour and added fats.
If you are watching fat intake, consider reducing the amount of shortening or butter but keep in mind this will affect the softness and flavor.
Antiguan Sunday Bread Recipe Ingredient Substitutions
If you don’t have vegetable shortening, you can use butter or margarine. Butter may change the texture and softness a little. For the flour, bread flour makes the bread chewier, while all-purpose flour gives a softer loaf.
If you are out of active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast but use less. Sugar can be replaced with honey or brown sugar. Honey may give a stronger flavor.
For a lower-fat version, use less shortening and add a little butter or oil. Using milk instead of water makes the bread richer, but it is not traditional.
Antiguan Sunday Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water warm
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly Grated Coconut: Adding some coconut can enhance the flavor.
- Baking Powder: A small amount may be included for extra lift.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Then, add the frothy yeast mixture and softened butter.
- Mix everything together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan. Let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
3 comments
Warm and toasty right out of the oven these were perfect.
I think the article missed the mark by not diving deeper into the cultural significance of Antiguan Sunday Bread. Its more than just a recipe, its a tradition that connects generations. What do you guys think?
I find the emphasis on Key Features intriguing. Would love to delve deeper into the cultural significance behind Antiguan recipes. Anyone else curious about the stories behind the flavors?