Bun And Cheese: Exploring The Cheesy Filling

Jamaican Bun and Cheese is a traditional snack, commonly consumed around April during Christian Easter celebrations. The cheese used in this snack is typically Tastee Cheese, a bright orange, canned, processed cheddar cheese known for its thick, rich, salty flavour. However, if Tastee Cheese is unavailable, a sharp cheddar cheese can be used as a substitute to provide a similar tangy and creamy flavour.

Jamaican bun and cheese

The cheese used in this snack is typically Tastee Cheese, a bright orange, canned, processed cheddar cheese known for its thick, rich, and salty flavour. It is similar to American cheese but with a thicker texture. However, any cheese will work well as the spices in the bun complement a wide range of cheeses. If Tastee Cheese is not available, a sharp cheddar cheese can be used as a substitute to provide a similar tangy and creamy flavour.

The Jamaican bun is made with a combination of unsalted butter, stout, cherry brandy, guava jam, mixed essence, browning, eggs, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, mixed peel, and raisins. The mixed essence is a blend of vanilla and almond, enhancing the overall aroma and taste of the bun. The raisins are soaked in cherry brandy overnight to fully hydrate the fruit and add a fruity undertone to the bun.

To make the bun, the unsalted butter and brown sugar are creamed together until light and fluffy. Then, the egg, stout, cherry brandy, guava jam, and mixed essence are gradually added and mixed well. In a separate bowl, the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and salt—are sifted together. The dry ingredients are then folded into the wet mixture until just combined. Finally, the mixed peel and raisins are stirred in, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. The batter is poured into a prepared loaf pan and baked in a preheated oven until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Once the bun is baked, it is allowed to cool completely before slicing and serving with generous portions of Tastee Cheese. This combination of the spiced bun with its subtle sweetness and the tangy, creamy cheese is a perfect sweet and savoury treat that represents the evolution and combination of Jamaica's history and people.

Cheddar cheese buns

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Flour (plain all-purpose flour)
• Eggs (one for the dough, one for the egg wash)
• Shredded cheese (cheddar mix)
• Water (lukewarm)
• Instant yeast
• Butter (unsalted)
• Sugar (granulated)
• Salt
• Baking powder (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Onion powder (optional)

Method

First, combine all the ingredients in a mixer and mix until you have a soft, smooth dough. You can also do this by hand if you don't have a mixer. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Next, gently punch down the dough and divide it into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten them so they are about 3 inches wide. Place the buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving at least 1.5 inches between each bun. You may need to use two baking sheets. Cover the dough again and let it rise for about an hour.

Preheat your oven to 355°F. When the buns have finished rising, brush the top of each bun with egg wash and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake for 15-17 minutes.

Once they are done, let the buns cool before enjoying them! These cheddar cheese buns are perfect for snacking or as a savoury burger bun. You can also experiment with adding different herbs and spices, such as oregano, rosemary, or garlic powder.

Storage

These buns can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap and kept at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, place the buns on a baking sheet, cover them loosely with aluminium foil, and warm them in a 350°F oven.

Brazilian cheese buns

Ingredients

• 2 cups of tapioca flour (or tapioca starch)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cold
• 3/4 teaspoon of table salt or 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons of garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan, Romano, or aged Asiago cheese
• 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan

Method

Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a mini muffin tin with olive oil. Put all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. Pour the batter into the mini muffin tin, leaving about 1/8 inch from the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until puffy and browned.

Tips

The beauty of this recipe is that you can make a big batch of batter and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Depending on the saltiness of your cheese, you may want to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, but keep in mind that the tapioca will naturally mellow the flavor.

Sharp cheddar as a substitute

Jamaican Bun and Cheese is a traditional snack, commonly consumed around April during Christian Easter celebrations. The snack is a local adaptation of the colonial Hot Crossed Buns, but instead of honey, Jamaicans use molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane. The bun is loaf-shaped and filled with local spices and dried fruits.

The cheese used in this snack is typically Tastee Cheese, a bright orange, canned, processed cheddar cheese with a thick, rich, and salty flavour. However, if Tastee Cheese is not available, sharp cheddar cheese can be used as a substitute.

Sharp cheddar cheese is a suitable alternative as it provides a similar tangy and creamy flavour to balance the sweetness of the bun. It is important to note that any cheese will work well in this snack, as the spices in the bun pair nicely with various types of cheese.

Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter
• Dragon or Guinness Stout
• Fernandez Cherry Brandy
• Guava Jam
• Mixed Essence
• Browning
• Egg
• Brown Sugar
• All-Purpose Flour
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Allspice
• Baking Powder
• Mixed Peel
• Raisins
• Tastee Cheese or Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Steps:

• Soak the raisins in a bowl with the cherry brandy overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 °F/180 °C and place the rack in the middle.
• Grease a loaf pan and set it aside.
• Mix the flour, nutmeg, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and baking powder in a large bowl.
• In a separate large bowl, mix the butter, stout, guava jam, mixed essence, browning, and egg.
• Blend the sugar into the mixture until fully dissolved.
• Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mixture and combine.
• Fold in the mixed peel and soaked raisins, distributing them evenly in the batter.
• Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
• Allow the bun to cool for 20 minutes before slicing and serving with a slice of cheese.

Storage:

For short-term storage, wrap the loaf in plastic and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, freeze slices in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

How to make Jamaican bun and cheese

Jamaican Bun and Cheese is a traditional snack, commonly eaten around Easter, with roots in the Christian Hot Crossed Buns. The Jamaican version uses molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane, instead of honey. The bun is also shaped like a loaf and contains local spices and dried fruits. The cheese used is typically Tastee Cheese, a local Jamaican product. It is a bright orange, canned, processed cheddar cheese with a thick, rich, salty flavour.

Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter
• Dragon or Guinness Stout
• Fernandez Cherry Brandy
• Guava Jam
• Mixed Essence (a blend of vanilla and other essences)
• Browning
• 1 Egg
• Brown Sugar
• All-Purpose Flour
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Allspice
• Baking Powder
• Mixed Peel (citrus peel)
• Raisins
• Tastee Cheese

Method:

• Soak the raisins in a bowl with the cherry brandy overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 °F/180 °C and place the rack in the middle. Grease a loaf pan and set it aside.
• Mix the flour, nutmeg, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and baking powder in a large bowl.
• In a separate large bowl, mix the butter, stout, guava jam, mixed essence, browning, and egg.
• Blend the sugar into the mixture until fully dissolved.
• Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mixture until fully incorporated.
• Fold in the mixed peel and soaked raisins, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the batter.
• Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Once the loaf is ready, remove it from the oven and place it on a cooling rack for 20 minutes before serving.
• Slice and serve with a slice of Tastee Cheese.

For an extra touch of sweetness, you can make a syrup by dissolving guava jam in water and brushing it over the top of the warm loaf while it cools.

Frequently asked questions