Belizean Creole Bread Recipe

Experience the delightful flavors of Belize with these homemade soft coconut milk bread rolls, perfect for any meal or occasion. These tender, fluffy rolls are a true Belizean treat made with coconut milk and coconut oil. Belize Creole bread is often also called “Kriol Bread”. Follow our easy step-by-step instructions to create the perfect side for your meals.

Creole Bread Recipe Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon organic cane sugar (for yeast)
• 7-8 cups white flour, or two pounds (can substitute 1 cup with whole wheat flour)
• 2 cups fresh coconut milk or 1 can of coconut milk
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
• 2 teaspoons salt

Belize Creole Bread Instructions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the warm water, instant yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Set aside for 10 minutes to proof. The mixture should become foamy and frothy. If not, discard and start over with fresh yeast.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl, warm the coconut milk, coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey, and salt in the microwave for about 1 minute. Stir together and set aside, ensuring it doesn’t boil.
3. Sift 6 cups of flour into a large mixing bowl.
4. Once the milk mixture is warm enough to touch comfortably, mix it with the yeast mixture.
5. Combine the wet ingredients with the sifted flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour but not exceed 7 cups. Allow the dough to rest for 20 minutes before kneading.
6. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured kneading surface and knead until it becomes soft, stretchy, elastic, and smooth about 5 to 8 minutes. Add up to 1 cup of flour during kneading, depending on the kitchen’s humidity.
7. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp proofing cloth, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour or more if the kitchen is cold.
8. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into the desired number of rolls – 6 large boules or 14 hamburger-sized buns.
9. Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
10. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Recipe Baking Tips:

Mix with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. If very sticky, add more flour but do not exceed 7 cups. The dough should be a little bit sticky, let it rest for 20 minutes before kneading. After 20 minutes dump the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until you have a dough that is stretchy soft, elastic, and smooth.  Dust hands with a little flour if the dough is sticking to the hands. Takes about 5 to 8 minutes to knead the dough.

You may have to add up to a cup of flour at this stage depending on the humidity of your kitchen.

Place on a greased pan-let proof again, about 30 minutes bake at 400 F/205 C for 25-30 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Belize creole bread is perfect for a sandwich, a snack, or served with stew beans.

If you enjoyed this recipe you would love a similar recipe for Belizean Buns (with raisins). Our Hamburger Buns, Belizean hot cross buns, dinner rolls, and Belizean Johnny Cakes are also true Belizean classics.