Bajan Sweet Bread

Ingredients

 * 2½ cups grated coconut
 * ½ cup melted butter or margarine
 * 4 cups self raising flour
 * 1 tbsp shortening
 * 1 tbsp baking powder
 * 1 tsp salt
 * ¾ cup Sugar
 * 1 cup raisins
 * 1 egg - beaten
 * 1¼ cup evaporated milk
 * 1 tsp almond essence
 * 1 - 1½ teaspoon spoon mixed spices ( optional)
 * 1 small / medium freshly grated nutmeg ( optional)

Directions

 * 1) Grease loaf pans with shortening and pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
 * 2) Mix with your hands to blend the flour, baking powder,salt,coconut, Sugar and the raisins together in a bowl.
 * 3) Then use a mixture adding in the  egg, evaporated milk, margarine and almond essence, mixed spices and nutmeg and mix together well until you have a firm dough.
 * 4) Divide dough in half and fill loaf pans.
 * 5) Mix 2 tablespoons of Sugar and 1 tablespoon of hot water and brush mixture over the loaves.
 * 6) Bake in center of oven for about 1 hour or until skewer inserted into center comes out clean.
 * 7) Let cool in the pans before removing and serving.