This coconut bread just might knock banana bread from the top spot of quick bread recipes. Both shredded coconut and coconut milk give this quick bread big flavor that pairs perfectly with an afternoon cup of tea.
Two thoughts jumped to my attention as I walked through the door: “Mmm, it smells like donuts.” Quickly followed by, “Why does it smell like donuts?”
It turns out that fresh-baked coconut bread one leaves to cool on the counter will permeate the air in a teeny tiny kitchen with the scent of donuts. It’s divine.
I learned of this coconut quick bread recipe from my most recent Secret Recipe Club partner, Leigh, author of Chit Chat Chomp in Melbourne, Australia. When I get to interact with other bloggers from half a world away โ if only in the form of a recipe โ I feel truly lucky.
Leigh shares a mix of delicious recipes and gorgeous travel photos on her blog. Go visit her while your waiting for your own coconut loaf to cool. Enjoy!

Coconut Bread
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups coconut milk
- 1/3 cup (5 tablespoons) butter, melted
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Place all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add the coconut milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until fully incorporated. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter into a lightly greased and floured 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately one hour until the top is light brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
Notes
I used sweetened shredded coconut, but you could certainly use unsweetened too.
Recipe slightly adapted from Bill Granger.
I never would have imagined that coconut bread could smell like doughnuts. What a heavenly scent.
Thank you so very much for your lovely words. They put a huge smile on my face. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the coconut bread. I love it! It freezes brilliantly too and you just need to pop it into the toaster whenever you want a slice. Dripping in butter is how I like it..hehe
Mmmmm….coconut bread! This sounds incredible – and the added bonus of leaving the house smelling like doughnuts
This coconut bread sounds wonderful! I love a nice quick bread and I’ve never made a coconut version. Gotta give this a try!
Coconut bread sounds AMAZING… even more so if it smells like donuts ๐ Great SRC pick!
And now I’m plotting the acquisition of some coconut… what an interesting idea!
You always find coconut stuff…….. LOVE IT! I may try this when my mom is in town- she likes baking and coconut. It will give us something fun to do together…. even if it is in the kitchen ๐
I hope you like it! This is now one of my favorite coconut baked goods. I thought it would be good, but turns out it’s really good! I failed to mention in the post that if you don’t want to buy a can of coconut milk, you can sub regular milk. I opted for coconut milk to max out the coconut flavor.
I could happily sit and daydream with a slice of this and a cup of tea!
What a lovely thought!
I make banana bread all the time. I think I need to switch it out and try this Coconut Bread! Sounds delicious an love how easy it is to prepare.
As a coconut cake lover, I know I will adore coconut bread. YUM.