World Flavors Cookbook

Pan Bon

Caribbean Costa Rican spiced dark bread — dense, molasses-colored bread with dried fruits and warm spices, a Limón specialty.

Cuisine: Costa Rica

Ingredients

• 500g flour
• 100g brown sugar
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 7g dried yeast
• 200ml warm water
• 50g butter
• 100g mixed dried fruits (raisins, cherries)
• 1 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Salt

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a little sugar.
2. Mix flour, sugar, spices, and salt.
3. Add yeast, molasses, butter, and vanilla. Knead 10 minutes.
4. Add dried fruits. Knead briefly to distribute.
5. Rise 1 hour.
6. Shape into rounds. Rise 30 minutes.
7. Bake at 180C for 35-40 minutes.