Johnny Cakes the Bahamas
Dive into the heart of Bahamian comfort food with this authentic recipe for Johnny Cakes, a beloved island staple. These subtly sweet, tender bread cakes are made with simple pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, sugar, and milk, enriched with buttery goodness for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly golden and lightly crisp on the outside, they pair beautifully with butter, cheese, stewed fish, or even tropical jams, making them an incredibly versatile addition to any meal. With minimal prep time and an easy-to-follow method that guarantees success, this classic Bahamian Johnny Cakes recipe is perfect for breakfast, midday snacks, or as a flavorful side at your next gathering. Experience the taste of the Bahamas in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter (cold, diced)
- 1.25 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing the pan)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan with vegetable oil and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the cold, diced butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually pour in the milk while stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be soft but not sticky.
Lightly flour a clean surface and turn the dough out. Gently knead it just a few times to bring it together, then shape it into a round or square to fit your greased pan.
Place the dough in the prepared pan and use your hands or a spatula to press it evenly to the edges. Score the top lightly with a knife to make slicing easier after baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow the Johnny Cake to cool slightly in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool fully or serve warm.
Slice into wedges or squares and serve as is, or enjoy with butter, cheese, stewed fish, or jam for a classic Bahamian experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
399 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.7 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.8 g | 44% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 37 mg | 12% | |
| Sodium | 395 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.8 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.2 g | ||
| Protein | 7.8 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 54 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 107 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
