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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Caribbean Johnny Cakes

    Published: Mar 20, 2023 · Modified: Mar 20, 2023 by Radwa·

    Jump to Recipe

    I am back with another Caribbean dish, which I am sure you will enjoy. Johnny Cakes are crispy, chewy, buttery, fried little cakes with a soft and fluffy interior.

    Caribbean johnny cakes in a serving plate.

    Johnny Cakes

    I love Caribbean food; last week, I made this SUPER delicious Caribbean Seafood Stew, and it was a hit. However, today, I am sharing a breakfast dish.

    The secret to making the best Johnny cake lies in frying the dough to achieve a crispy exterior and a soft interior.

    The taste is plain; it is neither salty nor sweet. However, I didn't like to flavor these cakes so that I could serve them with sweet or savory toppings.

    Do you want to know another great thing about this recipe? No oven is needed! Just your plain old frying pan will do!

    Many variations of Johnny cake recipe call for the combination of cornmeal and flour; however, in this recipe, I ditch the cornmeal and use only all-purpose flour.

    I love how easy they are to make, and I enjoy them for breakfast, topped with a little bit of butter and honey.

    Caribbean johnny cakes in a plate.

    Ingredients

    "See the recipe card below for more information about the ingredients and quantities."

    Flour. I tested this recipe with all purpose flour(plain flour) it is a great choice since it's widely available and won't give you a hard time searching for it in the market!

    Baking Powder. It will provide this recipe with the leavening needed to make the batter rise and give your little cakes their softer and fluffier texture.

    Caster Sugar. Caster sugar is the best sweetener for this recipe since it dissolves so easily when combined with liquid.

    Butter. I use unsalted butter for a tender and a flaky texture!

    Whole Milk. It doesn't only provide richness, but it also ensures that your cakes get that tender and moist crumb! Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside; the perfect texture for this dish, thanks to the whole milk!

    Note: You can use non-dairy milk if you like, such as coconut milk or almond milk.

    Water. Water helps combine dry ingredients.

    Vegetable Oil. I use vegetable oil to fry the batter in it.

    Eating Caribbean johnny cakes.

    How to Make Caribbean Johnny Cakes

    Steps of making the recipe by photos.

    One: In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar and a pinch of salt.

    Two: Add the wet ingredients into the dry mixture: Mix in melted butter, milk and water using a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.

    Steps of making the recipe by photos.

    Three: Knead on a lightly-floured surface for 5-10 minutes or until the dough is soft and smooth, and then cover and leave it to rest for 20 minutes.

    Tip: Knead the dough until it doesn't stick to your hands.

    Four: Now, use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 6 equal pieces and roll them with a rolling pin or just try to flatten them with the palm of your hands until they are about 1cm thick circles.

    Tip: Make sure the cakes have the same sizes, so they cook evenly.

    Fry johnny cakes in oil by photos.

    Five: Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and then fry the cakes in the hot oil for about 4-5 minutes on both sides until golden brown.

    Tip: Flip just once! Flipping and tossing these cakes may cause the batter to deflate, making them look sad and unappealing.

    Six: Place them on a paper towel on a plate to soak up any excess oil. Serve warm.

    Tip: I keep them at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerate them in an air-tight container for 5 to 6 days.

    Caribbean johnny cakes topped with butter and syrup.

    Can I Make Johnny Cakes Vegan?

    Yes, you can! To do so, use vegan butter and replace milk with water.

    More Easy Breakfast Recipes

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    I hope you like this recipe! Follow Recipe Tale on Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with all new recipes.

    Recipe

    johnny cakes on a serving plate.
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Caribbean Johnny Cakes

    Caribbean Johnny Cakes are crispy fried little cakes with a soft and fluffy inside. Serve them with butter or cheese for breakfast or lunch.
    Course Breakfast, Side Dish
    Cuisine Caribbean
    Diet Vegetarian
    Freezer friendly Yes
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 Servings
    Calories 258kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Frying pan
    • Mixing bowl
    • Kitchen scales

    Ingredients

    • 250 g all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon caster sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • 65 ml full-fat milk
    • 30 g unsalted butter , melted
    • 65 ml water
    • 250 ml vegetable oil

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar and a pinch of salt.
      250 g all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon caster sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt
    • Whisk in melted butter, milk and water until the dough comes together.
      65 ml full-fat milk, 30 g unsalted butter, 65 ml water
    • Knead for 5-10 minutes or until the dough is soft and smooth, and then cover and leave it to rest for 20 minutes.
    • Now, cut the dough into 6 equal pieces and roll them until they are about 1cm thick circles.
    • Heat the oil in a frying pan and then fry the cakes for about 4-5 minutes on both sides until golden brown.
      250 ml vegetable oil
    • Place them on paper towels on a plate to soak up any excess oil. Serve warm.

    Notes

    • Knead the dough until it doesn't stick to your hands.
    • Make sure the cakes have the same sizes, so they cook evenly.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg
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    About Radwa

    Hi! I'm Radwa, a home chef and the creative mind behind Recipe Tale. I've spent years perfecting recipes and exploring flavors. All my recipes are thoroughly tested, and I guarantee you will love them. I only share the best recipes here.

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    Hi, I'm Radwa! Welcome to my blog. I'm passionate about home-cooked food and developing easy recipes that anyone can make.

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