There are several versions of Johnny cakes throughout the Caribbean. Its original name is believed to be Journey Cakes, although it also goes by different names such as hoe cake (American South), Shawnee cake (American Indigenous) cakes, ashcake and cornmeal pancakes, depending on the region.
The ingredients vary depending on the type of Johnny cakes you are cooking. You can use buttermilk, coconut milk or milk instead of water, use cornmeal if you want cornmeal cakes, and opt to bake or fry. Johnny Cakes can be served for breakfast or dinner. Here’s how to prepare Johnny Cakes.
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Making Johnny Cakes
This dish has a simple recipe. Combine all the ingredients well to create a dough. Knead it until it’s soft and smooth and then let it rest. After a while, slice it into small shapes and deep fry until they are golden brown.
Equipment
- Measuring spoon.
- Large mixing bowl.
- Knife for cutting the dough.
- Rolling pin.
- Skillet or cast iron pan.
- A net sieve.
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Ingredients
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour. Have extra flour for dusting the surface.
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal.
- 2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar.
- 1 tbsp of baking powder.
- 1 tsp salt.
- 2 ½ tablespoons of unsalted butter, at room temperature.
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil.
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Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cornmeal, salt and sugar. Add butter to the mixture and combine well. Pour a cup of water into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is smooth.
- Sprinkle some flour on your countertop and then transfer the dough. Knead it with your hands until it’s firm and smooth. Put the dough in a bowl, cover it and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, heat your oil in a pan. As the oil heats, roll out your dough with a rolling pin and form small balls. Don’t roll them too flat.
- Now that the oil is well heated, place the small balls in the oil gently and let them fry until golden brown. Once done, place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil and then place them in a bowl.
Serve Johnny Cakes in maple syrup or with stews, soups, pulled pork or spicy curry.
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Note:
Jonny cakes should be deep-fried to avoid sticking to the base of the pan. When cooking, they should float.
Frequently asked questions
Why do they call them Johnny Cakes?
The recipe is cooked throughout the Caribbean in which it adopts different names, but it became known as Johnny Cakes.
What is the difference between pancakes and johnny cakes?
Pancakes are made with flour while Johnny Cakes are made using cornmeal, which gives them a distinct corn flavor.
Johnny Cakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour. Have extra flour for dusting the surface
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 tbsp of baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 ½ tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cornmeal, salt and sugar. Add butter later as you put the mixture together. Add a cup of water to the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is smooth.
- Sprinkle some flour on your countertop and then transfer the dough. Knead it with your hands until it’s firm and smooth. Put the dough in a bowl, cover it and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, heat your oil in a pan. As the oil heats, form rolls out your dough with a rolling pin and form small balls. Don’t roll them too flat.
- Now that the oil is well heat, place the small balls in the oil gently and let them fry until golden brown. Once done, place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil and then place them in a bowl.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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