Johnny Cakes

Name: Johnny Cakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cubed; 2/3 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup warm water; 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Caribbean-style Johnny Cakes are pillowy, slightly sweet pan-fried dough rounds made from a simple flour dough, golden on the outside and soft within. Perfect alongside stews, eggs, or eaten plain.

40 minEasyServes 8290 cal/serving

CaribbeanBreakfastStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreeEgg-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cubed
2/3 cup whole milk
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar.
2

Add 2 tbsp cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3

Add 2/3 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup warm water gradually, stirring with a fork until a soft dough comes together. It should be slightly tacky but not sticky. Knead gently in the bowl for about 1 minute. Cover with a clean towel and rest for 10 minutes.
4

Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a round disc about 1/2 inch thick.
5

Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. The oil should shimmer but not smoke. Fry the dough rounds in batches of 3 to 4, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown on both sides and cooked through.
6

Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.

Questions

Can I make Johnny Cakes dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cubed, 2/3 cup whole milk. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Johnny Cakes gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Johnny Cakes keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Johnny Cakes?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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