How to Make Caribbean Johnny Cakes

A Caribbean johnny cake is a type of fried bread or fried dumpling commonly served as a side dish in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands and many other islands of the Caribbean. Johnny cakes can be enjoyed by themselves, paired with meats like fried fish or barbecue chicken, or an addition to an already full plate of food. With this simple straightforward recipe, you can make a batch of delicious johnny cakes with ease whether you have experience making them or if this is your first try!

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter flavored shortening (unsalted butter can be substituted) at room temperature
3/4 cup water
vegetable or peanut oil for frying

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Making The Dough

1
Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Place a mesh strainer atop a large mixing bowl. Add 3 cups of all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, and sift it into the mixing bowl underneath. Add and sift 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
2
Set up a mixer with a hook attachment. A stand mixer or hand mixer with a hook attachment can be used to knead the dough.

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3
Mix in the room temperature shortening (or butter). Add 6 tablespoons of butter flavored shortening (or unsalted butter) to the dry ingredients and mix using a stand or hand mixer fitted with a hook attachment on medium speed until it becomes crumbly.
- Using room temperature shortening or butter will allow it to better combine with the dry ingredients.
4
Mix in the water and knead the dough. Add 3/4 cups of water to the mixture and reduce the mixer to low speed until the dough is formed. Turn off the mixer once the dough has formed.
5
Form the dough into a smooth ball and let the dough rest. Using your hands, form the dough into a smooth ball. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, paper towel, or a clean dish towel, and let the dough sit for 20 minutes.
6
Uncover the dough, roll it into 3 inch balls, and let them sit for 5 minutes uncovered. Pinch off some dough and roll it between the palms of your hands to form balls that are approximately 3 inches wide. Organize the balls of dough on a piece of wax paper and allow them to rest for 5 minutes.
7
Flatten the balls using a rolling pin or your hands. The flattened circles of dough can be placed on wax paper until it is time to fry.
- An item like a bottle or a cup may be used in place of a rolling pin.
- Sprinkle small amounts of flour for dusting, if needed.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Frying The Dough

1
Heat oil in a skillet or Dutch oven on medium heat. If the oil is not hot enough, the johnny cakes may absorb oil. If the oil is too hot, the johnny cakes will burn. Pinch off a small piece of dough and drop it into the oil as a tester.
- The tester piece will allow you to gauge when the oil is at the optimal frying temperature. Once the tester has begun cooking and is golden brown, the oil is at the right temperature for the johnny cakes to be fried.
2
Place the johnny cakes in the oil and cook each side for about 3 minutes until golden brown. Add the flattened johnny cake dough to the hot oil. Do not over crowd the skillet but instead, fry the johnny cakes in batches.
3
Drain on paper towels. Set up a large plate or tray with a couple layers of paper towels. Use tongs or a stainless steel strainer to remove the golden brown johnny cakes from the oil and place them on the paper towels to drain any excess oil.
4
Allow the hot johnny cakes time to cool before eating. After the johnny cakes have cooled for a few minutes, enjoy them by themselves or paired with a meal.
- Leftover johnny cakes can be refrigerated or stored at room temperature.
- Johnny cakes can be reheated in a toaster oven.

Things You'll Need

Kitchen sieve or flour sifter
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Stand mixer with hook attachment
Material for covering the dough to rest: plastic wrap, paper towel, or clean dish towel
Wax paper
Rolling pin
Skillet or Dutch oven
Serving plate lined with paper towel
Tongs