Johnny Cake: A Virgin Island's Staple

I absolutely love when I’m given opportunities to showcase my 🇻🇮 culture. This Easter Sunday I attended an amazing brunch hosted by the beautiful (and proudly Dominican 🇩🇲) @dees_curve. She had requested that I bring “bakes” but the closest thing I know is Johnny Cake.

At the start of the pandemic my amazing friend @findingdeidre posted her #johnnycake recipe and I absolutely live by it. For gatherings, I literally just make it twice. To my knowledge, bakes don’t require sugar (and I put a little extra sugar in) so these were definitely a hit.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups bread flour

• 4 tsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp butter (cold)

• 1/2 cup room temperature whole milk

• 1/4 cup room temperature water

• 2-4 tbsp sugar (depending on how sweet you like them; I used 4.5 🤓)

▪️ Combine dry ingredients in large bowl or mixer. Add butter and wet ingredients slowly.

▪️Mix until dough is combined. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead. Dough should not be too dry but also shouldn’t stick to any surface.

▪️Once combined, put in bowl, cover with damp cloth or paper towel and allow to rest for at least one hr. The longer the better. Dough will not rise.

▪️Once rested, knead again and then separate in balls a little smaller than golf balls. This recipe should make about 9-12 depending on the size. Allow to rest again for at least 30 minutes.

▪️Heat cooking oil to medium heat. I prefer vegetable, but you can use corn oil if that’s your preference. Using a lightly floured rolling pin or liquor bottle flatten your Johnny cake balls and slide them down the side of the pan into the oil to not burn yourself.

▪️Fry until golden on each side. Keep an eye on them, they’ll expand and may burn quickly. Once golden on each side, place on paper towel or brown bag to absorb excess oil.

▪️Enjoy!

Please tag me if you try this! I’d love to see! ♥️

#glencancook

#usviblogger