Johnny Cakes the Bahamas

Dive into the heart of Bahamian comfort food with this authentic recipe for Johnny Cakes, a beloved island staple. These subtly sweet, tender bread cakes are made with simple pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, sugar, and milk, enriched with buttery goodness for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly golden and lightly crisp on the outside, they pair beautifully with butter, cheese, stewed fish, or even tropical jams, making them an incredibly versatile addition to any meal. With minimal prep time and an easy-to-follow method that guarantees success, this classic Bahamian Johnny Cakes recipe is perfect for breakfast, midday snacks, or as a flavorful side at your next gathering. Experience the taste of the Bahamas in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cups unsalted butter (cold, diced)
• 1.25 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing the pan)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan with vegetable oil and set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the cold, diced butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk while stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be soft but not sticky.

Step 5

Lightly flour a clean surface and turn the dough out. Gently knead it just a few times to bring it together, then shape it into a round or square to fit your greased pan.

Step 6

Place the dough in the prepared pan and use your hands or a spatula to press it evenly to the edges. Score the top lightly with a knife to make slicing easier after baking.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove from the oven and allow the Johnny Cake to cool slightly in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool fully or serve warm.

Step 9

Slice into wedges or squares and serve as is, or enjoy with butter, cheese, stewed fish, or jam for a classic Bahamian experience.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	982.1 grams (982.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3094

Total Fat 122.20g	157%
Saturated Fat 68.20g	341%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g
Cholesterol 290mg	97%
Sodium 3394mg	148%
Total Carbohydrate 435.10g	158%
Dietary Fiber 13.10g	47%
Total Sugars 65.80g
Protein 60.60g	121%

Vitamin D 210IU	1052%
Calcium 472mg	36%
Iron 22mg	124%
Potassium 1017mg	22%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.7%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 56.5%