Johnny Cakes were likely one of the foods eaten by early Native
Americans and are still eaten in many parts of the western hemisphere. A
Johnny Cake is a type of cornmeal flatbread. Other names for the bread
include journey cake, shawnee cake, and johnny bread. Modern forms of
Johnny Cakes are made from fried cornmeal which is mixed with salt and
water or milk. The name Johnny Cake comes from the 18th century and is
likely based on the word 'jonakin.'
Caribbean Johnny Cake
MAKES ABOUT 14
4 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into ½″ cubes and chilled
¾ cup milk
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; add butter, and, using your fingers, rub into flour mixture until pea-size crumbles form. Add milk, and stir until a stiff, sticky dough forms. Divide dough into about fourteen 2-oz. pieces and roughly shape into balls. Working in batches, fry until puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.
American Johnny Cakes
Ingredients
1 cup Johnny Cake Meal
1 T sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup (or more) boiling water
3-5 T milk
Instructions
Combine sugar and salt with meal in large bowl.
Scald with boiling water and stir well.
Thin with milk so mixture will drop easily from spoon ( add more milk if needed).
Drop by tablespoon onto hot griddle greased with 2 or 3 T of oil ( do not let griddle go dry).
Cook 5-6 minutes on each side until brown.
Caribbean Johnny Cake
MAKES ABOUT 14
INGREDIENTS
Canola oil, for frying4 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into ½″ cubes and chilled
¾ cup milk
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pour oil into a 6-qt. Dutch oven to a depth of 2″, and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 325°.2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; add butter, and, using your fingers, rub into flour mixture until pea-size crumbles form. Add milk, and stir until a stiff, sticky dough forms. Divide dough into about fourteen 2-oz. pieces and roughly shape into balls. Working in batches, fry until puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.
American Johnny Cakes
Ingredients
1 cup Johnny Cake Meal
1 T sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup (or more) boiling water
3-5 T milk
Instructions
Combine sugar and salt with meal in large bowl.
Scald with boiling water and stir well.
Thin with milk so mixture will drop easily from spoon ( add more milk if needed).
Drop by tablespoon onto hot griddle greased with 2 or 3 T of oil ( do not let griddle go dry).
Cook 5-6 minutes on each side until brown.