- Course: Bread
~~ Bahamian Johnny Cake Recipe ~~
Whether we are serving soup, souse, or stew, Johnny cake is that one quick bread that is served. I love Johnny Cake, and the recipe I am sharing with you is my mom’s recipe that she would make for us as children. Bahamian Johnny Cake is a quick bread that has been a part of our culture for as long as I can remember.

Bahamian Johnny Cake
If you have spent time in the Bahamas, you know that Johnny Cake is a favorite treat. When it’s fresh and just out of the oven, the warm aroma of mild spices and buttery flavor instantly swoops your senses to paradise. But if you can’t make it back to the islands anytime soon, do not worry. You can recreate this tasty pastry right at home! This blog post will explore an easy-to-follow Bahamian Johnny cake recipe guaranteed to give your taste buds a tropical escape. So grab some ingredients from your pantry, and let’s get started!
Ingredients for Bahamian Johnny Cake Recipe
Bahamian Johnny cake is a staple dish in the Bahamas, and for a good reason! It can be as simple or as complex as you’d like it to be. Of course, whatever your level of experience in the kitchen, it’s essential to use the highest quality ingredients available. Therefore, selecting a suitable flour and sugar blend is incredibly crucial. Moreover, seek out lower-gluten flour made explicitly for baking purposes to achieve maximum fluffiness!
With just one bite of your carefully crafted Johnny cake, you’ll see why choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference.
Here is the list of main ingredients you need to make a perfect Bahamian Johnny Cake at home!
Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when you’re thinking about baking a delicious cake, but it has a lot to offer. With its nutty flavor and wholesome texture, whole wheat flour grounds your cake with a rustic taste. In addition, it is incredibly versatile and packs a nutritious punch, providing fiber, nutrients, and vitamins from grains not found in all-purpose flour. So why not take advantage of it in your next bake? You might be surprised at how much you enjoy the results!
Note: You can also use spelt flour instead of whole wheat flour in your cake. After all, it’s about your personal taste preference.
Unbleached White Flour
Baking a delicious and one-of-a-kind cake requires more than just the best ingredients – it requires two types of flour! For a wonderful texture and flavor, you need both whole wheat and white unbleached flour when creating your cake masterpiece. Whole wheat flour features a nuttier flavor and contains a bit more fiber and vitamins, while white unbleached flour helps to lighten up the cake while providing variability in its structure. So, get out those measuring cups and mix up a tasty combination of both flours for your next baked delight!
Plant-based Butter
Plant-based butter is an excellent alternative to regular butter that you can use in your Bahamian Johnny cake. The texture is velvety and smooth, with flavor notes of nuttiness that complement the dish you’re creating. Plus, the texture can mimic real butter, making transitioning to a vegan diet easier than you think!
Coconut Milk
The taste of coconut milk is one of a kind. It’s sweet and creamy all at once, with hints of vanilla making it a refreshingly indulgent treat. This magical ingredient also always adds something unique when used in desserts.
Note: You can also use other plant-based milk present in your kitchen cupboards if you don’t have coconut milk.
Sugar or Maple Syrup
Choosing the suitable sweetener is essential when making the perfect Bahamian Johnny cake! Many traditional recipes call for either sugar or maple syrup – and both will give it a delicious flavor.
Depending on your preference, you can use sugar to give your Johnny cake a touch of sweetness and a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Or, if you’d like to add something more complex to your cake, you can opt for pure maple syrup. Its earthy notes pair perfectly with this sweet treat.
So whether you’re looking for subtlety or depth of flavor, choose sugar or maple syrup while making your Bahamian Johnny cake – it’ll be sure to take it from good to great!
How to Store the Leftover Johnny Cake?
Storing leftover Bahamian Johnny Cake may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! The secret is knowing how to keep the cake’s light, fluffy texture intact, which requires some simple steps.
To store it properly, wrap the cake in plastic or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Make sure you put the leftover cake in the fridge or freezer within two hours of its first serving.
When you’re ready to reheat and enjoy your Johnny cake, microwave each slice covered with a damp paper towel for up to 20 seconds. Enjoy your freshly cooked Bahamian treat!
What can you Serve with Bahamian Johnny Cake?
Johnny cake is a traditional Bahamian dish, often made with the ingredients mentioned above to form a yummy, crumbly crust that pairs perfectly with many savory sides.
While there are lots of traditional dishes like boiled peas to serve it with, you can also choose many healthy options. For example, toss it together with a salad made of tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.
For breakfast, crack open the top of your Johnny Cake and enjoy a healthy start to your morning! Whatever direction you decide to go in, adding Bahamian Johnny Cake to the meal will surely please everyone’s taste buds.
What’s so Special about Bahamian Johnny Cake?
The Bahamian Johnny Cake is like no other – a healthy, delicious treat that natives of the Bahamas have been enjoying for centuries. How healthy exactly? The main ingredients are whole white flour, coconut milk, and plant-based butter, so you can be assured it’s not packed with unhealthy calories or additives.
It’s also incredibly versatile – you can enjoy it as a snack or pair it with savory dishes. With these features, Bahamian Johnny Cake may be one of the islands’ most flavorful and healthiest dishes.
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Other Bahamian bread recipes you will find tasty on this blog include the following:
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I hope you enjoyed this Resource and Recipe. If you did you can choose to share and follow this and other resource material on my other Social Media Platform, TIKTOK, SOMETHING BETTER TODAY, PINTEREST, and YOUTUBE.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Whole Wheat flour or Spelt
- 2/1/2 cups white unbleached flour
- 1 cup Plant Based Butter
- 1 cup coconut milk or plant-based milk
- 1/2 cup sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsps Baking Powder, Aluminum free
- 1 cup water (more as needed)
Instructions
- Measure out all the dry ingredients, flour, salt, and sugar into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the soy margarine, and cut it into small pieces. Rub the margarine into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add milk and water a little at a time in the center of the mixture, working from the outside in until a firm dough is formed. Pour the mixture out onto a clean dry surface.
- Press dough into a pre-sprayed 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350ºF. for 45 minutes to 1 an hour or until golden brown.
- Serve
Notes
The Texture
The consistency or texture of the dough should be soft but not cake-like. It should resemble bread dough.
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