Johnny Cakes: A Belizean Breakfast Treat

Belizean Johnny Cakes are a popular breakfast food and one of the top foods to eat in Belize. They are a type of quick bread made with flour, coconut milk, baking powder, salt, and sugar. The recipe typically includes mixing dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder, adding shortening or butter, and then combining with coconut milk to form a dough. The dough is then shaped into balls, flattened, and baked until golden brown. Johnny Cakes are a beloved part of Belizean cuisine and can be enjoyed with various fillings or toppings to suit individual tastes.

Preheat the oven to 375-400°F

Preheating your oven is an important step in the baking process. It ensures your Belizean Johnny Cakes cook evenly and prevents under-cooking. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to preheat your oven to 375-400°F:

Electric Oven:

• Open the oven door and ensure it is empty. If you store items in your oven, such as baking trays, remove them temporarily.
• Adjust the rack height if necessary. For Belizean Johnny Cakes, the rack should be in the middle of the oven.
• Turn on your oven and set the temperature dial to 375-400°F. If your oven has a digital display, press "bake" and use the arrows to set the temperature.
• Wait 10-15 minutes for the oven to reach the desired temperature. Most modern ovens will beep or illuminate a light to indicate they are preheated. Alternatively, use an oven thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Gas Oven:

• Ensure proper ventilation by opening a window, as gas ovens emit more fumes than electric ovens.
• Open the oven and remove any items inside, such as baking trays.
• Adjust the rack height if necessary. For Belizean Johnny Cakes, the rack should be in the middle of the oven.
• Determine if your oven uses a pilot light or electric ignition. Older ovens usually have a pilot light, while newer ones use electricity.
• If your oven has a pilot light, turn the oven on and set the temperature dial. You may need to press the dial lightly first.
• If your oven uses gas marks, convert the temperature to the corresponding gas mark.
• If the pilot light goes out, turn the temperature dials off, locate the pilot light, and relight it with a match.
• Gas ovens preheat quickly, usually within 5-10 minutes.

Now that your oven is preheated, you can proceed with baking your delicious Belizean Johnny Cakes!

Mix dry ingredients

To make Belizean Johnny Cakes, you'll need to mix together your dry ingredients in a large bowl. This includes flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. You can also add butter or shortening to the dry mixture, and use your fingers to rub it into the flour until it forms pea-sized crumbles.

The amount of each ingredient you'll need will depend on the number of Johnny Cakes you want to make. A typical recipe calls for 3 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and 4 tablespoons of butter or shortening. However, you can adjust the measurements based on your personal preference and the desired sweetness and texture of the cakes.

It's important to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding any liquid to ensure that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This will help ensure that the Johnny Cakes rise evenly and have a consistent texture.

Once the dry ingredients are mixed, you can start to incorporate the coconut milk, adding it slowly and mixing until the dough comes together.

Add shortening or butter

To make Belizean Johnny Cakes, you'll need to add shortening or butter to the dry ingredients. This includes flour, baking powder, and salt. You can also add sugar to taste, though traditional recipes tend to omit this ingredient. The amount of shortening or butter you'll need depends on the recipe you're following. Some recipes call for 1/2 cup of shortening, while others suggest using 4 tablespoons or 8 tablespoons of butter.

When adding the shortening or butter, use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture. You can also use your fingers to mix the ingredients together until they form pea-size crumbles. This technique is similar to making biscuits, where you combine flour and fat to create a breadcrumb-like consistency. The goal is to evenly distribute the shortening or butter throughout the dry ingredients.

The type of shortening or butter you use can vary. Some recipes specifically mention using unsalted butter, while others simply refer to shortening or butter without specifying the type. You can also substitute margarine for shortening if you prefer. The role of the shortening or butter is to provide fat to the dough, giving it a crumbly texture and contributing to its overall structure.

Once you've added the shortening or butter, you'll typically combine it with the dry ingredients before gradually adding a liquid, such as coconut milk. This will help bring the dough together. It's important not to overmix or knead the dough excessively, as Johnny Cakes are meant to be a quick bread rather than a yeast-based dough that requires extensive kneading.

Add coconut milk

Coconut milk is a key ingredient in Belizean Johnny Cakes. It is added to the dry ingredients of flour, salt, baking powder, and shortening, which have been rubbed together to form a breadcrumb-like consistency. The coconut milk is added gradually, with the initial amount being stirred in, and the second cup being worked in with your hands to form a soft dough. If the dough feels stiff, you can add a little more coconut milk. The dough should be soft but not overworked, as it is not a bread dough.

The amount of coconut milk used will vary depending on the recipe, but generally, it is around 1 to 1 1/4 cups. Some recipes call for warmed or room temperature coconut milk, while others suggest using chilled coconut milk straight from the tin. You can also use coconut cream as an alternative to coconut milk.

Once the dough is formed, it is rolled out and cut into pieces, which are then shaped into balls. These are placed on a greased baking sheet, flattened, and pricked with a fork before baking. The coconut milk adds a subtle, tropical flavour to the Johnny Cakes, which are often served warm with butter, cheese, or other savoury toppings.

Knead, shape, and bake

Once you've mixed your dry ingredients and shortening/butter, and added your coconut milk, you'll have a soft dough. Now it's time to knead, shape, and bake!

First, knead the dough. This should only take a few minutes—around 3-6 minutes—and you'll know it's ready when the dough is smooth.

Next, cut the dough into small pieces and roll into balls. Grease your baking sheet, and place each ball on the sheet, flattening them a bit with the palm of your hand. Prick the tops with a fork, and brush with coconut milk.

Finally, bake! Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350-400°F for 10-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. If you want to brown the tops further, place the baking sheet at the bottom of the oven for 3-5 minutes, or use the broiler option if your oven has one.

Frequently asked questions