Journey Cakes, Belizean Style: A Recipe Guide

Belizean Johnny Cakes, also known as Journey Cakes, are a popular breakfast food in Belize. They are small rolls of leavened dough that are baked in the oven until golden and served with toppings such as refried beans, meat, cheese, butter, scrambled eggs, or even stewed chicken. The cakes are believed to have originated in North America, where they were made by Native Americans using cornmeal instead of flour. They were likely called Journey Cakes because they are suitable for long trips, lasting for weeks. The recipe varies across the Caribbean, but the Belizean version typically includes flour, coconut milk, baking powder, and butter or shortening. The dough is shaped into balls, flattened, and baked until golden brown.

Mixing the dry ingredients

First, measure out the flour into a large bowl. The exact quantity may vary depending on how many cakes you want to make, but a typical recipe will require around 3-4 cups of all-purpose flour. Next, add the salt. You should only need a teaspoon of salt, but you can adjust the quantity to your taste.

The next dry ingredient is the sugar. This is optional, but if you choose to include it, you will need around 2-4 tablespoons. It is best to start with a smaller amount and add more to taste if needed. The final dry ingredient is the baking powder. This is an essential ingredient as it helps the cakes to rise. You will need 2-4 teaspoons of baking powder, depending on the quantity of flour used.

Once you have measured out all the dry ingredients, mix them together in the bowl. It is important to mix them thoroughly at this stage to ensure they are fully combined before the wet ingredients are added. You can use a whisk or a fork to mix them together, or you can simply stir them with a spoon.

Once the dry ingredients are fully combined, you are ready to add the butter and begin forming a crumbly dough. However, this is a topic for another paragraph, or perhaps even another article!

Adding the shortening/butter

Now it's time to add the shortening or butter to your dry ingredients. You can use either, but if you opt for butter, make sure it's softened and cut into small pieces. For this recipe, you'll need 8 tablespoons of butter or 1/2 cup of shortening. You can also use unsalted butter if you prefer.

Add your chosen fat to the flour mixture and combine it with your hands or a fork. You want to distribute the fat evenly throughout the flour, so keep mixing until you have a consistent texture. A good indication that you've mixed it enough is when the mixture looks like breadcrumbs or pea-sized crumbles. This step is important as it ensures your Belizean journey cakes will be light and fluffy.

Take your time with this step, and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! It's worth noting that if you're using a food processor, you can simply pulse the butter and flour mixture a few times until you achieve the desired consistency.

Once your mixture resembles breadcrumbs, you're ready to move on to the next step of adding the coconut milk.

Adding the coconut milk

To add the coconut milk, start by placing your flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl and mixing them together. Once these dry ingredients are combined, slowly add in the coconut milk. You can do this with a spoon, but using your hands will give you more control and help you to feel when the mixture reaches the right consistency.

Stir the coconut milk into the dry ingredients until everything is moistened and holds together. You should be able to form the mixture into a ball that can be cleanly removed from the bowl. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a little more coconut milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. On the other hand, if the dough feels too sticky, add a small amount of flour to absorb some of the moisture.

Once your dough is soft and pliable, you're ready to move on to the next step of shaping it into balls. However, if you're not ready to bake your journey cakes just yet, you can store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. Just be sure to let it come back to room temperature and give it a quick knead before proceeding.

By following these instructions and taking your time, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and authentic Belizean journey cakes that you can serve for breakfast or enjoy as a snack throughout the day.

Kneading the dough

Begin by mixing the dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. The general rule of thumb for the amount of baking powder is to use one teaspoon for each cup of flour. Combine these ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.

Next, incorporate the shortening or butter into the dry mixture. Using your fingers or a fork, rub the shortening or butter into the flour mixture until it forms pea-size crumbles or a sandy consistency. This step ensures that the fat is evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Now, it's time to add the liquid ingredient—coconut milk. Warm the coconut milk slightly before adding it to the dry ingredients. Slowly pour the coconut milk into the mixture and gently stir it in. Continue adding coconut milk until the mixture comes together as a soft dough. It's important not to over-mix or over-knead the dough at this stage.

Once the dough has formed, turn it out onto a floured surface. This step provides a non-sticky surface to work with the dough. Use your hands to knead the dough, applying gentle pressure and folding it over onto itself. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process helps to develop the gluten in the dough, which gives the cakes their characteristic texture.

After kneading, divide the dough into equal-sized pieces. The number of pieces will depend on the size of the cakes you prefer, typically ranging from 12 to 24 pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball by rolling it between your palms.

Finally, place the dough balls onto a prepared pan or baking sheet. You can choose to flatten the balls slightly or leave them round, depending on your preference for the shape of your journey cakes. If you flatten them, use the palm of your hand to gently press down on each ball.

Now, your dough is ready for the next steps in the journey cake-making process!

Shaping and baking the cakes

Once you've made your dough, it's time to shape and bake your Belizean journey cakes. First, roll out the dough into a long strip about 12 to 15 inches in length. Then, cut the strip into 1 1/2" to 2" pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball and place them on a greased baking sheet. You should end up with about 12 dough balls.

Next, flatten the balls lightly with the palm of your hand. Poke the tops of the balls all over with a fork to create tiny holes. This step will give the journey cakes their characteristic texture.

Now, your journey cakes are ready to bake! Place them in a hot oven (around 400°F or 200°C) and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.

Once they're done, remove them from the oven and enjoy! Belizean journey cakes are typically served warm and can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet or savoury toppings, such as butter, jelly, cheese, beans, ham, or egg.

Frequently asked questions