Johnny Cakes (Belizean Coconut Milk Breakfast Biscuits)
In short: Soft, lightly sweet baked rolls made with coconut milk and shortening, split while hot and filled with cheese, ham or beans, or eaten with jam. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 305 kcal
Johnny cakes are the baked bread of the Belizean breakfast table. The dough is a quick biscuit dough of wheat flour, baking powder, a little sugar and shortening, mixed with coconut milk instead of water or dairy milk. The rounds bake up golden, with a tender crumb and a light coconut flavor. They are split while hot and filled with cheese, ham or refried beans, or served plain with jam and a mug of tea.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Rub in the cold shortening with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces.
- Pour in the coconut milk and stir with a fork until a soft, shaggy dough forms. If dry flour remains, add more coconut milk a tablespoon at a time.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently 5 or 6 times, just until it holds together. Divide into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth round about 3 cm (1 1/4 in) thick.
- Set the rounds about 3 cm (1 1/4 in) apart on the baking sheet and brush the tops with the coconut milk.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes.
- Split the johnny cakes while still warm and serve them with your choice of filling or spread.
Tips
- Keep the shortening cold and handle the dough as little as possible. Overworked dough bakes into tough, dense johnny cakes.
- Shake the coconut milk can well before opening, because the cream rises to the top and an uneven pour makes uneven cakes.
Questions and answers
What is a Belizean johnny cake?
In Belize a johnny cake is a soft baked roll, leavened with baking powder and mixed with coconut milk. It is made from wheat flour, not cornmeal, and is usually split and filled at breakfast or eaten with tea.
Can I use regular milk instead of coconut milk?
Yes. Use the same amount of unsweetened soy milk, oat milk or water, and add one extra tablespoon of shortening for richness. The johnny cakes will taste a little plainer, without the light coconut flavor.
How do I store and reheat johnny cakes?
Keep them in an airtight container for 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat wrapped in foil in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 10 minutes, or until warm and soft all the way through.
How long does it take to make Johnny Cakes (Belizean Coconut Milk Breakfast Biscuits)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Johnny Cakes (Belizean Coconut Milk Breakfast Biscuits)?
About 305 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 305 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
