Saint Lucian Bakes (Fried Bread)
In short: Saint Lucian bakes: golden fried dough rounds that puff in hot oil, soft inside and crisp outside, served with saltfish, cheese or jam. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Bakes are the fried bread of Saint Lucia, golden rounds of dough that puff up in hot oil and are eaten for breakfast with saltfish, cheese or jam. They are soft and slightly chewy inside with a thin crisp skin. The dough is simple, made with flour, baking powder, a little sugar and butter, and it needs only a short rest. Bakes are best eaten hot, within minutes of frying.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine crumbs.
- Add the water a little at a time, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured counter for 3 minutes until smooth.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel and rest it for 20 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 balls. On a floured counter, roll each into a disc about 12 cm (5 inches) wide and 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick.
- Heat the oil in a deep skillet to 175°C (350°F). Fry the discs one or two at a time for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until puffed and golden.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot, split open and filled with saltfish, cheese or jam.
Tips
- Keep the oil at 175°C (350°F). If it is too cool the bakes soak up oil, and if it is too hot they brown before they puff.
- Roll the dough evenly. Thin spots cook crisp while thick spots stay doughy, and an even disc puffs like a pillow.
Questions and answers
What do you eat with bakes?
Saltfish, cheese, eggs, smoked herring and jam are common. They are also eaten alongside cocoa tea, which is the traditional breakfast drink.
Are bakes the same as fried dumplings or floats?
They are close relatives. Bakes are rolled thin and puff into a soft round, while dumplings are thicker and floats are a similar fried bread with a slightly different dough.
Can I bake them in the oven instead?
You can bake the discs at 220°C (425°F) for 12 to 15 minutes, brushed with oil. They will be drier and more like a flatbread.
How long does it take to make Saint Lucian Bakes (Fried Bread)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Saint Lucian Bakes (Fried Bread)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
