Jamaican Johnny Cakes
Vacation Qualms and amazing Jamaican Johnny Cakes!
Before we moved to the mountains, we used to vacation in the mountains.
Now that we live in the lush rolling slopes of North Carolina, we travel elsewhere to vacate.
Like the beach.
I love the warm velvety sand between my toes, the sun kissing my forehead, watching the waves gently roll in, and the constant roar of the sea.
I love watching my husband chase the little ones down the beach, laughing and kicking through the sea foam. Yet the moment I step foot in the water, I am on guard.
Watchful of sharks.
Do I let my babies go in the water? Yes, because I know my fear is irrational. (And because my husband would give me a lecture on parenting.) But I am poised, ready to snatch them from the waves and high-tail it out of the water, at the first glimpse of danger.
Go ahead and laugh. Sometimes I’m a head-case.
Well, these two are afraid of nothing. You can learn a lot from children.
Actually, you can learn a lot from just about anyone. You never know when you are going to gain new knowledge and experience new things.
Take this unassuming little restaurant in Sunset Beach, for instance. I’ve eaten Jamaican food plenty of times. What could possibly surprise me?
The bread, that’s what.
The most nontraditional and luxurious Jamaican Johnny Cakes Recipe I’ve ever experienced. Tender, moist, airy with a fine crumb, almost a CAKE, but served as an appetizer. The Sugar Shack’s Jamaican Johnny Cakes is a delicate corny pillow with a good dose of clove. This is my kind of bread.
Don’t let the Johnny Cake’s humble appearance fool you. This “bread” is not to be missed. Unlike the classic heavy fry bread normally considered “Johnny Cake” in the isles, this is special. An ultra silky cornbread/buttermilk cake hybrid that is utterly addictive. Two loaves will not be enough.
Consider yourself warned!
I didn’t ask for the recipe, like I do here in Asheville. Instead I came home and experimented until I replicated the Sugar Shack’s famous Jamaican Johnny Cakes.
I’m awfully proud of myself over this one. Somehow, it makes me feel better about the shark issue.
Other ASP breads you’ll love:
Favorite breads on the web:
Cinnamon Swirl Bread ~ Recipe Girl
Homemade English Muffins ~ Bell’ Alimento
Brazilian Cheese Bread ~ Simple Recipes
Jamaican Johnny Cakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups cake flour
- 3/4 cup finely ground cornmeal plus extra for the pans
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground clove
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- 1 cup full fat buttermilk
Instructions
- Lower the oven rack to the bottom half of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter and dust two to 9x5 loaf pans with cornmeal.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt and clove. Mix well.
- Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar for 3-5 minutes, until very light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, followed by the vanilla and buttermilk.
- Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mixture. Scrape the bowl and beat again until just smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the loaf pans. Bake, undisturbed for 40-50 minutes. Insert a toothpick to ensure the cakes are cooked through. If the toothpick comes out clean, remove them from the oven.
- Cool for 10 minutes, before carefully flipping out of the pans. Serve warm. The cake should be light and slightly crumbly. Makes 2 loaves.
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you said it was served as an appetizer. What do you serve the bread with. It looks like sour cream or ricotta smeared on the bread in the photo.
Hi GB,
You can serve it as a side with a Caribbean meal, or as an appetizer spread with soft butter. :)
That’s so awesome you figured out the recipe! After a trip to the Sugar Shack this summer and last, I knew I had to find the recipe for their amazing Johnny Bread! I can’t wait to make this!!!! Thank you! We love Ocean Isle! Haven’t been to Sunset other than checking it out in the evening.
Just the recipe I was searching for after the most delicious meal @ Sugar Shack! Thanks
Loved it
No way!!! We vacation in Ocean Isle and MUST hit up Sugar Shack every time!! And every year I’m left craving Johnny Cake once we’re back home in PA. I had a recipe but misplaced it, so I took to Pinterest to find another. So excited to find your recipe and post!! Cannot wait to whip this up!!! Thank you!!
Thanks so much for the recipe! We have been going to OIB since I was a little girl. We were just there last week and went to the Sugar Shack. I LOVE the Johnny Cake and was hoping that someone would have a recipe on the internet for me to try. I think I will make a few loaves and freeze them for gifts for the holidays! Why not have a little sunshine when it’s cold and windy outside! Thanks again for the recipe!
Can’t wait to make this, but cannot get full-fat buttermilk around here. Wonder how much the low-fat would affect it.
It should still be ok, but you cam MAKE buttermilk with full-fat milk and a little vinegar. :)
Just made a couple of loaves and they turned out FANTASTIC! My husband and I have nearly polished of one loaf already and they’ve only been out of the oven for half an hour, ha ha! They taste just like the johnny cakes from my favourite Jamaican restaurant.
Interesting story and the Johnny Cakes sound delicious and are going on my project list for Fall or Winter as I don’t like to bake during the Summer.
That BBC shark video really freaked me out! Sadly, I’ve totally lost my appetite. Your Johnny cake does look good, though.
That looks great.