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Festival, Bake, and Johnnycake by Chef Winston
Print Recipe

Festival vs Bake vs Johnny Cake

A Caribbean Favorite with a Hint of Sweetness Golden, lightly sweet, and crisp on the outside with a soft, fluffy center, Festival is one of the Caribbean's most beloved side dishes. While it's often associated with Jamaican cuisine, versions of sweet fried dough can be found throughout the Caribbean. Festival is the perfect companion to jerk chicken, fried fish, escovitch, curry dishes, or simply enjoyed on its own with butter.

Ingredients

Festival Recipe

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup fine yellow cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • ¼ –½ cup water as needed
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Trinidad Bake (Fried Bake)

Makes 8 bakes

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened (or vegetable shortening)
  • 1 cup warm water approximately
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Festival

    Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

      In a large bowl, whisk together:

      • Flour
      • Cornmeal
      • Sugar
      • Baking powder
      • Salt

      Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

      • Add the melted butter and milk.
      • Gradually add water while mixing until a soft, smooth dough forms.
      • The dough should be soft but not sticky.

      Step 3: Rest the Dough

      • Cover and let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
      • This allows the flour to fully hydrate and helps create a lighter texture.

      Step 4: Shape the Festival

      • Divide the dough into 10–12 equal portions.
      • Roll each piece into a log approximately:
      • 4–5 inches long
      • About 1 inch thick
      • Traditional festivals have tapered ends with a slightly thicker center.

      Step 5: Fry

      • Heat vegetable oil to 350°F.
      • Carefully place several festivals into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan.
      • Fry for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly golden brown and cooked through.
      • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

      Trinidad Bake (Fried Bake)

        Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

          In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

          • Flour
          • Baking powder
          • Salt
          • Sugar

          Step 2: Cut in the Butter

          • Add the softened butter and work it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
          • This helps create a tender, flaky interior.

          Step 3: Form the Dough

          • Gradually add the warm water while mixing until a soft dough comes together.
          • Knead for 5–7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
          • It should be soft but not sticky.

          Step 4: Rest

          • Lightly oil the dough, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rest for 1 hour.
          • Resting relaxes the gluten, making the dough easier to roll and helping it puff beautifully during frying.

          Step 5: Divide and Roll

          • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions.
          • Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
          • Let the dough balls rest for another 10 minutes.
          • Flatten each ball into a circle about:
          • 6 inches in diameter
          • ¼ inch thick
          • Avoid rolling them paper-thin.

          Step 6: Fry

          • Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F.
          • Carefully place one bake into the hot oil.
          • As it begins to puff, gently spoon hot oil over the top to encourage even inflation.
          • Flip after about 1½–2 minutes.
          • Continue frying until both sides are evenly golden brown.
          • Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
          • Repeat with the remaining dough.

          Video