Johnny Cake

Johnny cake is a beloved Aruban bread, a round cake of cornmeal and flour dough that is fried or griddled until golden, crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy within. It is a simple dough of flour, a little cornmeal, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk, shaped into a flat round and cooked until it puffs and browns. The result is somewhere between a biscuit and a fried bread, and it is a staple of island breakfasts and snacks.

Johnny cake is found across the wider Caribbean, and on Aruba it is a comforting, everyday bread. It is split and filled or eaten alongside savoury food, with classic pairings including cheese, fried fish, and saltfish (bacalao). Warm from the pan, it is hard to resist on its own, and it doubles as a side that scoops up sauces just as well as pan bati.

How it is eaten

Johnny cake is most popular at breakfast, often split and filled with cheese or fish, but it is enjoyed throughout the day as a snack or a side. It pairs naturally with the island's stews and fried fish.

• It is naturally vegetarian as a plain bread, though it is frequently filled with fish or meat.
• Look for it at bakeries, snack trucks, and home kitchens across Oranjestad and Noord.

For a quick, satisfying island breakfast, pick up a warm johnny cake filled with cheese or saltfish from a bakery or snack truck.