Description
This versatile fried dough is equally delicious with sweet (honey, sugar, syrup, preserves) or savory (fish, chicken, cheese) accompaniments.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound all purpose flour (about 3 1/2 cups or 450g)
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar (16g)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder (13g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (5g)
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (16g)
- 1, 1/2 cup warm water (as needed)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and salt) in a large mixing bowl.
- Cut the butter into the mixture of dry ingredients (use a pastry blender, forks, or even your finger tips).
- Start adding warm water a half cup at a time to the dry mixture and mix with your hand. You want the dough to come together but not be overly wet and sticky. If you have added 1 cup of warm water and still need more, continue by adding a tablespoon of water at a time and mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Knead the dough for two to three minutes. Then form into a large ball, cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add vegetable oil to heavy pot for frying. You want about 1.5 to 2 inches (5cm) of oil in the pot. Heat oil over medium high heat to 350 degrees F.
- Cut dough into equal size portions. You can make 8 large or 12 small johnny cakes. Roll portions into a ball, then use a rolling pin or your hands to flatten them into discs.
- Add johnny cakes to the hot oil without crowding the pot. Fry for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.