Sweet Jamaican Festival Bread
A quick and easy homemade version of the classic Jamaican street food. This sweet, twisted cornmeal bread is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect for dipping in soups or stews.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (125g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup (150g) Yellow Cornmeal (fine or medium grind)
- 3 tablespoons (35g) White Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 3/4 cup (180ml) Milk (whole milk, room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (melted)
- 1 large Egg (beaten)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Vegetable Oil (for frying)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt until no lumps remain.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes until smooth but tender.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 6-8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (10-12 inches) and twist it around your finger to create a spiral shape. Pinch the ends to seal.
- Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet to a depth of about 1 inch and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully place 2-3 pieces of bread into the oil, ensuring not to crowd the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and puffed.
- Remove the bread with a slotted spoon and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Ensure baking powder is fresh for maximum lift. If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour; if too dry, add a splash of milk. Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature. For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. To bake instead of fry, brush with oil and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 twisted piece
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Jamaican Festival Bread, sweet cornmeal bread, fried dough, Caribbean recipes, easy bread recipe, side dish for curry goat, comfort food