Where to Find Benny Cake and Other Vanishing Bahamian Treats

Benny cake doesn’t look like much — a flat, sesame seed brittle that snaps cleanly in half. But one bite into that caramelized crunch and you’re tasting generations of Bahamian confectionary tradition. And it’s getting harder to find.

This guide covers where to find Benny cake, rum cake, Johnny cake, Guava duff, and the other traditional sweets that define Bahamian baking — and how to track them down before they disappear into the afternoon rush.

At a Glance: The Treats You’ll Be Hunting For

Note: Prices are based on available research and may vary. Local bakeries tend to be more affordable than tourist-oriented shops.

Benny Cake — The Sesame Seed Brittle Worth Hunting For

Benny cake (also spelled benni cake or benney cake) is a traditional Bahamian confection made from sesame seeds. It’s essentially a sesame seed brittle — crunchy, nutty, and not too sweet. The version sold at Chiccharney Farm runs about $20 per order and is listed under their Traditional Bahamian Benni Cake product line. It’s also a staple at Mortimer Candies, where it’s called benney cake and sits alongside other old-fashioned sweets.

What makes Benny cake special is its simplicity. Sesame seeds are toasted and bound with sugar or honey, then cooled into sheets that snap into pieces. It’s the kind of treat that doesn’t travel well in heat, so buy it toward the end of your trip if you’re taking some home.

If your family has never tried sesame brittle, this is the place to start. It’s a genuinely local snack that you won’t find in tourist gift shops — and that’s exactly why it’s worth seeking out. For a deeper look at Bahamian flavors beyond Nassau, check out this guide to Eleuthera’s food scene.

Mortimer Candies — Nassau’s Old-School Sweet Shop

If you only visit one place on this list, make it Mortimer Candies. Located at E Hill St, Nassau, this iconic, generational establishment has been serving traditional Bahamian candies for decades. It’s open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM (closed Sunday), and carries a 4.5-star rating from 167 reviews.

Besides benney cakes, Mortimer Candies is known for its coconut-cream candy and its signature Paradise Sweets — colorful confections wrapped in Bahamian flag colors. They also offer hard candies, coconut treats, vibrant fruit candies, and refreshing snow cones. Customers consistently praise the consistently delicious candies at reasonable prices and the friendly service. It was featured on Wanderlog as #45 on “The 50 best shopping and stores in Nassau”.

This is the kind of place where you walk in for one thing and leave with a bag of four different treats. Your kids will probably want to grab a snow cone while you’re picking out benny cakes and coconut-cream candy to bring home — that’s exactly how a family visit tends to go here. For more dining ideas on Paradise Island, take a look at this rundown of where to eat on Paradise Island.

Rum Cake — The Souvenir That Actually Tastes Good

Rum cake is the best-known Bahamian baked good, and for good reason. It’s a rich, rum-soaked cake that’s popular as a souvenir and widely available at bakeries across Nassau and The Bahamas. A standard rum cake typically costs between $15 and $35, with smaller gift-sized cakes starting around $10 and premium or specialty flavors reaching up to $50. Local bakeries are often more affordable than tourist shops, so it’s worth seeking out a neighborhood bakery rather than grabbing one at the airport.

If you’re planning to bring rum cake home, buy it toward the end of your trip — it keeps well and actually improves after a day or two as the rum distributes through the cake. Several bakeries also offer custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, and celebrations, using tropical flavors like coconut, guava, and rum. For a different kind of rum-based drink experience, check out the best rum punch spots across the islands.

Johnny Cake and Guava Duff — The Unsung Classics

Two traditional Bahamian baked goods that don’t get the same attention as rum cake but deserve just as much: Johnny cake and Guava duff.

Johnny cake is a slightly sweet, dense bread — think of it as a cross between a biscuit and a loaf. It’s often eaten for breakfast or as a snack, sometimes with butter or jam. You’ll find it at local bakeries across Nassau, Freeport, Exuma, Abaco, and Eleuthera.

Guava duff is a boiled dessert with guava filling and butter rum sauce. It’s a proper Bahamian comfort food — soft, warm, and served with a sauce that makes it feel like a holiday. It’s less common than rum cake, so you’ll need to seek it out at a bakery that specializes in traditional items. The Salt N Fork bakery directory lists 33 restaurants in its bakery category, many of which carry these traditional baked goods. You can browse the full directory of Bahamian bakeries here.

For a broader look at what Bahamian cuisine has to offer, this overview of the untold flavors of Bahamian cuisine is a great starting point.

Snagging These Treats Before They’re Gone

The biggest challenge with Bahamian traditional treats isn’t finding them — it’s finding them before they sell out. Most bakeries in Nassau open early, between 6:00 and 8:00 AM, and some close by mid-afternoon once their goods are gone. Arriving early is the single most important tip for getting the best selection.

Bakeries by Island

Bakeries are spread across the major islands. Use the Salt N Fork bakery directory to find options on Nassau, Freeport, Exuma, Abaco, and Eleuthera. Each island has its own local spots, and the selection varies. If you’re staying on a specific island, ask locals for their favorite bakery — the best ones are often the ones without a big online presence.

Custom Cakes and Special Orders

Several bakeries in Nassau and across the islands offer custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations, using tropical flavors like coconut, guava, and rum. If you’re visiting for a special occasion, ordering ahead is a smart move — and it guarantees you’ll get a taste of something traditional.

Pricing Reality Check

Local bakeries are consistently more affordable than tourist-oriented shops. A standard rum cake that costs $15–$25 at a neighborhood bakery might be $35–$50 at a shop near the cruise port. The same goes for benny cake and other treats. If you see a good price at a local spot, buy it then — don’t assume you’ll find a better deal later.

If you’re still weighing which island to base your trip on, this interactive map of hotels and rentals across the Bahamas makes it easier to compare proximity to bakeries and local markets.

Before You Go — Bahamas Treat Hunting

What exactly is Benny cake?

Benny cake is a traditional Bahamian sesame seed brittle — crunchy, nutty, and caramelized. It’s made by toasting sesame seeds and binding them with sugar or honey, then cooling the mixture into sheets that are broken into pieces.

Is Mortimer Candies worth a detour?

Yes — it’s rated 4.5 stars from 167 reviews, and it’s one of the few places where you can find multiple vanishing treats under one roof. The coconut-cream candy and Paradise Sweets are just as popular as the benny cakes.

Can I bring rum cake home on the plane?

Yes, rum cake is a common souvenir and travels well. Buy it toward the end of your trip, and wrap it securely in your carry-on or checked luggage. The alcohol content is cooked in, so it’s not considered a liquid restriction issue.

What’s the best time of day to visit a Bahamian bakery?

Morning — ideally between 7 and 9 AM. Most bakeries open between 6 and 8 AM, and many close by mid-afternoon once they’ve sold out. The earlier you go, the better the selection.

Are there any downsides to the tourist-area candy shops?

Mainly price. Tourist-area shops often charge double what a local bakery does for the same rum cake or treats. You’re paying for location and convenience, not quality. Seek out a neighborhood bakery for better value.

Closing

Benny cake, rum cake, Johnny cake, and Guava duff aren’t just sweets — they’re edible pieces of Bahamian culture that are becoming harder to find as tourist-oriented shops crowd out the old guard. The good news is that a few places like Mortimer Candies and the local bakeries scattered across the islands are still keeping the traditions alive. You just have to know where to look, and to go early. For a deeper dive into the full range of Bahamian cuisine, this guide to the untold flavors of Bahamian food is a great next stop.

References

Mortimer Candies. “Mortimer Candies.” Wanderlog, 2025.
↗

Salt N Fork. “Bahamas Bakery Category.” Salt N Fork, 2025.
↗

Chiccharney Farm. “Traditional Bahamian Benni Cake.” Chiccharney Farm, 2025.
↗

If you’re planning a food-focused trip through the Bahamas, you’ll find plenty more to explore beyond the sweets. Check out our guides to dining at Rum Runners Retreat, Ocean Drift Bistro, and Shaded Palm Bistro for more ways to taste your way through the islands. And if you’re looking for a great place to stay that puts you near the best bakeries, our interactive lodging map can help you find the right base for your food adventure.