Johnny Cakes are delicious, easy and quick to make fried cornbread cakes made with pantry staples. Cornbread lovers consider yourself warned because these little nuggets are so tasty. I love to serve them warm out of the pan with all kinds of goodies. They go great with so many dishes like scrambled or fried eggs, Turkey Chili, and Creamy Ham and Potato Soup! Just to name a few!
What is a Johnny Cake?
A Johnny Cake, also known as a hoecake, ashcake, journey cake, Shawnee cake, or corn cake, is kind of a cross between cornmeal flatbread and cornmeal pancakes. They are little more fluffy than a true flatbread but not as fluffy as a pancake. The little hand sized pieces have tons of sweet flavor from the cornmeal and delectable crispy edges. My husband loves his dipped in syrup while I prefer mine with a little pat of butter. As with almost anything fried they are best served straight out of the pan.
What do I serve with these little bites of heaven?
The possibilities are endless on what to serve with Johnny Cakes (also referred to as Hoe Cakes in the south) however you should time whatever you are serving it with to be done at the same time. Hoe cakes are best served hot off the grill.
How do you make Johnny Cakes?
First in a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar and salt. Then in a separate medium bowl whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Then add the water and melted butter to the egg mixture whisking just until combined. Now add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients stirring just until combined.
Heat a little bit of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Then add about 2-3 tablespoons batter for each cake to the pan. I use a gravy ladle and it works perfectly. Cook until bubbles form on the top and the edges are a deep golden brown. Then flip with a spatula and cook until the other side is golden brown too. Move to paper towels to drain. For best results serve promptly.
Recipe notes and tips
- These are best served hot out of the pan while the edges are crispy. To keep the hoe cakes warm and crispy while you are frying them place on a rimmed baking sheet in a 250 degree oven.
- Make your own buttermilk by simply mixing 3/4 cup of milk (maybe a scant less) with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes before proceeding with the rest of recipe.
- It is best to reheat the cakes by wrapping in foil and placing on a baking sheet. Heat in the oven at 350 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
- To take this recipe to an all new high use bacon fat to fry the cakes. It gives them a little bit of a smoky flavor with extra crispy edges.
- These tasty numbers are traditionally served with maple syrup or honey and butter. However I have found that they are equally delicious alongside soup, stew and chili.
Johnny Cakes
These delectable little fried cornmeal Johnny Cakes are easy, quick and go well with soup, chili and stew. Or simply enjoy with a little butter and warm syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup melted butter (slightly cooled)
- vegetable oil or butter for frying
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- In a separate medium bowl whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Add the water and melted butter to the egg mixture whisking just until combined. Now add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients stirring just until combined.
- Heat a little bit of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons batter for each cake to the pan. Cook until bubbles form on the top and the edges are a deep golden brown. Flip and cook until the other side is golden brown. Move to paper towels to drain. For best results serve promptly.
Notes
- These are best served hot out of the pan while the edges are crispy. To keep the hoe cakes warm and crispy while you are frying them place on a rimmed baking sheet in a 250 degree oven.
- Make your own buttermilk by simply mixing 3/4 cup of milk (maybe a scant less) with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes before proceeding with the rest of recipe.
- It is best to reheat the cakes by wrapping in foil and placing on a baking sheet. Heat in the oven at 350 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
- To take this recipe to an all new high use bacon fat to fry the cakes. It gives them a little bit of a smoky flavor with extra crispy edges.
- These tasty numbers are traditionally served with maple syrup or honey and butter. However I have found that they are equally delicious alongside soup, stew and chili.
Keywords: what is a johnny cake, hoe cakes, how to make johnny cakes
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Rita
I have made these all my life but never use sugar – they’re great without it! My grandmother Ellie taught me to cook when I was eleven, on a wood stove. She would be thrilled with my huge electric skillet! 💕
★★★★★
Katie
I absolutely love pairing these with a warm, hearty bowl of chili! So good.
★★★★★
Lily
I served these johnny cakes with oxtail stew and these disappeared so fast!! They are the best bready side for any comfort food recipe!!
★★★★★
Betsy
Whenever I go to Cracker Barrel I always order corn bread instead of pancakes and then enjoy them with a nice pour of maple syrup. So delicious! Love this recipe; so much better than a pancake OR cornbread! It’s like the best of both worlds! And now my cornbread actually looks like breakfast food! 😀
★★★★★
Biana
These Johnny cakes look so good! Perfect to make for brunch, will be trying them soon.
★★★★★
Lima Ekram
Ive never made these before – Clearly missing out! Cant wait to try these with eggs!
★★★★★
Julie Menghini
These Johnny cakes look marvelous! I like how easy they are to make and how they go with so many different breakfast items.
★★★★★
Elizabeth
These are delicious! I usually make corn muffins to go with chili, but from now on it’ll be johnny cakes all the way. 😀
★★★★★
Melissa
Wow – these were so delicious! I’m making this again.
★★★★★
Jacque Hooper
What a tasty way to start my day! Excited to make these for breakfast tomorrow; looks too good to pass up!
★★★★★
Kristyn
I have been missing out!! What delicious little cakes! I am a big fam of cornbread & found my new way to eat it!
★★★★★
Kevin
These were a hit over the weekend! I cannot wait to make them again!
★★★★★
Sara Welch
Excited to make this for breakfast tomorrow; looks perfectly light and fluffy! Delicious!
★★★★★
Toni Dash
My kids love these! A delicious breakfast idea!
★★★★★
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
I am so excited to try these johnny cakes! They are incredibly delicious!
★★★★★
katerina @ diethood.com
WOW! These johnny cakes look SO GOOD! My family would love them!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
These Johnny Cakes are sound delicious! Dangerously good…
★★★★★
Amanda
I have saved this for this weekend! I can’t wait!
Julia
I am saving this recipe for the upcoming Thanksgiving brunch we will have this weekend! That butter melting made me drool 🙂
★★★★★
Toni Dash
I really love how easy this is to make!! My kids loved it!
★★★★★
Taylor Kiser
These will go great with soups and Chili’s all season long! I love how easy they are to make!
★★★★★
Vidya Narayan
Johny Cakes stacked up with the melting butter looks absolutely delightful and tempting. A perfect breakfast for the entire family with scrambled eggs.
★★★★★
Nart at Cooking with Nart
These look so delicious. I could have them with fried eggs any morning!
★★★★★