You Won't Believe How Easy It Is to Make These Delicious Hoe Cakes!

I’m not sure about you, but in our house, an ordinary Sunday morning means pancakes. But I mean hoe cakes, which you might also know as johnny cakes. Cornmeal pancakes and hoe cakes are thought to be eaten by the indigenous Americans, still a tradition in the South.

Regardless of its background, this hoe cakes recipe couldn’t be easier to make, and you can pair it with basically anything! Hoe cakes are a great breakfast food, and they make a great side dish for dinner as well. Let’s take a look.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• Storage
• Tips
• Hoe Cakes Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour — 1 cup.
• Cornmeal — 1 cup.
• Eggs — 2 pcs., large.
• Sugar — ½ tbsp.
• Buttermilk — ½ cup.
• Vegetable oil — ⅓ cup.
• Water — optional.
• Bacon grease — optional.
• Salt — ¼ tbsp.

Instructions

1. Stir the cornmeal, salt, and all-purpose flour together in a mixing bowl. Mix well until it’s smooth.

2. In a second mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and buttermilk until smooth.

3. Pour the cornmeal mixture into the wet batter and stir until there are no lumps.

4. Let it rest until the mixture reaches the desired thickness.

5. Add the oil and stir the mixture.

6. Heat a large skillet and add the oil.

7. Transfer the dough to the pan and fry until the edges turn brown.

8. Flip periodically, so that both sides are cooked evenly.

Substitutions

• Self-rising flour — Though we opted for all-purpose flour in our hoe cakes recipe, you can substitute it with self-rising flour, which would result in more tender hoe cakes. Remember not to add salt to the dry mixture if you’ll be using the latter.

• Bacon grease — Bacon grease is what separates a true Southern cook from others. Swapping vegetable oil for bacon grease means much, much more delicious hoe cakes. 

Equipment

• Two medium-sized mixing bowls.

• Large skillet.

• Measuring cups and spoons.

• Whisk.

Storage

• Although our hoe cakes are best enjoyed fresh, you can always wrap any leftovers and store them in your fridge for a week.

Tips

• Make ahead — If you happen to find yourself short of time, you can always make the batter ahead. Store it in the freezer for up to two days.

• Serving — Honey, maple syrup, and our pear butter would all be ideal toppings. If you’re feeling bold, you might even want to try avocado cream.

• Pairings — This southern beauty pairs well with many dishes, so you’ll have lots of options when it comes to that. Chicken chops and lumpia isda would be ideal.