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.
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
- Stir the cornmeal, salt, and all-purpose flour together in a mixing bowl. Mix well until it’s smooth.
- In a second mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and buttermilk until smooth.
- Pour the cornmeal mixture into the wet batter and stir until there are no lumps.
- Let it rest until the mixture reaches the desired thickness.
- Add the oil and stir the mixture.
- Heat a large skillet and add the oil.
- Transfer the dough to the pan and fry until the edges turn brown.
- 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.
