Ah, Johnny cakes—those delightful little cornmeal pancakes with a history as rich as their flavor. I stumbled upon these Southern gems during a road trip through Louisiana, where a local diner served them with a side of sweet molasses. The crispy edges and soft centers had me hooked instantly, and I couldn’t help but think how they resemble edible sunshine on a plate, offering comfort with every bite.
Steps
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk until evenly mixed.
- Create a well in the center of the dry mix, then add eggs, buttermilk, water, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture forms a smooth batter.
- Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat, adding bacon grease or oil. Once hot, pour about 3 tablespoons of batter per cake into the skillet, forming small discs.
- Cook each cake until bubbles form on the edges, then flip and continue cooking until golden brown. Serve immediately with butter or syrup.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup melted butter, slightly cooled
- Vegetable oil or bacon grease for frying
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1914 kcal | Carbohydrates: 228 g | Protein: 42 g | Fat: 96 g | Saturated Fat: 48 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 42 g | Cholesterol: 546 mg | Sodium: 4362 mg | Fiber: 12 g | Sugar: 36 g
FAQ
- What exactly are Johnny Cakes?
- Johnny Cakes, also known as Hoe Cakes or Shawnee Cakes, are small, round cornmeal pancakes or fried cornbread. They are made from a mixture of cornmeal and self-rising flour, and typically fried in bacon grease to achieve crispy edges. These cakes can be enjoyed with syrup or as a side dish.
- How do Johnny Cakes differ from regular pancakes?
- While Johnny Cakes may resemble traditional pancakes, they differ in texture and flavor. Pancakes are known for being soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, whereas Johnny Cakes are a type of cornbread with a basic batter, fried in bacon fat or oil for crispy edges.
- What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
- If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute it with whole milk. However, for the tangy flavor that buttermilk provides, you can make your own by mixing 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- What is the best way to cook Johnny Cakes?
- Johnny Cakes are best cooked in a heavy skillet, like a cast-iron pan, using bacon grease or oil. This method ensures crispy edges, enhancing their flavor. Fry each cake until the edges start to bubble, then flip and cook until golden brown.
- Can the batter be adjusted for consistency?
- Yes, the batter for Johnny Cakes is intended to be thick. However, if you prefer a slightly thinner batter, you can add 1 tablespoon of water to achieve the desired consistency.
Tips
- Serve the Johnny cakes hot off the skillet for optimal crispy edges and best flavor.
- For a tangy flavor, use buttermilk instead of regular milk. You can easily make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of whole milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Fry the cakes in bacon grease for the best taste. Cook your bacon first and then use the leftover grease for frying the cakes.
- A cast-iron skillet is ideal for cooking these cakes, but a heavy-duty skillet or griddle will also work well.
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet – A heavy-duty skillet ideal for achieving crispy edges on the hoe cakes.
- Griddle – An alternative to a cast iron skillet, useful for cooking multiple hoe cakes at once.
