Old Fashioned Johnny Cake Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Also known as journey cakes (because it travels well). This version is baked more like cornbread while some other recipes make it into more of a pancake flatbread.

Old Fashioned Johnny Cake Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

30-60 minutes

3 reviews
3 comments


ingredients

1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 cup sweet milk (whole milk)

directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 8x8 baking pan.

Sift the yellow cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until incorporated.

While stirring, add the egg and milk. Mix until just combined (the batter will be lumpy).

Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or until done. Let cool slightly then cut into squares and serve.

Store leftovers in an airtight container.

recipe tips


Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature.

Do not overmix the batter or the Johnny cake may turn out crumbly and dry.

Grease the baking pan well to prevent sticking.

Always preheat the oven before baking.

Let the Johnny cake cool slightly in the pan before cutting.

For a crispier crust, brush the top with melted butter before baking.

Use a knife or spatula to level the flour when measuring for accuracy.

Try adding herbs or spices like rosemary or thyme for a more savory flavor.

common recipe questions


Can I use a different type of milk in this recipe?

Yes, you can use any type of milk you prefer, including plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar, but it will affect the overall sweetness of the Johnny Cake.

How do I know when the Johnny Cake is fully baked?

The cake is done when it's golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Can I add any additional ingredients to the batter?

Yes, you can add ingredients like corn kernels, bacon, jalapenos, or cheese.

How should I store leftover Johnny Cake?

Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

What's the best way to serve Johnny Cake?

Serve warm with butter, honey, or as a side dish with soups and stews.

Can I make Johnny Cake in a cast iron skillet?

Yes, you can bake it in a preheated 9-inch round cast iron skillet for a crispy crust.


nutrition data for old fashioned johnny cake

373 calories, 7 grams fat, 67 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams protein per serving.



more recipes like old fashioned johnny cake

CORNBREAD FROM SCRATCH

THREE-INGREDIENT CORNBREAD

MICROWAVE CORN BREAD

SPIDER CORNBREAD

SKILLET BAKED HOT WATER CORNBREAD


reviews & comments for old fashioned johnny cake

  1. Waterlily October 3, 2020

    Going to have to try this! My mom made this for us growing up in the 50’s and 60’s often. There was eleven children and she served dessert every night! Johnny cake and syrup baked in a big ol’ baking pan, hot out of the oven...we just loved it!😊

  2. Ruthie March 24, 2020

    I have my Grandmother's recipe for Johnny cake but we always made it with buttermilk. Anyone else's family make it this way?

  3. Eric REVIEW:
    August 27, 2017

    I made this Johnny Cake for my 10 yr old son. It is exactly like the one his great grandfather John loved so much serv d with butter and maple syrup on top. My son loved it and learned a little of his family history in a yummy way.

  4. Grandma 13 REVIEW:
    July 24, 2014

    Best Johnny cake recipe I've ever tried and my Dad was southern born and we ate it a lot when I was little. Wonderful sweetness and I used one can of Sweetened condensed milk (one cup) and a 1/2 cup of 2%. Hubby loved it!

  5. deb J September 23, 2009

    In this recipe,it calls for "sweet milk"....does that mean eagle brand condensed sweet milk?

    • CDKitchen Staff Reply:

      Sweet milk is a way that was used to describe what we now refer to as whole milk. It's an "old fashioned" term to go with an "old fashioned" recipe

  6. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    December 8, 2008

    This recipe is great! I added dried cranberries, which worked well. I also halved the recipe (so easy to do with the portion calculator) which made at LEAST 5 generous servings. Very easy to prepare.

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Old Fashioned Johnny Cake Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

Why are my Johnny Cakes hard? ›

Flour can toughen the Johnny Cake. Your goal is to get the dough to completely come together without adding too much flour to make the Johnny Cakes tough. You want a light and fluffy outcome.

What's the difference between cornbread and johnny cake? ›

A Johnny cake recipe makes a thinner batter that is fried into rounds, essentially making cornmeal pancakes. Cornbread is made with baking soda or baking powder to give it a bread-like lift and texture and is oven-baked in a baking dish and cut into squares for serving.

What's the difference between pancakes and Johnny Cakes? ›

Pancakes Are Typically Made With Sugar

In terms of ingredients, pancakes typically contain flour and sugar, resulting in a light and fluffy texture with a slightly sweet flavor. Johnny cakes, on the other hand, are made from cornmeal and water, giving them a hearty texture and a distinct corn flavor.

What is a Johnny Cake and do people still eat it? ›

The modern johnnycake is a staple in the traditional cuisine of New England, where it is believed to have originated in Rhode Island. A modern jonnycake is fried gruel made from yellow or white cornmeal that is mixed with salt and hot water or milk, and sometimes sweetened.

How can I make my cakes firmer? ›

You can try any of the following: adding a 1 oz. package of pudding (any flavor that complements the cake's flavor profile), adding 1-2 egg yolks (along with the eggs called for on the box), or substituting milk for the water called for on the box.

What is Johnnycake called today? ›

The name hoe cakes seems to be more straightforward. The term hoe is an old term for a griddle, so substituting one word for another, you get griddle cakes, and a perfect description for just what they are.

What is another name for Johnny Cakes? ›

Some say the name hoe cake is a reference to cooking the cakes on the blades of a garden hoe; others believe it's because the griddle used to cook the cakes was called a “hoe.” Regionally, this bread is known by many names: ashcake, jonny cake, journey cake, Shawnee cake, and jonakin.

What is a synonym for Johnny Cake? ›

battercake flapcake griddlecake hotcake. Weak match. flannel cake. johnnycake (noun as in pancake)

What is Elvis Presley cake? ›

An Elvis Presley cake is a single-layer classic yellow cake that's topped with a pineapple glaze. Much like a poke cake, the syrup and juices of the pineapple will seep into the cake through fork holes, resulting in a decadent, ultra-moist cake.

What do southerners call pancakes? ›

In the South, pancakes are interchangeably called hotcakes, griddlecakes, and flapjacks, though British flapjacks are made with rolled oats cooked in the oven. In the U.S., pancakes are made with flour, eggs, butter, and milk, and cooked on a griddle or frying pan to form leavened flat cakes.

Why is it called a dump cake? ›

A dump cake is an American dessert similar to a cobbler but with a cake-like topping. It is so named because it is prepared by "dumping" ingredients (typically canned fruit or pie filling, followed by a boxed cake mix) into a cake pan without mixing.

What happened to johnny cakes? ›

Actor and former firefighter John Costelloe, better known as "Johnny Cakes" on the HBO drama "The Sopranos," died on December 18th in an apparent suicide. Costelloe's death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Why do they call Johnny Johnny cake? ›

Some say the word is a mutation of ''Shawnee cake,'' named after that tribe. Others contend it derives from ''journeycake,'' an English term applied because the durable cornmeal cakes were carried in saddlebags and on ships during long trips.

What is the full name of johnny cakes? ›

Jonny Manganello (@thejonnycakes) • Instagram photos and videos.

Why does my cake become hard? ›

you over cooked it. the cakes become dense, rubbery, and dry. the most common mistake made is the over mixing. After three days your homemade cake is gonna become hard when you're leaving it out.

How do I stop my cake from hardening? ›

This can be avoided by setting the right temperature. Cake becomes hard when the temperature set is incorrect or less. Try baking a cake between 180 degrees to 220 degrees, depending on the type of cake and if it still happens, then you should reduce the quantity of the batter.

How do I soften a hard cake? ›

Simply soak your cake in milk for 30 minutes to an hour. The milk will help to rehydrate the cake, making it moist and delicious. Just be sure to brush off any excess milk before serving. And that's all there is to it!

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