A sweet version of cornbread, this cake has a crumbly texture and is excellent served warm with butter, topped with maple syrup.
My mother found this recipe years ago in The Lighthouse Cookbook. The recipe, called Golden Breakfast Corn Cake may not be typical Johnny Cake but it’s what we always call this particular dessert. According to Wikipedia, Johnny Cakes are actually more like pancakes which might explain why they’re so good with maple syrup.
Jump to Recipe
This recipe is basically cornbread with a little more sugar. In the south, I find most cornbread is too sweet for my taste. Because it often tastes more like cake. I prefer my cornbread to be savoury. That’s why I love Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread. But sweet cornbread? That’s Johnny Cake to me, which I love. As a dessert, not with my meal.
Don’t expect this cake to be delicate and tender. It has more of a crumb texture and can even seem a bit dry. But that’s ok because it’s served drizzled with maple syrup. And when I say drizzled, I mean smothered. And a little butter doesn’t hurt either.
I know real maple syrup is expensive. It’s literally liquid gold if you ask me. But a lot of time and effort goes into making it. So if you usually buy the “fake” maple syrup, try some of the real stuff. Yes, it’s thinner than the fake stuff but it will soak into the cake better! Win win.
If you try Johnny Cake, consider leaving a rating or comment below. Here’s the recipe:
Johnny Cake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and ensure rack is set to middle position.
- Combine corn meal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in large mixing bowl.
- Whisk together milk, eggs and oil. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in milk mixture. Stir to combine completely.
- Pour batter into a well greased 9 inch round cake pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a test toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve warm with butter and drizzle with real maple syrup.
Notes
Nutrition
more maple syrup recipes
Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese and Green Pear-yes, there’s maple in the dressing!
That looks good!
Thanks!
Anything with maple syrup is going to be yummy!
Right?
We made these today and they taste awesome in a greased muffin pan .
Thanks !! Vic
Oh awesome, great to know they work in muffin pans! Thanks for the helpful comment!