Hoe Cake Recipe

A stack of golden brown hoe cakes topped with a pat of butter and drizzled with maple syrup, served on a white plate. The texture of the cakes is light and fluffy, with syrup pooling around the base.

5 from 1 vote

Southern hoe cakes are crispy, golden cornmeal flatbreads with a tender center and slightly sweet taste. These simple yet satisfying cakes can be served sweet with maple syrup for breakfast or savory alongside your favorite Southern dishes. Ready in minutes using basic pantry ingredients, they're a delicious piece of Southern cooking tradition.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings: 13 hoe cakes

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 180

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

2 cups self-rising cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups buttermilk
½ cup hot water
¼ cup vegetable oil plus more for frying
1 large egg

Equipment

Large mixing bowls
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Cast-iron skillet or griddle
Spatula
Paper towels

Method

Mix dry ingredients:

Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.

Combine wet ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot water, and egg.

Make batter:

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients
Add ¼ cup oil
Stir until smooth
Let rest 10-15 minutes

Cook:

Heat oil in cast-iron skillet over medium heat
Drop ¼ cup batter per cake
Cook 3-4 minutes until golden brown
Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 119mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 45IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.8mg

Notes

Batter should be slightly thicker than pancake batter
Test oil temperature with a small drop of batter - it should sizzle
Keep cooked hoe cakes warm in 200°F oven while making remaining batches

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