If you grew up around Southern cooking, you may already know the magic of a good hoe cake. They’re rustic, golden, crisp around the edges, and tender in the middle, with that unmistakable flavor of cornmeal.
Southern hoe cakes are sometimes described as a cross between cornbread and pancakes, and that’s a pretty good way to picture them. The batter is simple, but when it hits a hot skillet, something wonderful happens: the outside develops a lightly crisp crust while the inside stays soft and hearty.
They’re delicious served hot with butter, but don’t stop there. Hoe cakes can accompany greens, beans, fried chicken, barbecue, soups, or just about any meal that could use a little Southern comfort.
What Are Southern Hoe Cakes?
Hoe cakes are a traditional Southern cornmeal-based dish made by cooking a simple batter on a hot griddle or skillet.
Recipes vary from kitchen to kitchen. Some versions are made almost entirely with cornmeal, while others include flour. Some use milk or buttermilk, while others rely on hot water. The consistency can range from thin and pancake-like to thicker and more like a small piece of cornbread.
This version keeps things simple and gives you a tender center with beautifully browned edges.
Ingredients
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons melted butter
2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil, for cooking
Ingredient Notes
