Description
Southern-style Grandma’s Famous Hoecakes blend cornmeal heritage with rustic charm. Crispy edges and golden centers invite home cooks to savor generations of culinary tradition.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) cornmeal (stone-ground)
- ¾ cup (180 ml / 6 fl oz) buttermilk (plus more if needed)
- 1 lg egg, beaten
- ¼ cup (30 g / 1 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) vegetable oil or bacon grease (for cooking)
Instructions
- Dry Mixture Preparation: Thoroughly blend cornmeal, flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Wet Ingredient Integration: Vigorously whisk egg and buttermilk together until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Batter Formation: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry components, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing. Adjust batter thickness with additional buttermilk if needed, aiming for a pourable yet substantial texture.
- Cooking Surface Preparation: Heat cast-iron skillet or griddle to medium temperature while letting batter rest for 5-7 minutes. Generously coat surface with oil or bacon grease to prevent sticking and enhance flavor profile.
- Hoecake Cooking Process: Carefully ladle batter onto hot surface, creating circular shapes. Cook until small bubbles emerge and edges set (2-3 minutes), then confidently flip using a wide spatula. Continue cooking until achieving a rich golden-brown coloration on both sides.
- Serving Recommendation: Transfer hoecakes immediately to serving plate while warm. Accompany with butter, honey, or syrup, or pair with savory dishes like hearty stews or braised greens for a versatile culinary experience.
Notes
Manage Batter Consistency: Keep batter slightly thick but pourable; add buttermilk gradually to achieve perfect texture without becoming runny.
Preheat Skillet Properly: Ensure cast-iron skillet is evenly heated at medium temperature to prevent uneven cooking and burnt edges.
Control Cooking Time: Watch for small bubbles and set edges as key indicators of perfect flipping moment; typically 2-3 minutes per side ensures golden-brown color without burning.
Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with bacon grease for deeper taste or swap buttermilk with plant-based alternatives for dietary adaptations like dairy-free or vegan options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg