Johnnycakes are thought to be the original pancakes. Last year, I made Johnnycakes for my son to bring on a field trip to a historic one-room schoolhouse, wrapped in his old-fashioned lunch basket with a potato! (his request… I am sure something else was in there but it was not as memorable!) They are delicious cornmeal pancakes served with butter and honey. I love cornmeal pancakes served with syrup as well.
When I read about this bread version of Johnnycakes from Bon Appetit on First Look then Cook, I wanted to make it right away. Her description was wonderful, and we ate it as suggested- warm with butter. My kids and I loved it! A great change of pace for breakfast. It would also be a delicious snack with a cup of tea or a glass of milk.
- ¼ cup vegetable oil, plus more for pans (cooking spray can be substituted for the pans)
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (I used half and half)
- ¼ cup molasses (light molasses could also be used, or 2 T molasses and 2 T honey)
- 1-2 tablespoons maple sugar or turbinado sugar
- Heat oven to 325°. Lightly oil (I used cooking spray) three 5×2½” loaf pans (or one 8½x4½” loaf pan).
- Whisk flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, molasses, and ¼ cup oil, and whisk to incorporate.
- Divide equally between pans. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake breads until golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 minutes for small loaves (on convection) (or approximately 50–55 minutes for one large loaf). Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool 10 minutes before turning out.
- Serve warm out of the oven, or toasted if at room temperature, with butter.
Do Ahead: Breads can be made 1 day ahead. Store wrapped tightly at room temperature.
One Year Ago:
thebrookcook 
I’ve never had Johnnycakes! Can you believe that? Terrible, I know. But anything served warm with butter and honey is right up my alley! Your bread version of this looks so tasty, Josette!
I would describe this more as a molasses-cornbread actually. Johnnycakes (which I want to make again now!) are small pancakes made with cornmeal cooked in and topped with butter. This recipe probably has molasses in lieu of a honey topping. I am a syrup fan myself! 🙂 This bread was great!
Hadn’t heard of Johnnycakes! Thanks, Josette, These little guys look lovely 🙂
Thanks 🙂
What a lovely and unusual recipe – thanks for sharing – I think they would be rather nice with a bit of fruit compote too – yum!!
I used regular molasses and the flavor is predominant. The original recipe called for light molasses- that may be better with fruit compote! 🙂
Yes – that makes sense…
Love Johhnycakes…but in a bread? Genius 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe Josette!
I was so happy when I saw the post of the bread version- I really liked it too!
I’ve never had Johnnycakes either, they look delicious! 🙂
Thank you! All this talk about Johnnycakes makes me want to make the pancake version now…. super tasty 🙂
I’ve never heard of johnnycakes! But I’m glad I have now! These look delicious!
Thanks! If you are not a huge molasses fan- light molasses could be substituted. possibly even 1/2 honey? so tasty! 🙂
I love the idea of them in loaf form. Pinning this for sure.
I liked the mini loaves too– a much faster school-day meal vs. pancakes.
These cakes look lovely- bet the molasses flavour was amazing!
I really liked it! I used to make my daughter oat bran hot cereal sweetened with molasses every morning- for years!- it reminded me of that. She liked this bread too 🙂
These are totally new to me. I would love to try this!
It was a really nice change of pace for breakfast- very molasses-y 🙂 Try it!
Reblogged this on Ideas by Katherine.
I’m going to try this 🙂
It HAS to be eaten warm with butter 🙂 Enjoy!
Wow, molasses in cornmeal,- I can’t wait to try this!
Try it! I added a couple of adaptations to reduce the predominant molasses flavor if it would be too overpowering for some… I loved it as is! 🙂
You got me really curious 🙂 It looks like a loaf but tastes like pancake??? Gotta try it this afternoon!
It has the same flavors as the pancakes… It tastes like breakfast bread.. muffin.. snack cake 🙂