Hoecakes are a traditional American dish and the recipe most likely originated from Native Americans.

Recipes have varied throughout the centuries but have remained basically the same with being a flat cake made of cornmeal mush – with later variations using flour.

George Washington entertained quite frequently at his Mount Vernon estate. Many of President and Mrs Washington’s guests noted hoecakes and honey being a popular breakfast staple with George Washington preferring his hoe cakes “swimming in butter and honey.”

Hoe Cakes Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 eggs
2 1/2 Teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (we used cinnamon)
Butter or oil for frying

Directions

In a large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg (or cinnamon) and salt.

Make a well in the center, and pour in milk, water, egg, vanilla and melted butter. Thoroughly mix until pancake mixture is smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium high heat. Scoop about 2 tablespoons each of the batter onto the cast iron skillet or frying pan.

Fry each Hoe Cake until brown and crisp; turn with a spatula, and then brown the other side.

Remove and serve immediately with syrup and/or butter.