Vegan Cornbread or Johnny Cake

Last Updated on April 24, 2024

A Vegan Cornbread or Johnny Cake is a favorite in our family.

I remember my mom making this for breakfast when I was growing up, she always called it johnny cake.

But cornbread or johnny cake doesn’t have to be just for breakfast, it can also be a great side to your favorite soup or chili!

I have always made my cornbread in a baking dish as a cake, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t make this as a pancake or even a muffin.

What are the best ways to serve a cornbread or johnny cake?

Cut the warm piece of cake in half, butter it, smear on a homemade jelly or jam, and drizzle the cornbread with real maple syrup, YUMMY!!

And because this recipe is so simple and easy to modify, I will post the original ingredients with the vegan alternative in the recipe card.

Ingredients for the cornbread

• Flour – I used a all purpose flour for the cornbread.
• Cornmeal – What makes a cornbread a cornbread is the cornmeal. Cornmeal is a coarse flour ground from dried corn, it gives the cornbread it’s texture.
• Sugar – I used a small amount of cane sugar for the cornbread. Personally I like the cornbread not to be overly sweet.
• Oil – In the recipe I have used both olive oil and avocado oil, but any oil will work.
• Milk – In this recipe I used a unsweetened almond milk, any plant based or regular milk can be used, using the same measurements.
• Egg – I have made this cornbread with eggs and a egg substitute, such as a regular egg, apple sauce, and a powdered egg substitute. Each one works well.
• Baking Powder – Baking powder will lighten the texture of the cornbread.

How to make a Vegan Cornbread or Johnny Cake

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Next, grease a 8×9 glass baking dish, set aside.

Combine and blend all the ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.

Pour the batter into the greased 8×9 glass baking dish, and place into the oven.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cornbread is a golden brown.

When checking to see if the cornbread is done, poke a toothpick in the center of the cake.

If the toothpick comes out clean it is done, if not bake a little longer, checking every couple minutes.

Please note that when making this as a vegan cornbread, it may take a bit more time to bake, so check often.

Serve the Vegan Cornbread or Johnny Cake warm with fruit, jam, jelly, margarine, butter, and/or maple syrup.

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