Johnny Cake Receipt (Recipe)

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     The staple crop on most 19th Century farms was corn which was taken to the local grist mill and ground into corn meal.  It was then cooked and baked into a variety of daily foods including Johnny cake - sometimes called Journey Cake as it was taken along when traveling.  Recipes or "receipts" as they were called, varied according to available ingredients with the simplest ones consisting of little more than cornmeal and water.  Wheat flour was often a luxury as many farmers who grew it used it for a cash crop. Molasses and sugar is added to this receipt, but were not always available.  The following receipt is a popular one with school children visiting the Five Mile House and Lincoln Log Cabin.

INGREDIENTS:

11 cups of corn meal

2 cups of flour

6 tsp. of baking powder

1 tsp of salt

1 cup of shortening

1 cup of brown sugar

4 eggs

3 cup of molasses

2 cups of milk

     Combine corn meal, flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together the shortening and brown sugar. Beat eggs enough to mix yokes and whites, add to shortening-brown sugar, and mix well.  Add molasses and milk and mix until blended well. Pour mixed liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well.

     Pour batter into a greased 12-inch Dutch oven.  Cover and set on a medium bed of hot coals.  Put a generous amount of hot coals on the lid.  Depending on the quanlity of the coals, bake for 10-40 minutes. Check about every 10 minutes for doneness by inserting a piece of broom corn into the center.  Another rule of thumb is when you can smell it, it is done.

Note:  At home, pour batter into a greased 9x12 baking pan.  Bake in a moderate oven at about 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.