Deluxe Johnny Cake

Johnny cake goes tropical and trades the oven for a slow cooker.

This version takes the classic cornmeal-and-buttermilk base and stirs in shredded carrots and crushed pineapple for moisture and natural sweetness that bakes right into the crumb.

The slow cooker does all the work. Grease the baking pan insert, pour in the batter, cover, and let it cook on high for 2 to 3 hours.

What comes out is a golden, steamy cake with a tender texture somewhere between cornbread and carrot cake.

Kitchen Tips

• Drain the crushed pineapple well before adding it to the batter. Too much liquid throws off the texture
• Don’t lift the lid during the first hour. The trapped steam is doing the heavy lifting
• Check for doneness with a toothpick at the 2-hour mark. Every slow cooker runs a little different

Variations

• Fold in a handful of raisins or chopped pecans for extra texture
• Top with cream cheese frosting for a carrot cake twist
• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for warm spice