Georgia Cornbread Cake Recipe

By
Morgan Baker
Morgan Walker
Morgan Baker
Morgan is a recipe developer and photographer. She is also a gardener and exceptional hugger.
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Updated on 02/21/22
Tested by
Kiana Rollins
Kiana Rollins
Tested by Kiana Rollins
Kiana is a recipe tester with a background in Marketing in the food media world, who strongly believes that cocktails and great conversation are essential sides for any good meal.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Georgia Cornbread Cake slices on plates

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Cooling: 40 mins
Total: 100 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 12 pieces
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
471 Calories
31g Fat
45g Carbs
6g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 471
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 277mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 45g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 103mg 8%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 132mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This cake has a name that’s deceiving, as there is no actual cornmeal in the cake. Rather, it gets its name from the look. You can use a bowl and whisk to make this cake or lighten your load by using a hand mixer. Once baked, this sweet and nutty cake resembles cornbread but tastes quite different.

Try serving this cake warm, with a bit of whipped cream and a sprinkling of sugar, or drizzled with a bit of honey or maple syrup. Enjoy with coffee or hot chocolate during the cooler months or a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream during the summertime. 

Or see our tips section below on how to turn it into a delicious birthday or holiday celebration cake by making it into a layered cake.

"Georgia Cornbread Cake has just become my new favorite cake! This recipe comes together so easily and it is incredibly delicious, but it tastes even better topped with whipped cream". — Kiana Rollins

Georgia Cornbread Cake/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegetable oil, more for the dish

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • 2 cups self-rising flour

  • 1 3/4 cups finely chopped pecans

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Georgia Cornbread Cake ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 F. Generously grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil. 

    Greased baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and 1 cup of vegetable oil by hand or with an electric mixer until frothy, about 3 minutes.

    Egg and vegetable oil mixture in a bowl, next to a hand mixer

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Add the brown and granulated sugar and vanilla and whisk vigorously until the sugars are incorporated.

    Brown and granulated sugar and vanilla added to the egg mixture in the bowl, with a hand mixer

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Fold in the flour and pecans until the mixture is well combined. 

    Flour and pecans added to the egg mixture in a bowl with a spatula

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread evenly with a silicone spatula.

    Cake in a baking dish, with a spatula

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Bake until the center is crackly, the edges have browned slightly, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.

    Baked cake in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  8. Let cool to room temperature, about 40 minutes, before cutting into 12 equal squares and serving.

    Georgia Cornbread Cake slice on a plate

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Make It a Layered Cake

You could also turn this cake into a layered cake by dividing the batter between two 8-inch round cake pans. Bake time will remain the same, but check the cake at 25 minutes to be sure it’s not going to be overdone.

Try making a cream cheese frosting to add between the layers and to frost the outside and adorn the sides with chopped pecans. This would make a delicious birthday or holiday celebration cake.

How to Store

Store the cake in an airtight container on the countertop for up to a week. A quick 5-seconds in the microwave will bring this cake back to life after being on the counter for days.