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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Georgia Cornbread Cake AKA Pecan Cake

    Modified: Oct 15, 2020 · Published: Mar 24, 2019 by Sharon Rigsby · 25 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Georgia Cornmeal Cake Pinterest Pin

    Georgia Cornbread Cake is a funny name for this simple, quirky, old-fashioned cake, which is much more like a pecan cake or pecan coffee cake. Contrary to its name, Georgia Cornbread Cake doesn’t contain any cornmeal, and I don’t think it tastes or even looks like cornbread. But what I will say is, this easy cake is absolutely delicious! 

    A dollop of whipped cream on a piece of Georgia Cornbread Cake.

    My daughter shared this simple cake recipe with me, and I knew you would want it too! I made it a few days ago and watched my family devour it in less than an hour.

    Georgia Cornbread Cake, like my recipes for Dr Pepper Cake, Coffee Cake Cookies, and  Charleston Chewies, is perfect for an after-school snack for the kids, would go great with a cup of coffee or tea, and would also be a fun and easy dessert to take to a potluck or the beach.  

    I personally like this easy cake plain, but you could also serve it with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a dollop of whipped cream. But no matter how you serve it, your family will love its simplicity and taste!

    Here’s what’s in it:

    You will need the following ingredients: granulated and brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, pecans, self-rising flour, and vanilla extract. 

    Here’s how to make it:

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

    Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or spray with non-stick baking spray with flour.

    Add the sugars, eggs, vanilla, and vegetable oil to a large bowl and stir until combined. 

    Eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar and oil in a clear glass bowl.

    Add flour and pecans and stir until the batter is smooth.

    Chopping pecans in a food processor.

    Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. 

    Cake batter in a rectangle metal baking pan.

    Cut into squares and serve plain or with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream.

    Squares of Georgia Cornbread Cake on a cutting board.

    Sharon’s tips:

    I used a food processor to chop my pecans and it only took a few seconds. However, you can also just chop them up using a knife. 

    If you don’t have self-rising flour, simply add ½ teaspoon of salt and 2-¼ teaspoons of baking powder to all-purpose flour and mix well.

    Related recipes:

    If you are looking for holiday appetizer recipes, you should definitely check out my recipe for how to roast pecans.  It is quick and easy to make, and I always have a stash in my freezer for last-minute guests. 

    If you like simple desserts, you might also like these quick and easy recipes: Cranberry Cake with Hard Sauce, Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing, Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Southern Pecan Praline Cake, Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing, and Apple Dapple Cake with Caramel Glaze.

    Need more ideas, check out all of my Dessert Recipes here. And, if you like sheet cakes, you should definitely take a look at my roundup of 28 Incredible Sheet Cake Recipes to Make Now. 

    ★ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

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    A dollop of whipped cream on a piece of Georgia Cornbread Cake.

    Georgia Cornbread Cake Recipe

    Sharon Rigsby
    Georgia Cornbread Cake is a funny name for this simple, quirky, old-fashioned cake which is much more like a pecan cake or pecan coffee cake. Contrary to its name, Georgia Cornbread Cake doesn't contain any cornmeal, and I don't think it tastes or even looks like cornbread. 
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Southern
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 387 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 cup brown sugar packed
    • 4 large eggs beaten
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 1-½ cups self-rising flour
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups pecans chopped very fine

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Lightly grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, or spray with non-stick baking spray with flour.
    • Add the sugars, eggs, vanilla, and vegetable oil to a large bowl and stir until combined.
    • Add flour and pecans and stir until the batter is smooth.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
    • Cut into squares and serve plain or with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream.

    Notes

    I used a food processor to chop my pecans and it only took a few seconds. However, you can also just chop them up using a knife.
    If you don't have self-rising flour, simply add ½ teaspoon of salt and 2-¼ teaspoons of baking powder to all-purpose flour and mix well.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 133mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1.1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 20 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. TMP

      January 07, 2025 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      My new favorite go to quick bake. Came across this recipe this morning, just had to try it. My husband asked for a second piece and said this one isn’t going to last long. Fast, easy and delicious.

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        January 08, 2025 at 6:58 pm

        Excellent, I am so happy you enjoyed the cake.
        All the best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    2. Donna

      December 17, 2024 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve made this a few times now and it is so good! It tastes so much like a dessert my aunt used to make called chew bread so it brings back childhood memories.

      Reply
    3. Hazel

      December 13, 2024 at 5:36 pm

      I had this cake for the very first time this past Thanksgiving it was absolutely awesome but the lady that made the cake it was much higher cake and she put a cream cheese frosting. It reminded me a lot of carrot cake and this was a 9 x 13 cake. so I’m guessing that maybe she made two 9 x 13 and just put them on top of one another and there were some cream cheese frosting in between but you say nothing about cream cheese frosting you say just with the whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream I guess it doesn’t matter what you put on it was so yummy lol thank you thank you for the recipe. I’m going to make it but I’m first going to try it on my Bible study group and if they love it then I’ll make it for Christmas. Thank you Yum Yum.

      Reply
    4. Angie Cline

      September 30, 2024 at 6:33 pm

      When do you add the vanilla extract?

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        September 30, 2024 at 6:59 pm

        Hi Angi, in step 3, “Add the sugars, eggs, vanilla, and vegetable oil to a large bowl and stir until combined.” I hope you enjoy it!
        Sharon

        Reply
        • Tina

          November 24, 2024 at 10:48 pm

          I have made this cake for years. I got the recipe from my Mom. We always make it in a cast iron skillet so it looks like cornbread when you dump it.

        • Sharon Rigsby

          November 25, 2024 at 3:25 pm

          5 stars
          Hi Tina, it is an old-fashioned cake that has been around for decades. I don’t know why I have never considered baking it in my cast iron pan. That’s a great idea!
          All the best,
          Sharon

    5. Lisa

      September 14, 2024 at 12:21 pm

      Mine came out more like a cake in stead of the gooey type. What did I do wrong? help please

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        September 20, 2024 at 5:32 am

        Hi Lisa, This recipe is a cake with a cake-like texture. If you are looking for a more gooey texture, you might like to try my Charleston Chewies (https://www.gritsandpinecones.com/charleston-chewies-with-brown-butter/). These luscious treats have a crisp exterior and a lovely, melt-in-your-mouth soft and chewy interior.
        All the best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    6. DeAnn

      July 04, 2023 at 2:15 pm

      do you chop the pecans beore you measure thme to 2 cups or measure 2 cups then chop them?

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        July 04, 2023 at 3:35 pm

        Hi DeeAnn, I chop them first, then measure, but honestly, this recipe is so forgiving, a few more or less pecans won’t make that much of a difference. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    7. Carla

      September 18, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      Made recipe different variations, added, fig jam, (had an over abundance of figs), had this cake with apple pie filling, all were delicious

      Reply
    8. Karen D.

      January 14, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this today, and WOW! Wonderful flavor and my family absolutely loved it. As my family is small, I used an 8” x 8” pan and just halved all of the ingredient amounts. This is definitely one to add to my recipe box. And yes, I’ll be making this again. Thank you so very much for sharing this one!

      Reply
    9. Suzanne

      October 10, 2021 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe reminded me of Italian Cream Cake, so I added a little almond extract to it, and topped with ermine frosting. 🥰🥰🥰 Delicious!

      Reply
    10. Holly

      May 26, 2020 at 10:44 pm

      5 stars
      My Mam-maw told me that this cake got its name because her grandmother made it in the same pan she made cornbread in! I like to press mine down with a spatula while it’s still hot – it makes the sugars caramelize and is more like a brownie than a cake.

      Reply
      • Ali

        March 04, 2023 at 8:11 pm

        5 stars
        The regular recipe is great, but NOW I’ve got to try your way, too!😂. Thanks for the tip!

        Reply
    11. Pam Bienias

      February 05, 2020 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this many times. I make a variation to this recipe. I use exact same ingredients, but was told to spray the bottoms of a iron skillet and “ sprinkle “ with cornmeal this is how it got its name “cornbread cake” delicious and the bottom will have a crust that I really enjoy and many do.

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        February 06, 2020 at 7:27 pm

        Hi Pam, thanks so much for the tip about spraying the bottom of the skillet and adding some cornbread. I’ll have to try that next time I make it! It does sound like it would be delicious!
        Thanks again,
        Sharon

        Reply
    12. Bertha Jones

      November 17, 2019 at 9:45 pm

      5 stars
      I Had Never Heard Of This, But While Visiting A Church Someone Had One And Said That It Was Good. I Only Eat Cornbread About Twice A Year But When You Say Pecan I’m Ready To Bake. Went Home And Tried It And Really Enjoyed It Even Though You Call It Cornbread I Just Call It A Nice Snack.

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        November 18, 2019 at 10:21 am

        Hi Bertha, I’m so glad you enjoyed this “snack” and thank you too for letting me know!
        All the best!
        Sharon

        Reply
      • Cindy Gray

        January 02, 2022 at 5:30 pm

        5 stars
        Looked this up
        when a woman on
        Hometown was serving it. Had it in the oven before the show was over! Sooo yummy and easy! Thanks for the recipe!

        Reply
        • Karisse

          March 01, 2022 at 10:16 pm

          5 stars
          Same! I’m watching the episode and came here for the same reason!! We are going to try it!

    13. Patricia Allmond

      October 08, 2019 at 10:55 pm

      I have made this cake many times. My aunt gave this recipe to me. It is WONDERFUL!!! So easy to make
      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    14. Linger

      March 25, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Hi Sharon! I’ve never heard of Georgie Cornbread Cake, but it sounds fantastic! Anything with pecans is a WIN in my estimation and anything from the South, well, is always good. So thanks again for sharing such great recipes.

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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