What is the origin of Johnny Cakes ?

History: The origin of the name is something of a mystery and probably has nothing to do the name John. They also were called Journey Cakes because they could be carried on long trips in the traveler’s saddlebags and baked along the way.

There is some thought that they were originally called Shawnee Cake and the colonist slurred the words into Johnny Cake. Modern historians have also found that the word joniken, an American Indian word meaning corn cake could possible be the origin of the name.

The settlers of New England learned how to make Johnny Cakes from the local Putexet Indians, who showed the starving Pilgrims how to grind and use corn for eating.

Cornbread, also known as hoecake, ashcake, spidercake, or johnnycake was a staple of any traveler during this period, since cornbread didn't spoil as easily as other breads. Topped with molasses, it gave cooks the idea for Indian pudding, still a favorite in New England.

source: cornbread