Old-Fashioned Pone Bread
This Old-Fashioned Pone Bread, also known by many as a hoe cake, is a treasured Southern recipe passed down through generations. Unlike classic cornmeal hoe cakes, this version is made with simple biscuit ingredients, forming one large, tender, rustic bread that’s baked until golden brown. It’s comfort food at its finest simple, hearty, and full of nostalgia.
Often made from extra biscuit or dumpling dough, pone bread was a staple in many Southern kitchens, especially when cooking chicken and dumplings or country meals. No measuring cups required just a little “Kentucky windage” and a lot of love.
Ingredients:
2 cups self-rising flour (Martha White recommended)
1 cup buttermilk (add more if needed)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (Wesson oil or similar)
Butter or bacon grease (for greasing the pan)
Melted butter (for brushing on top)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix the self-rising flour, oil, and buttermilk to form a soft, wet biscuit dough. Add a little more flour or milk as needed for the right consistency.
Grease a cast-iron skillet or flat baking pan generously with butter or bacon grease.
Pat the dough into the skillet, shaping it into a flat, round circle.
Brush the top with melted butter for extra flavor and a golden crust.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pone bread is golden brown and cooked through.
Slice and serve warm with butter, honey, or alongside your favorite Southern meal.
Benefits of Pone Bread:
Budget-friendly Made with pantry staples
Easy & no-fuss No measuring perfection required
Versatile Great with soups, stews, chicken & dumplings
Comfort food classic Soft inside, crispy edges
Family-favorite A recipe that brings generations together
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Discover the secret to Old-Fashioned Pone Bread, a Southern hoe cake made from biscuit dough, baked golden in a cast-iron skillet. Easy, comforting, and perfect with chicken & dumplings!
