Rather than fry the corn cakes then bake them, can you just bake them? I want to make these for my mom but she's very strange about anything fr...

Sorry, that was me answering -- was signed in as one of our photographers!

I don't see why not -- they won't get as crisp though. I'd heat the oven to 400 with the pan in the oven. Add enough oil or butter to coat the pan, then add the corn cakes. Bake until browned on the bottom, then flip and brown on the other side.