The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (2024)

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Nothing compares to the taste of freshly-baked, homemade cornbread.

If you’re looking for an easy way to make this classic comfort food at home, look no further!

Whether you enjoy it as a side dish for dinner or use it to make your favorite stuffing recipe, there’s nothing quite like the flavor of made-from-scratch cornbread.

Making cornbread from scratch is so easy!

You can make this cornbread recipe in a cast iron skillet for added flavor and texture or in a baking dish.

So grab your ingredients and let’s get baking!

The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (1)

Homemade Cornbread

I’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to bake up a delicious batch of homemade cornbread that will have everyone asking for seconds.

It is sweet, but not overly sweet, soft and cake-like without being too dense or crumbly.

This cornbread recipe is the best because it is homemade.

It has a great flavor and texture that you can’t get from store-bought cornbread.

This hearty cornbread side dish takes less than 30 minutes to make

This cornbread recipe is perfect for quick family dinners or weekday meals!

It takes just a few minutes to prepare and only around 20-25 minutes to bake.

The end result is a delicious, moist, and flavorful cornbread that pairs perfectly with chili, soups, roasts, or any other savory meal.

The best part is you know exactly what ingredients are going into your cornbread when you make it from scratch — no artificial preservatives required!

The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (2)

Ingredients for the BEST Cornbread

  • All purpose flour
  • Yellow cornmeal
  • Buttermilk
  • Egg
  • Butter
  • Baking powder
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt

How to Make Cornbread

This step by step guide to cornbread will show you exactly how to make the most delicious, fluffy and golden-brown cornbread.

  • Start by greasing a 9×9 inch baking pan or cast iron skillet with butter, and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190° C).
  • In a large bowl, combine all purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix until everything is combined.
The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (3)
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg until everything is blended. Add 4 tablespoons melted butter to the mixture.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is just combined. Do not overmix, as this will cause a tough cornbread.
  • Pour the batter into your greased baking pan or cast iron skillet and spread it evenly with a spatula.
The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (4)
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.
  • Let cool before slicing and serve warm with butter.
The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (5)

For a larger batch, double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13 inch pan for about 30 minutes.

If you like your cornbread extra sweet, add an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Now that you know how to make cornbread and all the tips and tricks below, you’re ready to impress your family and friends with this classic side dish.

Just follow this step by step guide to cornbread and you’ll be sure to make the perfect batch every time.

No matter how you make it, this cornbread recipe is sure to be a hit!

The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (6)

Cornbread FAQS

How to make cornbread moist

To ensure that your cornbread is moist and delicious, there are a few tricks to keep in mind while baking.

First, always use buttermilk or yogurt instead of regular milk as it provides a richer flavor and more tender texture.

Second, make sure you don’t overmix the batter as this will cause a dense and dry cornbread. Finally, add an extra tablespoon of melted butter for added moisture.

What goes with cornbread

If you are looking for what to eat with cornbread, I would share my favorite dishes I like to serve with cornbread.

My favorite side dish to pair with cornbread is chili. Nothing beats a comforting bowl of chili and warm, buttery cornbread on the side.

I also like to serve grilled meats and barbecue with cornbread.

Pulled pork sandwiches topped with coleslaw and a side of cornbread is always a hit!

For something on the lighter side, I like to serve up salads with cornbread. A basic garden salad goes great with this classic comfort food.

The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (7)

How to store cornbread

Once you’ve made a delicious batch of cornbread, you’ll want to make sure it stays fresh and flavorful for as long as possible. Luckily, cornbread is incredibly easy to store!

How to store

Room Temperature: Allow your cornbread to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation from forming. Once cooled, wrap the cornbread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.

Cornbread will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: You can also store cornbread in the refrigerator. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and it will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Freezer: If you’d like to freeze your cornbread, make sure to allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly with a layer of aluminum foil followed by a layer of plastic wrap.

Frozen cornbread will stay fresh for up to 3 months.

How to reheat

Microwave: To reheat cornbread, remove the plastic wrap and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave in intervals of 10-15 seconds until warm.

Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175° C) and wrap cornbread tightly in foil. Place the cornbread on a baking sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes or until heated through.

Enjoy your delicious homemade cornbread!

Easy Dinner Recipes To Serve Your Cornbread With:

  • The Best Chili Recipe
  • Mexican Cornbread Casserole
  • Easy Chili Mac
  • 25 Crockpot Soups and Stews
  • 50 Hearty Soup Recipes
The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (8)

Yield: 8-10 servings

The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nothing compares to the taste of freshly-baked, homemade cornbread. Making cornbread from scratch is so easy this step by step guide! This cornbread recipe is sweet, but not overly sweet, soft and cake-like without being too dense or crumbly.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190° C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan or cast iron skillet with butter and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the all purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix until everything is combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg until everything is blended. Add 4 tablespoons melted butter to the mixture. The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (9)
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is just combined. Do not overmix, as this will cause a tough cornbread.
  5. Pour the batter into the greased baking pan or cast iron skillet and spread it evenly with a spatula. The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (10)
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.
  7. Let cool before slicing and serve warm with butter. The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (11)

Notes

  • For a larger batch, double the ingredients and bake in a 9x13 inch pan for about 30 minutes.
  • Add an extra tablespoon of sugar if you like your cornbread extra sweet.
  • Always use buttermilk or yogurt instead of regular milk as it provides a richer flavor and more tender texture.
  • Make sure you don't overmix the batter as this will cause a dense and dry cornbread.
  • For added moisture, add an extra tablespoon of melted butter to the batter before baking.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 187Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 32mgSodium 298mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 1gSugar 11gProtein 4g

The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the best cornbread? ›

Here are Mindy's five secrets:
  1. Begin with the right cornmeal, which for Southerners is usually white. ...
  2. Use full fat buttermilk and lots of it. ...
  3. No egg and no sugar. ...
  4. Use the right ratio of batter to the skillet. ...
  5. Cook with a seasoned, 12-inch cast iron skillet.
Jul 23, 2021

Is it better to use butter or oil in cornbread? ›

Butter adds flavor and color, while oil keeps the crumb tender and moist. Brown Sugar: We add some sugar to our cornbread and prefer to use brown sugar. The flavor combination of cornmeal and brown sugar works well. If you only have white sugar, that's okay.

What kind of cornmeal is best for cornbread? ›

As for the best cornmeal for cornbread, either fine- or medium-grind cornmeal is a great choice. Medium-grind cornmeal will bring slightly more texture and grittiness to the batter, which you may or may not want (it's up to you!). You can use fine or medium cornmeal in these extra corny muffins.

What does adding an extra egg to cornbread do? ›

The yolk will make the texture more dense and smooth, a bit brownie-like, while the fact that your original batter was too thick means that the additional liquid will help the baking powder achieve better leavening, giving you an airier texture.

What's the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread? ›

Northern cornbreads tend to be more cake-like, on the sweet side, with a finer crumb due to more flour in the mixture. Southern cornbread is flavored with bacon grease, and cooked in a cast iron skillet, a perfect side for barbecues, or chili. It also tends to be rather crumbly.

Should cornbread batter be thick or thin? ›

The consistency of the batter should be a bit like pancake batter—a little on the thin side. Thick batter can result in dry texture and cornbread that crumbles easily after baking. If you feel your batter is too thick, simply add a splash of extra milk.

Should you let cornbread batter rest before baking? ›

Cornbread Best Practices:
  1. LET the batter sit for 15-20 minutes before baking. ...
  2. BE gentle!! ...
  3. START preheating your oven as soon as you set aside the batter to rise, by the time it's preheated, your batter should be ready to go in.
  4. HEAT your skillet. ...
  5. SUBSTITUTE regular salt for this amazing Smoked Salt.
Jul 7, 2019

How do you keep cornbread from being dense? ›

  1. 1Put in an extra egg yolk. ...
  2. 2Cut back on fat or grease by one third. ...
  3. 3Replace white sugar with a moist sweetener. ...
  4. 4Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) more butter or oil. ...
  5. 5Replace milk or water with creamed corn. ...
  6. 6Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sour cream.
Jul 2, 2022

How do you keep cornbread moist? ›

Add in some oil

Adding in oil will help to keep the cornbread moist as well. The extra oil and fat help to keep the cornbread hydrated while it is cooking, therefore, giving an extra moist cornbread when it is done.

What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

Southern cornbread has traditionally been made with little or no sugar and smaller amounts of flour (or no flour), with northern cornbread being sweeter and more cake-like. Southern cornbread traditionally used white cornmeal and buttermilk. Other ingredients such as pork rinds are sometimes used.

Should you soak cornmeal before making cornbread? ›

Soaking the cornmeal in buttermilk for a few hours, or even overnight, tenderizes the large grains of cornmeal, making the bread more moist and tender. This step is optional, however, and the bread is still delicious without the soaking step.

Which cornbread mix is not sweet? ›

Martha White Cotton Country Cornbread

It's flavor is classic, without sweetness or too much saltiness, but it's a white cornbread. Don't expect it to turn golden yellow the way other cornbreads might.

What happens if I use 1 egg instead of 2? ›

Using too few eggs will make your desserts dense, but using too many will make them rubbery. The explanation for this lies in the fact that eggs are made up of protein. As Fine Cooking explains, when the protein in eggs combines with the protein in flour, they produce the overall structure of the baked good.

What makes cornbread rise more? ›

What does baking soda do for cornbread? - Quora. It makes the batter rise a bit so your cornbread will be light and a little fluffy. If you omit some sort of leavening agent, and baking soda is just one kind, your finished cornbread after baking will be about an inch high, and shall we say, pretty dense.

Can you over mix cornbread? ›

Pour batter into prepared pan. The batter will be lumpy. Overcome the urge to mix until smooth. Overmixing can cause the corn bread to peak and have tunnels, resulting in a tough texture.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

I want to keep the cornbread taste, just less crumbly! I recommend extra egg yolk, adding corn, and using cast iron to bake. Also, try a little lower temperature.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

Sugar in the cornbread interferes with the flavor of the vegetables. Don't put sugar in your cornbread! Traditional cornbread isn't sweet, but many favorite recipes have sugar in them.

What can you add to cornbread for flavor? ›

10 Mix-Ins for Classic Cornbread
  • Bacon and scallion. ...
  • Green chile and cheddar cheese. ...
  • Crumbled sausage and poultry seasoning. ...
  • Fresh corn and basil. ...
  • Pepperoni, parmesan, and black pepper. ...
  • Spicy shrimp and creole seasoning. ...
  • Brown sugar and pecan. ...
  • Cranberry and maple syrup.

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