This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (2024)

By

Danilo Alfaro

This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (1)

Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.

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Updated on 02/15/24

Tested by

Diana Rattray

This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (2)

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

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Cornbread is easy enough to make and appreciate for its simplicity, as it's comprised of basic ingredients such as cornmeal, flour, eggs, butter, sugar, and milk. However, you can also think of it as a template you can customize to your tastes by adding and subtracting ingredients that pair well with corn.

But one of the easiest ways to jazz up a basic cornbread is by adding sweet corn, which creates more layers of that sweet and sunny flavor.

Fresh corn is always best if it's in season, cut straight off the cob, but frozen is nearly as good. Just let the corn thaw and then drain it completely, patting dry if needed. Canned corn also works in a pinch, too, as long as you drain it thoroughly before mixing it into the batter.

This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (3)

what you'll need to make this cornbread recipe

"One cup of sifted flour weighs 4 ounces, and the cornbread was perfect with that amount and the 1 cup of cornmeal. I made it twice—once with 1/2 cup of sugar and again with 1/4 cup of sugar. Both were very good. I used thawed frozen corn. It was a quick, easy preparation." —Diana Rattray

This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (7)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup half-and-half

  • 2 eggs, beaten

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (or shortening), melted, plus extra for greasing the dish

  • 1/2 cup sugar, optional if you prefer unsweetened cornbread

  • 1 cup sweet corn (fresh, thawed, or canned, drained well)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (8)

  2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Thoroughly grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish.

    This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (9)

  3. Sift together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt.

    This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (10)

  4. Combine the half-and-half, eggs, butter (or shortening), and sugar (if using).

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  5. Add half-and-half mixture to the flour mixture and combine just until the flour is moistened, no more than 10 to 15 seconds. Then fold in the corn, but don't overmix the batter or your cornbread will be too tough.

    This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (12)

  6. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and bake the cornbread immediately.

    This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (13)

  7. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean and the edge of the cornbread starts to separate from the baking dish. Cut into slices or squares. Serve and enjoy.

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Tips

  • You can mix up the dry ingredients and the liquid ingredients and hold them separately for a few hours. But once you've combined the dry with the wet, it's best to get the batter in the baking dish and bake as soon as possible.
  • When greasing your baking dish, don't do it too early in the process, or the shortening can melt and pool at the bottom of the dish.
  • You don't need to flour the baking dish. Using butter, shortening, or plain cooking spray is sufficient.

Recipe Variations

  • To add a bit of zest to your cornbread, stir in one or two finely diced fresh green chiles (such as Anaheim or poblano) or about 1/4 cup of canned diced green chiles.
  • You can also use melted bacon fat in place of some or all of the butter. For that matter, crumbled bacon would also be a welcome addition to this recipe.
  • If you want to make muffins instead of cornbread in a baking dish, they'll cook more quickly, so start checking them after 18 minutes or so. When the edges pull away and a toothpick comes out dry, they're done.
  • If you're following a low-carb diet, this keto cornbread recipe will work for you.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Store homemade cornbread in an airtight container or zip-close bag at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to one week.
  • To freeze cornbread, wrap it with foil or freezer wrap. For best quality, freeze cornbread for up to three months.

What Is the Difference Between Stone-Ground and Regular Cornmeal?

Stone-ground cornmeal is ground between moving stones, which means the final meal contains some of the hull and germ. It is coarser than most packaged cornmeal you find in the supermarket. Regular cornmeal may be stored in a dark, cool place, but stone-ground should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to three months. Freeze cornmeal in an airtight container for longer storage.

What Can I Substitute for Milk in Cornbread?

If you don't have any dairy—milk or half-and-half—here are some options. The texture and taste may be slightly different from what you are accustomed to, but as long as the ingredient has some fat and some liquid, it can work. Use the same amount of these liquids as you would the milk.

  • Water and 1 1/2 tablespoons extra butter
  • Soy, almond, oat, or other nondairy, plant-based milk can be used. Coconut milk would lend a subtle tropical flavor to the cornbread.
  • Thinned-out plain yogurt or sour cream adds some tang and richness.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
211Calories
10g Fat
26g Carbs
5g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 9
Amount per serving
Calories211
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g13%
Saturated Fat 6g28%
Cholesterol 64mg21%
Sodium 358mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 26g10%
Dietary Fiber 2g6%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg6%
Calcium 130mg10%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 143mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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This Cornbread Recipe Is So Versatile and Tender (2024)

FAQs

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

While both styles generally use the same ingredients -- cornmeal, flour, eggs, and baking powder -- the variance lies in the flavor and texture. Northern-style cornbread tends to be sweeter, moister, and cake-like compared to its Southern counterpart.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

Which is sweeter northern or southern cornbread? ›

She notes that Northern cornbread is sweeter, lighter, and more cake-like than Southern cornbread. Not surprisingly, it includes sugar (or molasses, in the earlier centuries), unlike traditional Southern cornbread.

What makes cornbread not fall apart? ›

Adding Dry Ingredients

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour.

Which makes better cornbread, white or yellow cornmeal? ›

While either white or yellow cornmeal will technically work when making cornbread, yellow does make for a softer more tender bread. Milk is what is going to make sure our bread stays nice and moist as it acts as the binding agent. Baking powder is key for getting a nice tender and fluffy crumb.

Is medium or coarse cornmeal better 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.

Why is cornbread not healthy? ›

Cornbread is quite low in fiber, providing only one to two grams per serving. While yellow cornmeal is a whole grain with around 6 grams of fiber per cup, cornbread is often made of a mixture of cornmeal and refined flour, making each serving a low-fiber option.

Is cornbread good or bad for diabetics? ›

Cornbread is delicious and a great accompaniment to any meal. However, it is not a good idea if you are a diabetic. The high starch and cornmeal contents are carbohydrates which are broken down into sugar in the body. Sugar is extremely dangerous for people with diabetes, so it is best to avoid it.

Is real southern cornbread sweet? ›

Real, traditional, Southern-style cornbread is savory, not sweet, and always has been.

What brand of cornbread 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.

Should you add sugar to cornbread? ›

So I'm just going to say it: sugar has no business in cornbread. Neither, for that matter, does wheat flour. One might make something quite tasty with well-sweetened wheat flour mixed with cornmeal, but be honest with yourself and call it a dessert. Cornbread is something else.

What kind of corn is best for cornbread? ›

But one of the easiest ways to jazz up a basic cornbread is by adding sweet corn, which creates more layers of that sweet and sunny flavor. Fresh corn is always best if it's in season, cut straight off the cob, but frozen is nearly as good. Just let the corn thaw and then drain it completely, patting dry if needed.

Will an extra egg make cornbread less crumbly? ›

Yes, but we recommend using an egg substitute, like applesauce. Eggs, or egg substitutes help add structure to the cornbread. Without an egg or substitute, the cornbread may crumble and fall apart easily.

How to stop jiffy cornbread from crumbling? ›

  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.
Sep 26, 2016

What is southern cornbread called? ›

This corn pone recipe is a bona fide Southern tradition. It is unsweetened, baked in a cast iron skillet, and tastes just like what Grandma used to make! Submitted by Aggie. Updated on November 15, 2022.

Is southern cornbread sweet or savory? ›

Real, traditional, Southern-style cornbread is savory, not sweet, and always has been.

What did Native Americans call cornbread? ›

Among them was a version of Indian bread made of cornmeal, salt and water called pone or corn pone. The name came from the Algonquin word apan, meaning "baked." The Narragansett word for cornbread, nokechick, became no-cake and then hoe-cake.

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