Homemade Cornbread Recipe (2024)

This fluffy homemade cornbread recipe has a hint of sweetness, and it’s easy to make.

Light, tender, and moist, this recipe is perfect for dipping, dunking, or slathering with butter.

It’s the perfect bread to serve alongside your favorite hearty soups, stews, and chili recipes!

Homemade Cornbread Recipe (1)

Ingredients for Cornbread

Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour is the base of the recipe and adds structure and texture. Baking powder helps it rise while eggs help bind it all together.

Cornmeal – Yellow cornmeal is the star of this cornbread recipe. It gives a distinct yellow color and adds flavor and texture.

Sugar – A touch of sweetness to balance out the flavors.

Buttermilk – Adds a tangy flavor, but it also helps the cornbread rise, making it fluffy and moist (see recipe notes for substitution).

Butter – Butter adds richness and flavor and helps create a golden brown crust.

Buttermilk Substitution

Buttermilk adds a rich flavor and the acidity helps this bread rise. You can replace buttermilk by placing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in a 1 cup measuring cup and filling it with milk. Stir and let it rest for 5 minutes before using.

This soured milk mixture can be used in almost any recipe calling for buttermilk.

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How to Make Cornbread

This easy cornbread recipe is perfect to slather in honey butter or dunk into a bowl of homemade chili!

  1. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl per the recipe below. Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
  2. Combine the two just until moistened.
  3. Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake until fluffy.
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Variations

This homemade cornbread recipe is super moist and tender with just a hint of sweetness. This is not an overly sweet cornbread (and it is great in stuffing or dressing).

I sometimes add a cup or so of corn kernels if I have them on hand (either canned and drained or frozen/defrosted). Other additions include diced jalapenos, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon (or bacon drippings in place of some of the butter), or fresh herbs.

Tips for Fluffy Moist Cornbread

  • Like most quick bread recipes (such as banana bread), mix the batter just until moistened.Overmixing can cause a dry, tough cornbread.
  • Check the cornbread a few minutes early to ensure it doesn’t overbake. If a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, the cornbread is done.
  • Let the cornbread cool at least 10 minutes before cutting so it doesn’t fall apart.
  • Serve warm or reheat in the oven or microwave to reheat.
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How to Store Cornbread

Cornbread is a delicious and moist quick bread and should be stored in a tightly sealed container at room temperature (or in the fridge).

To freeze cornbread, cut it into squares and place it in an airtight container. If you are layering the cornbread, place parchment paper between the layers to avoid it sticking. Thaw by letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

If you’d like to reheat it, wrap it in foil and reheat it in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350°F.

More Savory Quick Breads

Cheese Bread (Quick Bread)

Garlic Drop Biscuits

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Cheddar Cheese Scones

Side Dishes

Did your family love this homemade Cornbread recipe? Leave us a rating and a comment below!

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4.87 from 104 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Homemade Cornbread Recipe

This simple cornbread recipe is light, fluffy, and delicious!

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Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

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Servings 9 servings

Homemade Cornbread Recipe (15)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk or soured milk, see notes
  • cup butter melted

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.

  • Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter.

  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.

  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notes

Buttermilk substitute: Buttermilk adds flavor as well as helps this cornbread recipe rise nicely. If you don’t have buttermilk, place 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a 1 cup measuring cup. Fill to 1 cup with milk and stir. Let rest 5 minutes and use in place of buttermilk.

Optional Additions: Add 1 cup corn kernels, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or 1 finely diced jalapeno pepper to the batter before baking.

Cornbread is great served with honey butter.

4.87 from 104 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 232 | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Homemade Cornbread Recipe (18) Course Bread, Side Dish

Homemade Cornbread Recipe (19) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Recipe adapted fromChile Cheddar Cornbread.

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Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Homemade Cornbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How is cornbread made from scratch? ›

Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add milk, vegetable oil, and egg; whisk until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

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 you let cornbread batter rest before baking? ›

Set the batter aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

By letting the cornbread batter sit at room temperature before baking, the cornmeal has some extra time to absorb the flavor from the other ingredients, and the baking powder gets a head start.

Is cornbread better with milk or water? ›

Can I substitute water for milk in cornbread mix? Yes, you can, but it may result in a less rich flavor. If you're out of milk, try using cream or half-and-half, evaporated or powdered milk, or even plain yogurt. If you have dietary restrictions, try soy milk or oat milk.

What is Southern cornbread made of? ›

In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and butter. Combine with dry ingredients and stir until all ingredients are moistened. The batter will be similar to a thick pancake batter.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The change in production made the meal more dry -- which maybe made cooks add sugar, according to the article. But now, there are many people offering coarse-ground cornmeal that mimics the traditional meal, there's really no reason to add the sugar -- unless you're just stubborn.

Which 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.

Is Jiffy cornbread the same as cornmeal? ›

Are cornmeal and cornbread mix the same thing? No, but cornmeal is one of the ingredients present in cornbread mix. The mix will have additional ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt for additional body and flavor, as well as a leavening agent like baking soda for a fluffier texture.

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.

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

Oil changes cornbread's texture

Using oil will make your cornbread tender and moist while butter will give you heavier bread. Why do you get such different qualities from these fats? This is largely due to the fact that at room temperature, oil is a liquid while butter is a solid.

Should cornbread batter be thick or thin? ›

The batter should be thick, but still pourable. Add more milk or buttermilk if necessary. Remove the skillet from the oven and tilt the pan so the butter coats the bottom and sides of pan.

Why does my cornbread always fall in the middle? ›

A: While not a professional chef, my experience with corn bread, be it packaged or made from scratch is if you over mix it, it's gonna fall!

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for cornbread? ›

Mix together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.. Make a well in dry ingredients and add sour cream, egg, and melted butter. Mix the ingredients just until everything is incorporated. Add the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Is cornbread good for your bowels? ›

Is cornbread hard to digest? A. Cornbread contains fibre, which is not easily digested or absorbed by the body and passes through the digestive system relatively intact. Fibre also controls bowel motions by softening and increasing the weight and size of the stool, all of which make it easier to pass stool.

Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of milk for cornbread? ›

You can substitute heavy cream for 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 cup sour cream, combined. You can also substitute the cream for milk. Use 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk plus 2 Tablespoons melted butter to the batter. The cornbread will have a close texture.

What is cornbread mix made of? ›

Ingredients. WHEAT FLOUR, DEGERMED YELLOW CORN MEAL, SUGAR, LARD (HYDROGENATED LARD, BHT AND CITRIC ACID PRESERVATIVES), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: BAKING SODA, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID, WHEAT STARCH.

How was cornbread created? ›

Early cornbread consisted of cornmeal, water, and salt and was baked over a fire or in a hearth. Without milk, eggs, or sugar, early versions of the bread were quite different than what we eat today, but they offered a vital source of energy.

What is the science behind cornbread? ›

Most recipes are based in a mixture of wheat flour and yellow or white maize meal or flour, baking powder, shortening/lard, and other ingredients that improve texture and flavor. The functional gluten of the wheat flour allows the production of more aerated breads, whereas corn flour imparts the characteristic flavor.

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.

References

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