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Fill your kitchen with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cornbread in just 30 minutes. Moist, buttery, with a fluffy center and crisp, golden edges—this Cornbread Recipe has it all! Made from scratch in a cast iron skillet with pantry staples, every bite will make you fall in love all over again. Perfect for any occasion!
What Sets This Cornbread Recipe Apart?
What makes this Cornbread Recipe truly special? It’s all about the fine details. Taking inspiration from the roots of American cuisine, this recipe transforms a beloved classic into something extraordinary. Buttery soft with a light, crumbly center and irresistibly crispy golden edges—it’s everything you know and love about cornbread, but better.
This recipe stands out because it nails the perfect cornmeal-to-flour ratio, ensuring the crumb is never too dense or dry. Made with simple pantry staples, it’s effortlessly achievable, yet the cast iron skillet takes it to the next level by locking in those crispy edges. Whether you’re serving it as a side, snack, or using it as a base for Easy Buttermilk Cornbread, this recipe shines every time.
Pair it with dishes like Beef and Chili, Garlic Mushroom Chicken Bites, Cream Of Mushroom Soup, or Slow Cooker Beef Stew for the ultimate cozy comfort meal. This isn’t just cornbread; it’s a tradition worth savoring, bite after bite.
The Ultimate Cornbread Recipe: Key Ingredients
The secret to this Homemade Cornbread Recipe is in the ingredients. Creamy butter adds richness, cornmeal brings that iconic golden texture, and a cast iron skillet ensures those irresistible crispy edges. Simple, everyday staples—extraordinary results!
- Polenta or Cornmeal: The star of the show! Cornmeal gives cornbread its signature golden hue, slightly grainy texture, and hearty, rustic flavor. It’s what sets cornbread apart from other quick breads. Look for finely ground cornmeal for a smoother crumb or medium grind for a more rustic bite. It’s also key ingredient in our Osso Bucco in Red Wine Salsa with Soft Polenta.
- Buttermilk: This ingredient adds moisture and a subtle tanginess that elevates the flavor of the cornbread. Its acidity reacts with baking soda, helping the cornbread rise beautifully while creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Melted Butter: Rich, creamy, and essential for both flavor and texture. It keeps the cornbread moist and tender while contributing to its crisp, golden crust—especially when used in a preheated cast iron skillet.
*Note: please see Cornbread Recipe Card at the bottom for full list of ingredients and measurements
Additions And Substitutions
When it comes to Homemade Cornbread, fresh, simple ingredients make all the difference. Don’t have everything on hand? No worries—small adjustments can still deliver that golden, buttery perfection!
- Buttermilk: No buttermilk? No problem! Swap it with regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice. This quick fix keeps that signature tang and moisture intact.
- Add-ins: Spice things up with diced jalapeños for a hint of heat, or mix in shredded cheddar for a savory twist. For extra texture, toss in fresh corn kernels—they add a delightful rustic touch without altering the essence of the recipe.
The Perfect Cornbread Recipe: A Step By Step Guide
Let’s get cooking! In just a few easy steps, you’ll have golden, buttery cornbread fresh out of the oven and ready to enjoy. Grab your ingredients, preheat your skillet, and let’s make this classic recipe shine!
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9 inch cast-iron skillet or an 8×8 baking dish and place it in the oven while it heats up. This step ensures that the batter hits a hot surface, creating a beautifully crispy crust.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until thoroughly combined.
*Pro Tip: If you’re adding extra ingredients like shredded cheese, jalapeños, or fresh corn kernels, now’s the time to fold them in gently to keep the balance of ingredients.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs until well-blended. Then, add melted butter, whisking it in until smooth.
- Mix and Pour: In the pre heated skillet or baking dish pour the mixture in. The sizzle indicated a crispy edge.
*Pro Tip: If you’re adding extra ingredients like shredded cheese, jalapeños, or fresh corn kernels, now’s the time to fold them in gently to keep the balance of ingredients.
- Bake: Return the skillet to the oven and bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the cornbread cool in the skillet for a few minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the crumb set for easier cutting. Serve warm with softened butter or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor.
*Pro Tip: Try it alongside a creamy, flavorful meal, a rich and hearty experience, or a deliciously crispy and savory combination.
What Can I Serve Cornbread With?
Try it alongside Butter Chicken for a creamy, flavorful meal, Beef Bourguignon for a rich and hearty experience, Crispy Chicken Parmesan for a deliciously crispy and savory combination our our Maple Glazed Ham for a sweet and savory dish to complement your Cornbread Recipe.
Recipe FAQ’s
Either works, but yellow cornmeal gives a richer color and that classic cornbread flavor. Yellow cornmeal is also slightly sweeter, which pairs well with the buttery, slightly tangy taste of the cornbread recipe.
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in the same quantity. Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are also gluten-free. This way, you can enjoy a delicious Cornbread Recipe without gluten.
Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with milk by adding a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to the milk and letting it sit for a few minutes. This mixture mimics the tangy flavor of buttermilk and ensures your cornbread stays moist and tender.
Preheating your skillet in the oven before adding the batter ensures a crisp edge and perfectly golden crust. If you’re using a cast iron skillet, you can also heat it on the stove to melt your butter before adding the batter. This method is quicker and still gives you that signature sizzle.
Cornbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted, or bacon drippings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal or polenta
- 1 tablespoon sugar optional
- 2 teaspoons baking powder optional: yields a fluffier cornbread
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cup buttermilk shake before measuring
- 2 eggs large
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C | 400°F and position a rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9-inch cast iron skillet or 9-inch square baking dish with butter and place skillet/dish into the oven to heat up. (Alternatively for cast iron skillets: heat 1/2 cup of unmelted butter in your cast iron over stove top on medium heat until melted, turn heat off then allow the butter to cool slightly before adding to the batter.)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder (If using), baking soda and salt.
- Make a well in the centre and add the buttermilk and eggs. Mix together well to combine, then add in the slightly cooled melted butter. Mix again until ‘just’ combined (don’t over mix).
- Carefully remove your ‘hot’ pan or dish from the oven with oven mitts, and pour the batter into the hot skillet or dish. Listen to that sizzle! That’s what you want.
- Bake until the cornbread begins to brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean (about 20-23 minutes). Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I agree with previous comments. This is the best cornbread we have tried and will be our go-to recipe. I soak the cornmeal in the buttermilk overnight to rehydrate it a bit. Otherwise I followed everything else as written.
The. Best. Cornbread. Ever!
I have eaten a lot of cornbread in my life and I have made a lot of cornbread and this is the best recipe I have ever found. My cornbread comes out absolutely perfect… And I halve the recipe because it’s just me. But, you really can’t have too much leftover cornbread LOL Not a crumb goes to waste in this house!
Tip for other bakers… if you can’t find buttermilk or you don’t have any on hand, make your own! I don’t have access to buttermilk because I live in Mexico, so I make it using 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice OR distilled white vinegar to every cup of milk. Add the lemon juice or vinegar to your milk, stir it and let it sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Stir it again before you incorporate it into the recipe.
Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe ❤️
Made this today, and it was delish! I used 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup bacon drippings. So yummy! I will be adding more sugar next time. This went into my recipe box that I am leaving my Grandaughter, as she loves to cook! Thank you!
This is the best cornbread recipe I’ve ever found
This recipe is excellent! It’s light, fluffy, and tasty. I’ve been looking for cornbread like I’ve had in some restaurants, and this is it.
This is hands down the best cornbread I’ve ever had. It’s the perfect balance of everything cornbread should be. I typically don’t even care for cornbread, although I will eat it from time to time.,I decided to make it at the last minute tonight and didn’t have my usual mix, so I decided to try from scratch. I am so glad I did!!! It was very easy to make and do delicious that I can’t stop stuffing my face with it!
This turned out perfect! I have never made cornbread before but will make it again and again now. Thanks for sharing!
This is my favorite corn bread recipe. Making it with Chile and BBQ chicken today.
Best cornbread I ever ate. My daughter chomped it down like an alligator and asked for more. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Made it yesterday for our SPring BBQ dinner. Came out awesome. Not greasy, moist, and fluffy. Thank you for this great recipe.