Cornbread Recipe from Scratch – Golden, Moist, and Delicious
Cornbread Recipe from Scratch
A cornbread recipe from scratch is the ultimate way to enjoy a classic, comforting staple of Southern cuisine. Unlike boxed mixes, making cornbread from scratch allows you to control texture, flavor, and sweetness, resulting in a moist, golden interior and a slightly crisp exterior. Its slightly sweet, buttery flavor pairs perfectly with hearty soups, chili, fried chicken, or simply a pat of melting butter. The aroma of freshly baked cornbread filling the kitchen evokes nostalgia and warmth, making it a favorite for family dinners, gatherings, and seasonal celebrations.
Cornbread’s appeal lies in its simplicity and versatility. Whether baked in a cast-iron skillet for a crunchy crust, or prepared as a quick skillet cornbread, this dish brings an authentic, homemade touch to your table. The combination of cornmeal, flour, and a careful balance of wet ingredients produces a tender crumb, while the slight crispiness on top creates a pleasing contrast in texture. Home cooks love this recipe because it transforms basic ingredients into a golden, flavorful masterpiece that complements nearly any meal.
From a chef’s perspective, mastering cornbread from corn meal is not just about baking it’s about understanding texture, heat, and timing. Each element, from the quality of the cornmeal to the temperature of your skillet, contributes to a perfect loaf. Once you grasp these fundamentals, you can customize the recipe to create crispy fried cornbread, skillet cornbread, or iron skillet cornbread recipes tailored to your preference.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cornbread recipe from scratch is crafted to ensure home bakers achieve a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and appearance every time. Here’s why it stands out:
Preparation and Cooking Time, Also Serving
Ingredients
For the Cornbread
Substitution Notes:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Skillet or Pan
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) if baking in the oven. For cast-iron skillet cornbread, place the skillet in the oven during preheating with 2 tablespoons of oil or butter. This ensures the skillet is hot, producing a golden, crispy crust. If using a standard baking pan, lightly grease with butter or oil and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting the cornmeal and flour helps achieve a smoother texture, reducing lumps and ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth. Ensure the eggs are fully incorporated and the butter is not too hot to prevent curdling.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can result in a dense cornbread. The batter should be thick but pourable, with small lumps acceptable.
Step 5: Pour Batter into Skillet or Pan
Carefully remove the preheated skillet from the oven and pour in the batter, spreading evenly. The sizzle when the batter hits the hot skillet signals that a crispy crust will form. For baking pans, simply pour and smooth the batter evenly.
Step 6: Bake the Cornbread
Place the skillet or pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. For crispy fried cornbread, cut baked cornbread into squares and fry lightly in butter or oil until edges are golden and crisp.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Allow the cornbread to cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the interior to set, ensuring clean cuts and a tender crumb. Serve warm for best texture and flavor.
How to Serve
Cornbread is versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes. Serve warm with butter, honey, or a drizzle of maple syrup. For a hearty meal, accompany it with chili, fried chicken, soup, or barbecue. Slice into wedges or squares for casual family meals, or arrange on a platter for gatherings. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, shredded cheese, or chopped jalapeños can elevate the presentation and flavor for festive meals.
Additional Tips
Recipe Variations
Freezing and Storage
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)
Final Words
Creating a cornbread recipe from scratch allows you to experience the satisfaction of turning simple ingredients into a golden, flavorful, and versatile dish. The aroma of freshly baked cornbread, combined with its tender, moist interior and crisp exterior, makes it an essential addition to family meals and festive gatherings alike. By mastering this recipe, you gain a reliable foundation for exploring variations like skillet cornbread, fried cornbread, or cheese-stuffed versions that elevate traditional comfort food to restaurant-quality results.
The beauty of this cornbread lies not only in its flavor but also in its adaptability. Whether paired with hearty chili, fried chicken, soups, or enjoyed on its own with butter and honey, it offers a comforting, satisfying bite that appeals to both kids and adults. Using quality ingredients and following proper mixing and baking techniques ensures that each loaf or skillet batch has a tender crumb, golden crust, and rich, corn-forward flavor.
Finally, mastering this cornbread recipe from scratch empowers you to experiment with new flavors, textures, and cooking methods. Add sweet corn kernels, jalapeños, cheese, or honey glaze to create personalized versions that suit your taste. Whether for everyday meals, casual family dinners, or holiday feasts, this recipe delivers a consistently impressive result that brings warmth, flavor, and a touch of homemade charm to your table.
FAQ’s
Cornbread Recipe from Scratch – Golden, Moist, and Delicious
Course: Bread Recipes8
servings15
minutes25
minutes210
kcalIngredients
1 cup cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter for the skillet
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) if baking in the oven. For cast-iron skillet cornbread, place the skillet in the oven during preheating with 2 tablespoons of oil or butter. This ensures the skillet is hot, producing a golden, crispy crust. If using a standard baking pan, lightly grease with butter or oil and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting the cornmeal and flour helps achieve a smoother texture, reducing lumps and ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth. Ensure the eggs are fully incorporated and the butter is not too hot to prevent curdling.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can result in a dense cornbread. The batter should be thick but pourable, with small lumps acceptable.
- Carefully remove the preheated skillet from the oven and pour in the batter, spreading evenly. The sizzle when the batter hits the hot skillet signals that a crispy crust will form. For baking pans, simply pour and smooth the batter evenly.
- Place the skillet or pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. For crispy fried cornbread, cut baked cornbread into squares and fry lightly in butter or oil until edges are golden and crisp.
- Allow the cornbread to cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the interior to set, ensuring clean cuts and a tender crumb. Serve warm for best texture and flavor.
