There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh cornbread baking in your oven. This classic cornbread recipe creates a golden, moist masterpiece that pairs beautifully with chili, soups, or stands deliciously on its own.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serving Size: 9 pieces
Difficulty Level: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Cornbread Recipe
This cornbread recipe has been perfected over years of testing. It strikes the ideal balance between sweet and savory. The texture is tender and moist, never dry or crumbly.
You don’t need fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Everything comes together in one bowl. Even beginners can master this recipe on their first try.
The golden crust forms perfectly while the inside stays wonderfully soft. Each bite melts in your mouth with that classic corn flavor everyone loves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This cornbread recipe uses simple pantry staples:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for greasing)
Choosing the Right Cornmeal
Yellow cornmeal gives this cornbread recipe its classic golden color. You can use medium or fine grind for best results.
Stone-ground cornmeal adds more texture and corn flavor. White cornmeal works too, creating a lighter colored bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature creates that perfect golden crust.
Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan generously with melted butter. Don’t skip this step. It prevents sticking and adds extra flavor.
You can also use a 9-inch cast iron skillet for this cornbread recipe. Cast iron creates an amazing crispy bottom crust.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
Make sure there are no lumps in your cornmeal. Break them up with your whisk or fingers.
Combining Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat them until well combined and slightly frothy.
The eggs should be at room temperature for this cornbread recipe. They mix more easily and create better texture.
Bringing It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Mix just until combined. You should still see a few small lumps. Overmixing creates tough, dense cornbread.
The batter will be slightly thick but pourable. This consistency is perfect for moist cornbread.
Baking to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula.
Place the pan in your preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
The cornbread is done when the top turns golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
The edges will pull away slightly from the pan sides. This is a good visual indicator of doneness.
Cooling and Serving
Let the cornbread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. This makes it easier to cut without crumbling.
Cut into 9 equal squares. Serve warm with butter, honey, or jam.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
- Calories: 215
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 280mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 27g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 4g
Tips for the Best Cornbread Recipe
Temperature Matters
All ingredients should be at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly and bake evenly.
Cold ingredients can cause the batter to seize up. Take eggs and milk out of the fridge 30 minutes before starting.
Don’t Overmix
This is the most common mistake in any cornbread recipe. Overmixing develops gluten, making the bread tough.
Stir just until you no longer see dry flour. A few lumps are completely fine.
Test for Doneness
Every oven heats differently. Start checking at 20 minutes with the toothpick test.
The top should spring back when lightly pressed. The internal temperature should reach 200°F.
Achieve Maximum Moisture
For extra moist cornbread, add an extra tablespoon of oil. You can also brush the top with melted butter right after baking.
Don’t overbake. Even one or two extra minutes can dry out your cornbread.
Delicious Variations
Sweet Cornbread
Increase the sugar to ½ cup for a sweeter cornbread recipe. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Drizzle honey over the warm cornbread. Some people love adding a handful of fresh corn kernels too.
Savory Cornbread
Reduce sugar to 2 tablespoons for less sweetness. Add ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the batter.
Mix in diced jalapeños for a spicy kick. You can also add crumbled bacon or chopped scallions.
Mexican-Style Cornbread
Add 1 cup of corn kernels and ½ cup of pepper jack cheese. Stir in 2 tablespoons of diced green chiles.
This variation pairs perfectly with chili or taco soup.
Buttermilk Cornbread
Replace regular milk with buttermilk in this cornbread recipe. Reduce baking powder to 2 teaspoons and add ½ teaspoon baking soda.
Buttermilk creates incredibly tender, tangy cornbread.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftover Cornbread
Store cooled cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for 2-3 days.
You can also wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap. This makes grabbing a quick snack easy.
Freezing Instructions
This cornbread recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil.
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating Methods
Microwave individual pieces for 15-20 seconds. This brings back the soft, warm texture.
For the best results, wrap in a damp paper towel before microwaving. The moisture prevents drying.
You can reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent over-browning.
Perfect Pairings
What to Serve with Cornbread
This cornbread recipe complements so many dishes. It’s perfect alongside hearty chili or beef stew.
Serve it with BBQ, fried chicken, or pulled pork. The slightly sweet flavor balances smoky, savory meats.
Cornbread is also wonderful with butter beans, collard greens, or black-eyed peas. These Southern classics were made for each other.
Breakfast Ideas
Crumble leftover cornbread over yogurt with fresh berries. Toast slices and top with butter and jam.
Some people even make French toast with cornbread. It creates a unique, delicious breakfast treat.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Old Baking Powder
Check your baking powder’s expiration date. Old leavening agents won’t create proper rise.
Test your baking powder by mixing a teaspoon with hot water. It should fizz vigorously.
Wrong Pan Size
Using a different pan size affects baking time and texture. An 8×8-inch pan is ideal for this cornbread recipe.
Larger pans create thinner, drier cornbread. Smaller pans need longer baking time and may not cook evenly.
Opening the Oven Too Soon
Resist the urge to peek before 20 minutes. Opening the oven releases heat and affects rising.
The cornbread could collapse in the center if disturbed too early.
Why This Cornbread Recipe Works
The ratio of cornmeal to flour creates perfect texture. Too much cornmeal makes crumbly cornbread.
The combination of baking powder and proper mixing creates great rise. The sugar adds just enough sweetness without overwhelming.
The oil keeps this cornbread moist for days. Butter alone can make it dry out faster.
Final Thoughts
This cornbread recipe has become a family favorite for good reason. It’s reliable, delicious, and versatile.
Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or special occasion, it always impresses. The simple ingredients and quick preparation make it perfect for busy cooks.
Try this recipe today and enjoy the warm, comforting taste of homemade cornbread. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and your family will ask for seconds.
Remember, the key to perfect cornbread is not overmixing and baking at the right temperature. Follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll create golden, moist cornbread every single time.