Description
This classic cornbread recipe delivers moist, fluffy, and perfectly golden cornbread made using simple pantry staples. Ideal for pairing with hearty stews or enjoying as a snack, it features a tender crumb and crisp golden crust, becoming a versatile family favorite that’s easy to customize to your tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra moisture)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup melted butter (warm, not hot)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Your Pan: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan or cast iron skillet to prevent sticking and help develop a golden crust.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), baking powder, salt, and sugar for even distribution, ensuring consistent rise and balanced flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then stir in the milk and melted butter. Ensure the butter is warm but not hot to avoid cooking the egg prematurely.
- Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing; a few lumps are fine to maintain tenderness.
- Bake Until Golden: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cornbread to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing to let the crumb set, making it easier to cut and ensuring moist slices.
Notes
- Use buttermilk instead of regular milk for added tanginess and a softer crumb.
- Preheating your pan before adding batter can create a crispier crust.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cornbread tender and fluffy.
- Ensure your baking powder is fresh to avoid dense or flat cornbread.
- Let the cornbread rest after baking before slicing to improve texture and prevent crumbling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/9th of the recipe)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cornbread, southern cornbread, gluten-free cornbread, easy cornbread recipe, classic cornbread