Description
Southern cornbread brings warm memories of homemade comfort at family gatherings. Rich buttermilk and golden cornmeal create a perfect side dish you’ll savor with hearty meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) yellow cornmeal
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) baking powder
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) honey (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 400°F (200°C) with rack positioned centrally. Generously lubricate an 8×8-inch baking pan to prevent adhesion.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Merge cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously to eliminate potential clumps and ensure uniform distribution.
- Liquid Integration: Gently incorporate milk, eggs, vegetable oil, and honey into the dry mixture. Stir with a delicate touch, blending until ingredients are just combined – overmixing compromises the cornbread’s delicate structure.
- Batter Transformation: Smoothly pour the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to create an even surface. Tap the pan lightly to disperse any trapped air pockets.
- Baking and Verification: Slide the pan into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes. Watch for a rich golden-brown exterior and a center that springs back when touched. Confirm doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge clean and devoid of raw batter.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow the cornbread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, facilitating proper setting and easier slicing. Serve while warm to maximize flavor and textural enjoyment.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently until ingredients are just combined to maintain a tender, soft cornbread texture without developing tough gluten strands.
- Check Moisture Balance: Add an extra tablespoon of milk if batter seems too thick, ensuring a moist and delicate final product that doesn’t become dry or crumbly.
- Customize Sweetness Levels: Reduce sugar for a more savory version or increase honey for enhanced sweetness, adapting the recipe to personal taste preferences.
- Enhance Dietary Adaptability: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cornbread’s classic golden texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg