This Easy Homemade Cornbread is tender, moist, and super flavorful. It’s made with just a few ingredients and can be baked in a cast-iron skillet, baking dish, or muffin tins.
Looking for more cornbread recipes? Be sure to try our cornbread muffins or a variation of cornbread in this dense and moist creamed corn casserole.
Easy Homemade Cornbread
If you’re on the hunt for the best homemade cornbread, this is it. This easy cornbread recipe makes the most soft, tender, and flavorful cornbread that is never dry! I use this recipe year-round—as a simple side dish for the holidays and a family favorite whenever we barbecue.
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Slather some of this Whipped Honey Butter on it for total lip-smacking goodness. Or, if you are looking for something a little more savory, try this Garlic Butter, too. So good!
How to Make Cornmeal
A great way to make your own cornmeal is to grind popcorn. Yes, the same stuff you use to air pop! I discovered this a few years back, and it was a game-changer.
You’ll need a wheat grinder, and you’ll want to be sure and double-check the ratings to be sure you can grind cornmeal in it. Some wheat grinders will gum up if you try to grind anything other than hard white wheat. Once you get the green light, just follow the instructions in your grinder’s manual and voila – freshly ground cornmeal!
I happened to have an old Magic Mill that my Mom used for 20 years before passing along to me. I’ve had it now for 15 years and it is still plugging away.
Storing Fresh Cornmeal
Cornmeal is best stored frozen so that it stays fresh longer. I like to put any extra cornmeal into freezer bags and store it that way for up to 3 months.
Key Ingredients
- Cornmeal – either grind your own or purchase preground cornmeal at the store. You can choose whether you prefer coarse or finely ground.
- Flour – you can use all-purpose flour for this recipe.
- Sugar – regular granulated sugar.
- Baking Powder – this helps the cornbread to rise slightly and keeps it nice and tender.
- Milk – it’s best if you are able to use either whole milk or 2%.
- Butter – either salted or unsalted butter will work.
- Egg – any type of large egg will work.
How to Make Easy Homemade Cornbread
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and mix well.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the milk, melted butter, and egg and whisk together until the egg is beaten.
- Combine. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula just until combined. The batter should be just a little lumpy.
- Bake. Pour cornbread batter into a greased 8″ x 8″ baking dish (or 12 greased muffin tins). Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve. Pull from the oven, let cool slightly, and then serve warm with butter. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread: Mix diced jalapeños and shredded cheddar cheese into the batter to add a spicy kick and cheesy goodness.
- Bacon and Scallion Cornbread: Cook bacon until crispy, crumble it, and mix it into the batter along with chopped scallions for a savory twist.
- Sweet Cornbread: Add more sugar to the batter for a sweeter, dessert-like cornbread. You can also drizzle honey over the top after baking.
- Mexican Cornbread: Add corn kernels, diced green chilies, and a sprinkle of cumin to the batter for a Southwestern flair.
- Gluten-Free Cornbread: Substitute wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make cornbread suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like to bake this cornbread recipe at 325 degrees F. This makes sure that it cooks all the way through without the outside burning. If you try to bake it too much lower, you risk the cornbread drying out and losing moisture.
The most obvious way to keep cornbread moist is to make sure you don’t over bake it! This recipe has milk, butter, and a whole egg which help keep the cornbread from getting too dry. Just be sure you aren’t over mixing and that you measure your ingredients properly.
Yes! You can store in freezer bags or another airtight container for up to 2 months in the freezer.
Storing Instructions
- Room Temperature: if wrapped well in foil or placed into an airtight container, Easy Homemade Cornbread will stay fresh for up to 2 days at room temperature.
- Refrigerator: to store for a bit longer, wrap leftover cornbread in foil or transfer to an airtight container and store it for up to 1 week in the fridge.
- Freezer: cornbread may be frozen for up to 2 months as long as it is wrapped well and transferred to freezer bags or another airtight container.
- Leftovers: Try making our Cornbread Stuffing Recipe for your next holiday meal.
Easy Homemade Cornbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and mix well. In another bowl, combine the milk, melted butter, and egg and whisk together until the egg is beaten.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a spatula, just until combined—the batter should be just a little lumpy. Pour cornbread batter into a greased 8" x 8" baking dish (or 12 greased muffin tins).
- Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and let cool slightly, then serve warm with butter. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More Easy Bread and Quick Bread Recipes
- Rustic Cheddar Cheese Bread
- Homemade Banana Bread
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- Ham and Cheese Cornbread Muffins
- Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
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This Easy Homemade Cornbread is a simple and delicious side to any soup or salad and a family favorite when we barbecue. It’s tender, moist, super flavorful, and made with just a few simple ingredients.
I used store bought cornmeal and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing!
What a delicious and easy to make bread. So perfect with honey and butter. And how awesome to make my own cornmeal. Who knew it could be that easy! Thanks for this great recipe.