Golden Sweet Cornbread Recipe: A Scrumptious Family Favorite

Golden, tender, and irresistibly moist, this best ever sweet cornbread recipe promises to become your new favorite comfort food.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated the magic of perfectly balanced cornbread that melts in your mouth.

Warm butter and subtle sweetness dance together, creating a side dish that steals the spotlight from any main course.

Each bite delivers a delightful combination of soft crumb and delicate corn flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Baked to perfection with simple ingredients, this cornbread bridges rustic charm and modern culinary delight.

The secret lies in a careful blend of ingredients that guarantee a consistently amazing result.

You’ll want to save this recipe as your go-to cornbread companion for every meal.

How to Plate Best Ever Sweet Cornbread

• Cozy Comfort Companions: Pair this sweet cornbread with hearty chili or rich beef stew for a warm, satisfying meal that hugs your taste buds and fills your belly with pure comfort.
• Southern Breakfast Delight: Serve warm slices alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a dollop of honey butter for a classic southern-style breakfast that will jumpstart your morning with deliciousness.
• Picnic and Potluck Star: Cut into squares and pack for outdoor gatherings, where this cornbread becomes the perfect side dish that complements grilled meats, barbecue, and summer salads with its sweet, tender crumb.
• Sweet Dessert Transformation: Crumble slightly cooled cornbread over vanilla ice cream or drizzle with extra honey for a rustic, unexpected dessert that blends sweet, warm flavors in every delightful bite.

Storage Instructions for Best Ever Sweet Cornbread

• Smart Portioning: Cut cornbread into individual squares or wedges for easy grab-and-go meals. Perfect for lunch boxes, picnics, or quick snacks during busy weeks.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 15-20 seconds. Brush with melted butter before reheating to restore softness and enhance flavor. Avoid overheating to prevent toughness.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Slice cornbread, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently reheat in the oven for best texture and taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 28-32 minutes

Total Time: 43-47 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 9

Best Ever Sweet Cornbread Ingredient Breakdown

• Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cornbread, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Yellow Cornmeal: Adds signature corn flavor and golden color, opt for stone-ground for richer taste.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain for even distribution.
• Baking Soda: Helps cornbread rise and creates tender crumb, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening.
• Baking Powder: Provides additional lift and lightness, check expiration date for best results.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and moisture, use high-quality unsalted butter for best taste.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cornbread extra moist and tender, choose neutral-flavored oil.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning, use pure cane sugar for cleaner flavor.
• Honey: Introduces natural sweetness and depth, select local raw honey for complex flavor profile.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, use room temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Buttermilk: Creates tangy flavor and tender crumb, can substitute with milk and vinegar if needed.

• Butter: Perfect for greasing pan, ensures easy cornbread removal and adds extra flavor.

Equipment Setup for Best Ever Sweet Cornbread

• Cast Iron Skillet: Essential for creating crispy edges and even baking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for mixing dry ingredients separately.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for gently folding ingredients without overmixing.
• Whisk: Helps blend wet ingredients thoroughly.
• Oven Mitts: Necessary for safely handling the hot skillet.
• Toothpick: Helps check if cornbread is fully baked.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Instructions for Baking Best Ever Sweet Cornbread

• Oven Warmup

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Get a cast iron skillet ready by placing it inside to warm up while you mix ingredients.

• Dry Ingredient Magic

Grab a mixing bowl and combine flour, cornmeal, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later.

• Wet Ingredient Dance

Melt most of the butter, keeping a tiny bit for greasing. In a large bowl, blend melted butter, oil, sugar, and honey until smooth. Crack in eggs and pour buttermilk, whisking everything together.

• Batter Creation

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a wooden spoon. Don’t stress about tiny lumps – they’re part of the charm.

• Skillet Transformation

Pull out the hot skillet carefully with oven mitts. Quickly brush remaining butter across the surface. Pour batter into skillet, smoothing the top. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Tips & Alternatives for Best Ever Sweet Cornbread

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Moisture Magic: Add a small handful of corn kernels to the batter for extra texture and bursts of sweet corn flavor that elevate the traditional cornbread.
• Cheesy Twist: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a delicious savory upgrade that melts perfectly.
• Spice It Up: Mix in diced jalapeños or green chiles to give the cornbread a southwestern kick that brings warmth and excitement to every bite.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make this recipe accessible for those with wheat sensitivities without losing the rich, buttery taste.
• Serving Suggestions: Drizzle warm honey or maple syrup over freshly baked slices, or serve alongside chili, barbecue, or as a standalone comfort food treat that everyone will love.

Heavenly Sweet Cornbread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 43-47 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern-style sweet cornbread blends comfort and nostalgia with simple ingredients that create a memorable side dish. Warm slices pair perfectly with chili, stews, or enjoyed solo as a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large eggs
• 1 & ¼ cups (300 ml) buttermilk
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 g) butter (1 stick), reserve ½ tbsp for greasing
• ⅓ cup (113 g) honey
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (120 g) flour, spooned and leveled
• ¾ cup (90 g) yellow cornmeal
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Skillet Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 375°F. Warm a 9-inch cast iron skillet inside to guarantee a crisp exterior for the cornbread.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, yellow cornmeal, kosher salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution. Set aside momentarily.
3. Wet Ingredient Blending: Melt butter, reserving a portion for skillet greasing. Whisk melted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and golden honey in a spacious bowl until achieving a silky, consistent texture.
4. Liquid Base Creation: Integrate eggs and buttermilk into the butter mixture, whisking comprehensively to establish a homogeneous liquid foundation. Confirm complete incorporation with no visible streaks.
5. Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet components using a wooden spoon. Mix until marginally combined, allowing minimal lumps to preserve ideal texture.
6. Skillet Transformation: Don oven mitts, extract heated skillet, and swiftly brush remaining butter across surface to prevent adhesion and enhance flavor profile.
7. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared skillet, smoothing evenly with a spatula. Return skillet to central oven rack and bake for 28-32 minutes until surface turns golden-brown.
8. Doneness Verification: Pierce cornbread center with a toothpick; it should emerge pristine without raw batter residue, signaling perfect completion.

Notes

• Preheat Precision: Position oven rack in middle for even heat distribution and consistent baking results.
• Skillet Selection: Use a 9-inch cast iron skillet to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior and enhance traditional cornbread flavor.
• Mixing Mastery: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender, light texture with small lumps.
• Doneness Detection: Insert a toothpick into cornbread center – a clean toothpick indicates perfectly baked cornbread with no raw batter remaining.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 28-32 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg