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Classic Cornbread

This Classic Cornbread recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious quick breads you’ll ever make! It’s completely homemade by using ingredients you already have in your pantry.

An Easy Cornbread Recipe

There’s just something so comforting about a dense, warm piece of cornbread with a dollop of butter and a drizzle of honey. Ah, and don’t forget a few specks of sea salt! It’s the perfect sweet and savory bite. This easy Classic Cornbread is the best recipe for this old-fashioned quick bread.

We love to make cornbread as a side dish when we simply can’t think of anything else. Plus, the leftovers are good for breakfast or a snack. The kids just eat it right up!

It’s really easy to keep the ingredients you need for this recipe on hand. All you need is cornmeal, flour, sugar, and a few other baking essentials. Then it’s as simple as mixing everything into a bowl and then baking the bread. Everyone is going to be so excited when they see you pull this decadent quick bread out of the oven!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cornbread

This is our favorite recipe for Classic Cornbread and here’s why:

  • No special trips to the store. The recipe requires very basic baking ingredients that we usually have on hand anyways. So, it’s always an easy decision to make this recipe.
  • It’s ready in under 30 minutes. We mean it when we say “quick bread”! This bread doesn’t need to proof before baking making it so fast and easy.
  • It’s the perfect side dish and snack. We love the sweet and savory aspect of this bread which makes it a great pairing for so many recipes. And it’s a delicious afternoon snack, too!
the ingredients to make classic cornbread like butter, flour, milk, cornmeal, and eggs

Recipe Ingredients

The list is very basic for this recipe – which makes it even better! Here is what you need to make our Classic Cornbread.

  • Cornmeal: This is the only ingredient that you might not already have in the pantry. We like to buy a big bag at the store so it’s always on hand.
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Granulated Sugar: You could also use honey.
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt: We like to use kosher salt for this recipe.
  • Whole Milk: Buttermilk is also a great option.
  • Egg
  • Butter: We used unsalted butter for this recipe. So if you use salted butter, be sure to decrease the amount of salt you put in the bowl.
cut up pieces of cornbread in a bowl

How to Make Cornbread

Here are the quick and easy steps for making this Classic Cornbread recipe.

First, preheat the oven and grease a baking dish. We like to use a small square baking dish for this recipe.

Next, add the dry ingredients to a bowl. Making sure that you carefully measure all of the ingredients.

Then stir everything together with a whisk or fork. This will gently incorporate everything which will result in a perfectly baked cornbread.

Then add the liquid ingredients. You can combine the liquid ingredients first and this way you won’t overmix the cornbread batter.

Mix everything until the ingredients are combined. Keep in mind it’s ok if the batter is lumpy. Then, after mixing, pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 15-18 minutes. You’ll know the cornbread is done when a toothpick comes out clean from the bread.

Let the bread rest before serving. You want to do this because the bread will fall apart and become crumby if you slice it too quickly.

cut on pieces of cornbread in a bowl lined with a towel

Tips for Success

Some helpful tips for making this Classic Cornbread recipe are below!

  • Add more butter flavor. Buttering the pan helps to give the cornbread a more buttery flavor. And who doesn’t love more butter flavor?!
  • Make the bread sweeter. You can add more sugar if you desire a sweeter cornbread. Alternatively, you can also use honey or maple syrup.
  • The ultimate buttery topping: When you pull the cornbread from the oven, slather the top with butter wait 5 minutes then slice and serve. Yum!! Plus, butter and honey are always delicious toppings on cornbread! We also like to add a few specs of sea salt, too.
  • For sweet and spicy flavor: Add 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeños for a flavorful kick. If you want it spicy, use the entire jalapeño – seeds and all. And top that jalapeño cornbread with a little butter and honey it’s the best of both worlds – sweet and spicy!
a piece of cornbread with a bite taken out of it on a plate with butter on top

What to Serve with Classic Cornbread

Here are some of our favorite recipes to pair with cornbread.

taking out a square slice of cornbrea

How to Store Leftovers

You can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

Can I Freeze This?

Freezing homemade cornbread is easy! Simply wrap in plastic wrap, label, and then store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

a plate of corn bread pieces with butter on top
4.4 from 5 votes
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Yield: 8 servings

Homemade Classic Cornbread

Classic Cornbread is an easy quick bread that can be made with basic pantry ingredients. This dense and delicious side dish takes just 30 minutes to make!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Additional Time5 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups fine yellow corn meal
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar, or honey
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter an 8” or 9” baking pan and set aside.
  • In a medium size bowl, whisk to combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 
  • Add the milk, egg and butter. Stir until combined, but do not over stir. Cornbread batter will be slightly lumpy. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until cooked through and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean. Let cornbread rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Storage: You can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 240kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 337mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g

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