Go Back
cornbread in skillet
Print Pin

Southern Cornbread Recipe

A light and fluffy cornbread that is perfect for spreading honey, butter, or jam on!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 5

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ground cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour you can substitute with yellow cornmeal; it's not ideal, but it is an option
  • 1/2  cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder if you use self-rising flour, you don't need to add baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk you can make your own buttermilk by adding vinegar or lemon to fresh milk
  • 1 egg large

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F / 205°C. While it is heating, place the butter in a cast iron skillet to melt.
    butter melting in cast iron skillet
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients and blend with a whisk rather than with an eggbeater.
    mixing the dry ingredients
  • In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk and the egg, and mix well.
    mixing milk and buttermilk
  • Blend the wet ingredients into the dry until just moist.
    mixing cornbread ingredients
  • Add the melted butter from the skillet and stir it into the mix saving a bit in the pan.
    cast iron skillet coated with butter
  • Swirl the remaining butter in the pan to coat.
    adding butter to mix
  • Pour cornbread batter into the skillet, a cake pan, or a baking dish
    pouring mixture to skillet
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Dot with butter on top after removing from oven.

Notes

  • If you use a self-rising cornmeal mix, you do not need to use the cornmeal, baking powder, or flour.
  • Optionally, you can add a cup of cheddar cheese and / or whole corn kernels, and / or minced jalapeno peppers.