Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe (Mom's Best!) (2024)

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My Buttermilk Cornbread recipe is a classic, comforting dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re pairing it with chili on a cold night, enjoying a slice with your morning coffee, or using it as aside dishat a family gathering, cornbread has a special place in the hearts and kitchens of many. Thiseasy buttermilk cornbread recipeoffers aperfect balancebetween sweet and savory, making it a versatile addition to any meal.

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe (Mom's Best!) (1)

Why You’ll Love ThisEasy Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe

Thisclassic cornbread recipeproduces asweet cornbreadthat you’re going to really enjoy. It requires just a handful of ingredients to yield a supermoist cornbreadwith agolden brown,crispy crust. Its simplicity, combined with the perfect texture and flavor, makes it thebest cornbread recipe. Trust me. It’s so yummy!

What is Buttermilk Cornbread?

Buttermilk cornbread is a type ofsouthern-style cornbreadthat uses buttermilk instead ofregular milk, resulting in a really moist texture. This is agreat recipeis theperfect sidethat uses simple, wholesome ingredients likeyellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, and, you guessed it, buttermilk.Homemade buttermilk cornbreadis one of myfavorite things. You don’t want to eat just alittle bit, you want to eat the whole pan!

How to Make Buttermilk Cornbread

Making this buttermilk cornbread recipe starts with mixing the wet anddry ingredientsseparately to ensure an even distribution of thebaking powderand baking soda, which helps the cornbread rise. After combining the two, the batter is poured into a greasedbaking dishand baked untilgolden brown. As a reminder, I always include a printable recipe card toward the bottom of the post that will contain a thorough list of ingredients with instructions for making this recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ½ cupvegetable oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoonsbaking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup buttermilk
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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One:Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 9×9 inch pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. This step ensures that your cornbread will release easily from the pan after baking.

Step Two:In alarge bowl, whisk together the sugar,vegetable oil, and beaten eggs just until combined. It’s important to use ingredients atroom temperatureto ensure a smooth batter.

Step Three:Sift together the all-purpose flour,baking powder, baking soda, and cornmeal into amedium bowl. This helps to aerate thedry ingredients, contributing to a lighter texture in the finished cornbread.

Step Four:Gradually add about ⅓ of thedry ingredientsto thewet ingredients, alternating with ⅓ of the buttermilk. Stir until just blended. Avoid overmixing to ensure your cornbread remains tender.

Step Five:Pour the batter into the greased baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Substitutions and Variations

  • If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding a tablespoon oflemon juiceor vinegar to a cup ofregular milkand letting it sit for a few minutes.
  • For asweeter cornbread, increase the sugar to ½ cup. Alternatively, for a less sweet, more traditionalsouthern cornbread, you can reduce or omit the sugar.
  • Add-ins like leftover holiday turkey, ham, or even jalapeños can be mixed into the batter for a savory twist.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flourwith a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.

Best Tips

  • Room TemperatureIngredients:Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are atroom temperaturebefore starting. This helps the ingredients mix more evenly, resulting in a better texture.
  • Don’t Overmix:Mix the batter just until thedry ingredientsare moistened. Overmixing can lead to tough cornbread.
  • Check for Doneness:Cornbread is done when the top isgolden brownand a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If it’s browning too quickly, cover it withaluminum foil.
  • Serve Warm:Cornbread is best enjoyed warm, with apat of butterand adrizzle of honeyfor added flavor.
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Storage Instructions

To keep your cornbread moist and fresh, store it in anairtight containeratroom temperaturefor up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it inplastic wrapand thenaluminum foiland freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight atroom temperaturebefore serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I usecorn flourinstead of cornmeal?Corn flouris finer than cornmeal and can be used for a different texture. However, cornmeal is preferred for traditional cornbread.
  • How can I make my cornbread more moist?Using buttermilk andvegetable oil, as in this recipe, helps to create amoist cornbread. Avoid overbaking, as this can dry out the bread.
  • Canleftover cornbreadbe used for anything else?Absolutely!Leftover cornbreadmakes great croutons,cornbread dressing, or can simply be enjoyed reheated with apat of butter.

Thiseasy buttermilk cornbread recipeis a greatside dish, offering aperfect balanceof sweetness and savory flavor. This is truly myfavorite cornbread recipe, and the one that I turn to over and over. In my book, there’s nothing better than apan of cornbreadwith somemelted butteroozing on top. It makes me want to cook a big pot of soup and have apiece of cornbreadright now. Who’s with me?

More Delicious Recipes

  • Crock Pot 15-Bean Soup
  • Navy Bean and Ham Soup
  • Chicken Cobbler
  • Ground Pork Chili
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Yield: 9 large servings or more smaller

A quick and easy buttermilk cornbread recipe that you'll make over and over again!

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Whisk together the sugar, oil and eggs just until combined. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cornmeal.
  3. Add about ⅓ of the dry ingredients and about ⅓ of the buttermilk to the sugar, oil and egg mixture and stir, continue until all is blended together.
  4. Pour into the greased baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top the is lightly browned.
Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe (Mom's Best!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Yankee cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

Why do people put cornbread in buttermilk? ›

We don't know who first poured buttermilk over their cornbread. It was likely hungry people who wouldn't dare throw away leftover cornbread, no matter how dry or stale, and used the milk to soften it up some.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

What are the ingredients in Martha White buttermilk cornbread Mix? ›

Enriched Degerminated White Corn Meal And Enriched Bleached Flour (Degerminated White Corn Meal, Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Dextrose, Canola Oil, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate), Buttermilk, Salt, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Guar Gum.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

What is the difference between New England and southern cornbread? ›

Northern cornbread isn't very sweet and is made with fewer eggs and yellow cornmeal to achieve a crumbly texture. Southern-style cornbread can be made with white or yellow cornmeal, has a buttery finish and calls for more eggs, which produces a cakelike texture.

What is cornbread and buttermilk called? ›

Also referred to as “crumble-in,” this hearty snack of cornbread doused in milk is beloved among communities in the Southern United States, stretching from Appalachian West Virginia to the heart of Texas.

Why do bakers love buttermilk? ›

Buttermilk is made up of a variety of acids – the results of the fermentation process, which give baked goods a couple of benefits. First, the acidity provides tangy flavor to balance all kinds of sweet baked treats. Second, it activates baking soda, producing the gas that makes dough or batter rise.

Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of buttermilk for cornbread? ›

They're not completely interchangeable. Yes, you can swap them in a recipe, but it's not as simple as switching buttermilk for heavy cream/heavy cream for buttermilk. For example, if you're replacing buttermilk with heavy cream you'll probably need to switch out your baking soda for baking powder.

Will an extra egg make cornbread less crumbly? ›

Eggs, or egg substitutes help add structure to the cornbread. Without an egg or substitute, the cornbread may crumble and fall apart easily.

Should you let cornbread batter rest? ›

1Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: We recommend allowing cornbread batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking, so if you prefer, you can delay heating the oven until you make the batter. 2Melt the butter, and then set aside to cool slightly.

Why does my cornbread always sink in the middle? ›

While not a professional chef, my experience with corn bread, be it packaged or made from scratch is if you over mix it, it's gonna fall! Also, let it sit for 4-5 minutes after gently scraping it into the pan and let the ingredients start their magic reactions. No peeking while baking!! That can make it fall too.

Can you use heavy cream instead of milk in cornbread mix? ›

You can substitute heavy cream for 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 cup sour cream, combined. You can also substitute the cream for milk. Use 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk plus 2 Tablespoons melted butter to the batter. The cornbread will have a close texture.

Can I use milk instead of water in Martha White cornbread mix? ›

Martha White Buttermilk Cornbread & Muffin Mix

Like the Martha White Cotton Country Cornbread, this bag of cornbread mix only requires water—or you could use milk.

What can I use in Jiffy cornbread instead of milk? ›

Water: The simplest substitute for milk in cornbread is water. You can use water as a 1:1 replacement for milk in your Jiffy cornbread recipe [3].

What is the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread? ›

In contrast to the dryer, less-sweet nature of Southern cornbread, Northern cornbread is much more cakey and sweet. Indeed, colonial Americans made their cornbread with molasses to sweeten it. Also, Northern cornbread sometimes uses milk rather than buttermilk.

What's another name for Southern cornbread? ›

What is another word for cornbread?
cornponehoecake
hushpuppyjohnnycake
spoonbreadcorn bread
cornmeal breadSouthern cornbread
corn muffincorn pone
2 more rows

What does Southern cornbread taste like? ›

The texture was coarse and crumbly, while the taste was plain and bland. Up until that point in my life, I had only consumed sweetened Yankee cornbread and was completely unaware of the savory Southern variety.

Is Southern cornbread sweet or savory? ›

Real, traditional, Southern-style cornbread is savory, not sweet, and always has been.

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