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Southern Cornbread Recipe

This Southern Cornbread recipe is homemade and made with cornmeal and buttermilk, and served with melted butter. This is a classic no-sugar soul food staple great for Sunday dinners, holidays, and Thanksgiving spreads.

southern cornbread on a flat surface

Key Ingredients

  • Buttermilk
  • Yellow Cornmeal
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Eggs
  • Butter
homemade cornbread mix in a glass bowl

What Type of Cornmeal to Use

You will need yellow cornmeal along with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. for the dry ingredients.

homemade cornbread mix in a glass bowl

How to Make Southern Cornbread

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Add melted butter to a cast iron skillet.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add in eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Stir.
  4. Pour the mixture into the pan.
  5. Bake.
homemade cornbread mix in a glass bowl

How Long to Bake

Bake for 20-25 minutes on 400 degrees.

Crispy Edges

To get a really crispy crust, be sure to add your batter to a piping hot, buttered skillet. This recipe will produce cornbread that has a crispy crust and a somewhat crumbly interior. Southern cornbread is typically a little crumbly, as it pairs well with chili, collard greens, stews, and more.

If you use a baking dish, you won’t get really crispy edges. The edges will be soft.

homemade cornbread mix in a glass bowl

Sweet Cornbread

Classic Southern cornbread isn’t served sweet, but you can sweeten it if you like. Using 1/2 cup will produce cornbread with a hint of sweetness. If you like really sweet cornbread, consider adding a cup of sugar or sweetener.

Cornbread that Falls Apart

Southern cornbread is meant to crumble a little bit. However, you should be able to slice it and remove pieces from the pan. It should crumble, but it shouldn’t be crumbly. It will begin to crumble as you are eating it.

Be sure not to over-mix the batter when you combine the dry and wet ingredients. Over-mixing will lead to cracks on top of the cornbread and then a lot of crumble within. Only mix well enough to combine the ingredients.

Southern cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Can You Make it Ahead?

If you’re planning for a gathering you can make cornbread the night before. In general, I prefer to serve mine fresh and it’s really simple to prepare.

Leftover cornbread will last in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

Freezer Tips

Wrap it in foil or in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.

Dishes to Pair with the Recipe

Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
Turnip Greens
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

slice of Southern cornbread with butter

More Cornbread Recipes

Oyster Dressing
African American Cornbread Dressing
Crockpot Slow Cooker Cornbread Dressing

Jiffy Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Jiffy Cornbread Recipe
Vegan Cornbread

southern cornbread on a flat surface
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4.67 from 6 votes

Southern Cornbread

This Southern Cornbread recipe is homemade and made with cornmeal and buttermilk, and served with melted butter. This is a classic no-sugar soul food staple great for Sunday dinners, holidays, and Thanksgiving spreads.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 16 slices
Calories 130kcal
Author Brandi Crawford

Ingredients

  • 2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs Beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted melted butter Measured solid.
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter For greasing the pan.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Add the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine the ingredients.
  • Add the eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter, and buttermilk. Stir to combine.
  • Do not over mix the batter. Over-mixing will lead to cracks in the crust and cornbread will fall apart and crumble. Mix well enough to combine the ingredients.
  • Place a 10 inch cast iron skillet on medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Allow it to melt and then grease the entire skillet including the edges.
    Alternatively, you can bake the cornbread in an 8×8 baking dish (greased).
  • While the skillet is hot, pour the mixture into the cast iron skillet.
  • Remove the pan from the stove and place it in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and return clean.
  • Allow the cornbread to cool for at least 20 minutes.
  • Slice the cornbread into servings.

Notes

  • Vegetable oil can be substituted for butter.
  • You can substitute/make your own buttermilk if you wish by combining milk and vinegar (or lemon). Get instructions on How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute here.
  • You can add sugar or sweetener to the cornbread if you prefer sweet cornbread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g
Recipe Rating




Virginia McCartney

Saturday 9th of September 2023

Finally, a REAL Southern cornbread recipe. Wonderful! The real thing!

Brandi Crawford

Sunday 10th of September 2023

I hope you enjoyed it!

Vicki Spinosa

Wednesday 23rd of November 2022

I searched and searched for a cornbread recipe that doesn't use equal parts flour to cornmeal and NO sugar and found this recipe. It is delicious and just what I wanted!

Brandi Crawford

Sunday 27th of November 2022

I'm so glad it was just what you wanted!