Easy Moist Cornbread
This easy and moist cornbread recipe is a true southern treat made with tangy buttermilk and baked in a cast iron skillet to achieve the iconic crispy bottom. This one bowl recipe is incredibly versatile and is a great base recipe to create endless variations!
OVERVIEW
- Skill Level: Beginner
Let’s get this out of the way: I am not from the south. I am a Midwesterner who loves to bake and a student of baking things the “proper way.”
After testing many cornbread variations, I developed this recipe – one that I truly believe yields the best, most authentic southern-style cornbread. Using mostly cornmeal, a good amount of butter, a pinch of sugar, and buttermilk, this cornbread is exceptionally moist. To achieve that iconic crispy bottom, this cornbread bakes in a cast iron skillet.
What makes this cornbread easy, moist, and crispy
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No special tools or equipment required for this one bowl, one skillet cornbread recipe.
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For crispy-bottomed cornbread, bake the cornbread batter in a hot cast iron skillet. This is key and what makes this the best cornbread recipe.
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Melted butter and thick buttermilk keep this cornbread moist. After baking, I like to run a stick of butter over the top of the hot cornbread so that it soaks right in and stays even more moist and buttery.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Cornmeal
It’s no secret that cornmeal is the star in a cornbread recipe. White cornmeal is most commonly used in southern recipes, however the same amount of yellow cornmeal can be used as well. Yellow cornmeal tends to be a bit sweeter than white cornmeal.
For truly exceptional cornbread, use a high quality cornmeal. If you can find it, fresh stone ground cornmeal from a small mill gives the best results. I love using this Palmetto Farms Stone Ground White Cornmeal – you can really taste a difference!
If you don’t have access to fresh ground cornmeal, don’t fret. I’ve tested this recipe with generic store-bought cornmeal and it’s just as delicious. If you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand at making your own cornmeal and using that in this recipe.
All-purpose Flour
Does flour belong in a cornbread recipe? I’ve tested several cornbread recipes with varying amounts of flour – some without any, some with a little, and some with a high percentage. In my opinion, a small amount of flour really does wonders for the texture of the cornbread (especially cornbread made with generic cornmeal). Even with a little bit of flour, cornmeal remains the star ingredient of this moist cornbread recipe.
For a gluten free cornbread, replace the all-purpose flour with the same amount of a gluten free flour blend.
Butter
I greatly prefer making cornbread with melted butter instead of oil. Oil gives cornbread a lighter, tender cornbread, white butter adds richness and incredible flavor. If you’d prefer, you can use vegetable oil or canola oil in place of the butter.
If using salted butter in this recipe, reduce the added salt to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Sugar
While this recipe calls for a little sugar, this is not a sweet cornbread recipe. Sugar simply balances the flavors. For a sweeter cornbread recipe, use 132 grams (⅔ cup) of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk serves three purposes in this recipe: to give the bread flavor, tenderize the cornbread, and react with the baking soda to make the bread rise.
If you do not have buttermilk, make a substitute: add 1 ½ tablespoons of white vinegar (or lemon juice) to a glass measuring cup and add enough milk to equal 1 ½ cups. Stir and let this mixture sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.
Variation Ideas
Cornbread Muffins: Grease a 12-count muffin tin with non-stick spray and divide the batter between the muffin cups. (Muffin liners do not work well with cornbread recipes.) Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F/205°C and bake for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through.
Brown Butter Cornbread: Melt 10 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until the butter starts to smell nutty and turns a medium amber color. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Proceed with the recipe as written, but add an additional 2 tablespoons of buttermilk in step 3.
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread: Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the dry ingredients. After the wet and dry ingredients are combined, gently fold in 113 grams (4 ounces, 1 ¼ cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 80 grams (⅔ cup) chopped fresh jalapeños.
Bacon Scallion Cornbread: Cook 4 slices of thick-cut bacon. Chop the slices into small pieces or crumbles. Gently add the bacon pieces and 8 thinly sliced scallions to the batter and combine.
How to make easy moist cornbread
This homemade cornbread recipe couldn’t be easier to make. It’s buttery, soft but crispy, and comes together in minutes.
Melt the butter
While the oven and cast iron skillet preheat, melt the butter in a saucepan on the stove set to medium-low heat or in the microwave. If using the microwave, microwave the butter at half power for 30 seconds and then in 15 second increments until almost completely melted. Stir the butter together for a few seconds until fully melted.
Set aside 2 tablespoons of the melted butter to use to grease the skillet. The remaining butter will go into the cornbread batter. Let it cool slightly while you gather the rest of the ingredients.
Mix the batter
Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl: cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Whisk together until combined.
To the same bowl, add in the wet ingredients: buttermilk, eggs, and the larger amount of melted butter. Gently stir together until everything is incorporated. You don’t want to over-mix the batter or it will become dense.
Bake
Carefully remove the pre-heated cast iron skillet from the oven. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the skillet. Use an oven mitt to hold the skillet and swirl the butter around the bottom of the skillet, until completely coated. Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet and immediately place into the hot oven.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
Two Optional Extra Steps:
Crispy Cornbread Top: For a crispy top, place the skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely so the top doesn’t burn!
Extra Butter: To keep the cornbread moist and buttery, unwrap one end of a stick of butter and run it over the top of the baked cornbread while it is still hot. The butter will seep into the bread, adding extra moistness and flavor.
Serve warm with butter and a drizzle of honey.
FAQ
Which pan is best for cornbread?
A cast iron skillet is the best pan to use for cornbread – it gives cornbread that signature crispy bottom crust and edges. Although a cast iron skillet is the traditional way to bake cornbread, there are other options if you don’t have one. Instead of a cast iron skillet, use a glass or metal baking pan (like a cake pan) for cornbread. Coat the bottom and sides of the pan with butter, but do not preheat this pan in the oven as you would if using a skillet.
Baking cornbread in a glass or metal pan yields a softer, more cake-like cornbread.
Is melted butter or oil better for cornbread?
For a rich, indulgent flavor, I prefer using melted butter. Oil works in a pinch, but cornbread made with oil is lighter, less dense, and less flavorful.
What goes well with cornbread?
Cornbread is such a great side dish and a delicious addition to any meal. Serve with soups, stews, pot roast, or barbecue. My very favorite way to serve cornbread, however, is topped with homemade chili and all of the toppings like sour cream and shredded cheese.
Prep and Storage
Room Temperature or Refrigerator: Wrap leftover cornbread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Tightly wrap a single layer of cornbread in plastic wrap. Place in a zipper bag (this will help prevent freezer burn) and freeze for up to 3 months.
Make Ahead: Make and bake cornbread up to 3 days before serving. When ready to serve, wrap it in aluminum foil (this will keep it from drying out) and bake at 350°F/175°C for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
MORE RECIPES FROM BAKER BETTIE!
If you enjoyed this great recipe, you might like to try these other delicious savory quick bread recipes.
Easy Moist Cornbread Recipe
This easy and moist cornbread recipe is a true southern treat made with tangy buttermilk and cooked in a cast iron skillet to achieve the iconic crispy bottom. This one bowl recipe is incredibly versatile and is a great base recipe to create endless variations!
Ingredients
- 140 grams (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, divided
- 240 grams (2 cups) cornmeal (good quality stone ground cornmeal preferred)
- 60 grams (½ cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
- 25 grams (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
- 360 grams (1 ½ cups, 360 milliliters) buttermilk, room temperature*
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Instructions
Prep
- Position an oven rack to the center position and place a well seasoned 10 inch or 12 inch (25 or 30 cm) cast iron skillet inside. Preheat the oven to 450°F/230°C. (Preheating the skillet helps create cornbread with a crispy bottom.)
Make the cornbread
- While the oven and cast iron skillet preheat, melt the butter (140 grams/ 10 tablespoons) in a saucepan on the stove or slowly in the microwave. Once completely melted, set aside about 2 tablespoons to use to grease the skillet. The remaining butter will be used in the batter. Set both aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cornmeal (240 grams/ 2 cups), all-purpose flour (60 grams/ ½ cup), baking powder (1 ½ teaspoons), baking soda (½ teaspoon), salt (1 ¾ teaspoons), and sugar (25 grams/ 2 tablespoons). Whisk together until combined.
- Add in the buttermilk (360 grams/ 1 ½ cups), eggs (2 large), and the larger amount of melted butter (8 tablespoons). Stir until everything is just incorporated- try not to over-mix.
- Carefully remove the hot cast iron skillet from the oven. Add the remaining melted butter (about 2 tablespoons) to the skillet and swirl it around until the bottom is coated. Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet and immediately place the skillet back into the hot oven.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. For a crispier top, put it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching it very closely.
- Optional: Run a stick of butter over the top of the baked cornbread while it is still hot. The butter will seep into the bread and keep it extra moist and flavorfulnd keep it extra moist and delicious.
Notes
* See the post above for ingredient substitutions.
If you do not have a cast-iron skillet:
Use an 8 or 9 inch (20 or 23 cm) square or round baking pan. Do not preheat it. Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter directly in the pan, swirl it around, then add the batter. Bake at 400°F/205°C for about 23-28 minutes.
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157 Comments on “Easy Moist Cornbread”
450 is way too hot to be cooking this for 20min. I just did it and it burnt my cornbread. Either turn the temp down or decrease the cook time. You can always leave it in a little longer but you can’t come back from a ruined loaf.
Oh no, I’m so sorry! I wonder if your oven is a bit too hot. Do you have an oven thermometer? This recipe has been tested many times with great results. What kind of pan are you using?
I’d drop to 425. I took mine out (450 like recipe) and it was super brown. I think 2 more minutes would have crossed over todl the burnt taste. I also am curious about other recipes that heat the skillet 425 add the butter same as here, but after adding the batter turn down to 350 and bake longer.
Mine was perfect at 450 for 20 minutes. Thinking it must be differences in oven heat or pan like the chef suggests
Very true…. 400 degrees is enough heat.
Good morning and Merry Christmas! I LOVE your recipes! I was wondering if I could use gluten free flour on your corn bread recipe??
I’ve used bobs red mill 1:1 for many recipes
This is a tried and tested recipe for real. I’m so happy to have found it. I don’t usually add baking soda but it makes a world of difference and the tip for making buttermilk was great. This will be my go to recipe from now on.
Im so glad you enjoy it!
Hi @bakerbettie,
Thank you for this recipe! My mom loves corn bread, muffins, on the cobb, basically anything corn.
I just added 1 tsp of salt, added one cup of flour (by mistake) and baked at 420 instead of 450 degrees. It turned out great! Very soft and crunchy around the edges
I have photos, but not sure how to send them.
Glad it worked out!
I personally don’t like cornbread but must say that it is good. Family love it repeat cooking for dinner. Best recipe ever
Awesome!
I love this recipe! I make it all of the time! The one thing I’d like to note is that you stated that 2 cups of cornmeal is 240 grams. That’s accurate for wheat flour, but looking at my back of Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal, 2 cups end up being 304 grams.
thanks for your feedback!
I am an old Southern cook, but I’ve never mastered cornbread.
It’s a long story.
This is the first recipe for cornbread I’ve ever tried that turned out perfectly.
Thank you!
Great job!
This recipe was horrible 2tsp of kosher salt. Cornbread was salty had to throw it out an make a new batch.
Make sure you use unsalted butter and you level off your teaspoons!
Same here – way too salty. I used unsalted butter and 2 level teaspoons of Morton kosher salt. Maybe you are using another brand. Other than that, fantastic recipe!
This happens if you use sea salt or a specialty salt. so because I use sea salt, I reduced the amount of salt the next times and it was great! BEST CORNBREAD EVER!! It’s a hit with family and friends.
If I am using pre-cooked cornmeal would the recipe need to be adjusted?
Thanks!
I think you would need to find a recipe that specifically calls for that. I’m not sure how it work out with this one.
Best cornbread EVER! No, really… THE best ever!
Thank you for the recipe!
Thanks so much!
This is so true. Best cornbread ever!
I don’t usually leave comments, but I just made this and it was great! Every bit as good as Marie Calendar’s cornbread! My wife loved it!
I’m so glad!
I know it’s summer, but had to make a skillet of this to go with some beans. Used Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1:1, vegan butter, 3 eggs vs 2, and soy milk+1T vinegar for buttermilk (very finicky diets around here). The cast-iron pan I have is high-sided but it baked up beautifully. Baked 450F convection with no adjustment to temp. Did not burn. Nice browning on top. I’ve had a little bite and it is moist, not sweet. Could be a keeper!
I used 2 teaspoons salt (leveled off) and unsalted butter, and it was WAY too salty. Practically inedible. Frankly, I had to throw it out. If I do make this again, I’m only going to use 1 teaspoon.
I keep trying others and I keep coming back to this cornbread recipe. Every time I say, “now THAT is cornbread.”
So glad you like it!
Tried this recipe a few times in my old cast iron skillet and it tastes as good as my Ma-ma’s [my grandmother’s] recipe. Hers was AUTHENTIC southern cornbread from the farm at the Louisiana – Arkansas border with bacon drippings on top before baking.
Love the research done about the history of corn used in cornbread and how our current practices change the flavor of the cornbread we produce today.
THANK YOU, Bettie! I’m a big fan of your exacting research and testing standards!
I have a 15″ cast iron and I was thinking I would double the recipe; do you think that would be okay?
I don’t think that will be big enough. You might only fit about 3/4 of the batter.
Can you use self rising meal in their recipe.
This recipe produced a perfect cornbread! There’s nothing like a cast iron skillet to bring this dish to life….crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Thanks for sharing!!
So glad you liked it! And I agree 😉
I am great at making cornbread! True southern gal here, & definitely an iron skillet is the way to go! THIS CORNBREAD TOPS IT ALL! For those that say, it’s too salty year to buttery or whatever they’re probably just not true southerners, lol! I just wanna tell you that my family is in love with this cornbread and that’s all I make anymore when I make cornbread! Job well done this recipe is absolutely hands-down OUT OF THIS WORLD AH-MAAA-ZING!! Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for the kind review! I’m so happy you like it!
It was excellent, I added a chopped up jalapeno and some corn niblets to it. So quick and satisfying. For those who commented that it was too salty, I think they might not know the difference between kosher salt and table salt as I used kosher salt (and unsalted butter) and it was just right. If you are using regular salt you would use half the amount.
It depends on what part of the South you are from that decides if you’ll be eating white or yellow cornbread. I am from Louisiana and never had white cornbread until i moved to Georgia. White cornbread is most served here but I have had yellow served to me in restaurants too. I have had yellow cornbread served sweet and not sweet. I love all versions of this Southern staple, white or yellow. I make all of them intermittently, depending on what meal I am serving.
That’s so interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I think the problem might be its says to preheat oven at 450. But it should be baked
400. I just used less table salt 1 teas. Thanks
If using a cast iron skillet it should be baked a 450F. If you’re using a baking pan other than a skillet then you should bake at 400F.
In my country, we don’t do cornbread. It’s not part of our culture. But I really needed to find a recipe to make some Chili Cornbread Casserole for my American boyfriend and I decided to try this one first. Since I don’t know what “Kosher” salt means, and that I wouldn’t want to use that anyway, and given the comments I read about the cornbread being too salty, I chose to add 1 single teaspoon of table salt. I used a round, basic baking pan. Other than that, I strictly followed each step of the recipe and did exactly as instructed. I decided to leave my oven at 230°C and baked the cornbread for 15 to 20 minutes. The result clearly exceeded my expectations. The cornbread looked exactly like the photos posted on this page, the taste and texture were absolutely divine, not too salty, moist and just perfect. My first cornbread ever was a success and I don’t need any other recipe. This is the one I’m going to keep for years to come. No need to say the Chili Cornbread Casserole reached levels of scrumptiousness never reached before. I am super pleased!!!
Made this tonight & paired it with Baby back ribs & mashed potatoes. Followed everything but used only 1 teaspoon of salt as it was regular table salt. Not at all to salty. Will experiment next time with more sugar to be a little more sweeter. Great recipe overall.
Wonderful! Ribs, mashed potatoes, and cornbread sounds PERFECT!
Great recipe! Thanks.
I put in 2 cobs worth of raw freshly-shucked sweet corn, 2 diced jalapeños from my garden, 2 cups of dried corn and 60 grams of Red Fife wheat berries both of which I milled at home ( right before I started) and a cup of grated organic pepper jack cheese. I also decreased the butter to 8 tablespoons and the sugar to 1 tablespoon. Obviously, I did things my way, but the base cornbread recipe is very good. Thanks again!
Hi. I have had your recipe pinned for a couple years now and have always enjoyed the product. It seems this is a new version as the previous included honey? Would it be possible to share that one please?
Made a pan of corn bread using this recipe and yellow corn meal we ground ourselves. Wow! it was really good. It rose good, browned really well, and was really moist it went good with fried pork chop, fresh turnip greens, and baked sweet potato. We plan to eat leftover cornbread with the pot of venison chili tonight. I can’t wait to make this recipe using cornmeal made from some of the Jimmy Red corn we grew this year! Thank You!
Made this last night and followed recipe to the letter except for the un-salted butter (didn’t realize I grabbed the wrong one). Cornbread was good except slightly salty as expected due to the butter. Only other issue was it was drier than I had expected but after reading some comments here, I may try it again at 425.
Also, If I wanted to add yellow cake mix would I substitute it for the flour? I have no culinary or baking education except trial and error so not sure on the substitution possibilities.
Hi, if you have an oven thermometer I would check your oven just in case it’s slightly off (they usually are a little bit at least). I also like to run a stick of butter over the top after it comes out of the oven. It runs down and keeps the cornbread moist. I don’t suggest adding yellow cake mix- are you trying to make a cake? I would follow the directions on the mix for that.
Wow, I am way over 70 years old and have finally found the perfect cornbread recipe. I have made it twice this week already and it is a hit ! Thank you Bettie !
You’re welcome, enjoy!
OMG. I didn’t even know I liked cornbread! I didn’t have buttermilk so I replaced it with full fat yogurt and heavy cream to give it some tang that buttermilk would have had. Not sure if this is why it was so dang moist and delicious but it really was. I also only used one teaspoon of salt. And I also used a scale for the dry ingredients.
So so good. Had some warm out of the oven with honey…. So delicious
I hope this emoji means I find this cornbread so delicious, I’m drooling! Yum!
You forgot to say yalla corn meal not white. That’s yellow for all ya non southanas. It ain’t the butta that makes it yalla!
White corn bread is a mystery to me. Maybe it goes with Navy beans. Lol.
Delicious! Even my husband, who does not eat cornbread, liked it.
I made it with fresh ground corn just as the recipe is written and it turned out great!
I tried this corn bread and it turned out exactly like the picture here and it was delicious and the left overs even more so.
I’m so happy you liked it!
Made this! Nice and soft. The cast iron pan made a terrific crust. Yes-salty. Use less. I turned down the heat to 425 and mine was done in about 29 min!