Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (2024)

All southern kitchens need a great cornbread recipe. You can’t have a Sunday dinner, potluck or even make chicken & dressing without a big pone of cornbread. No matter if you’re having a bowl of chili, or maybe white beans and turnip greens or just want it in a big glass of milk – this recipe is perfect for any way you eat it. This was the very first thing I ever learned to cook, as it was the “starter” recipe my mama let me do in the kitchen to help her when I was a little girl. It’s an easy quick bread recipe that works for any great meal.

Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (1)

Classic Southern Cornbread Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups of self-rising corn meal mix (I grew up on Martha White)
  • 1/2 cup of self-rising flour (again, Martha White)
  • 1/4 cup melted vegetable shortening (Crisco)
  • 2 large whole eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions:

Heat up oven to 400 degrees with a cast iron skillet inside. Put the shortening into the skillet and let it melt.

In a large mixing bowl,add in the corn meal mix, flour, eggs & buttermilk. Whisk together until combined well.

Take the pan of shortening out of the oven, and carefully pour the melted liquid into the cornbread mix. Stir to blend together. Pour the mixture into the cast iron skillet, then bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it browns well on top and starts to pull away a bit from the sides of the pan.

Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (2)

Besides the normal way to eat cornbread with savory meals, I also love to have it slathered in butter with a light drizzle of honey on top. It may be not truly southern, but I’m ok with that! It’s gastronomical heaven, no matter how you slice it.

Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (3)

Print

Classic southern cornbread recipe

Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2cupsof self-rising corn meal mixI grew up on Martha White
  • 1/2cupof self-rising flouragain, Martha White
  • 1/4cupmelted vegetable shorteningCrisco
  • 2large whole eggs
  • 1 1/2cupsbuttermilk

Instructions

  1. Heat up oven to 400 degrees with a cast iron skillet inside. Put the shortening into the skillet and let it melt.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, add in the corn meal mix, flour, eggs & buttermilk. Whisk together until combined well.

  3. Take the pan of shortening out of the oven, and carefully pour the melted liquid into the cornbread mix. Stir to blend together.

  4. Pour the mixture into the cast iron skillet, then bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

  5. You’ll know it’s ready when it browns well on top and starts to pull away a bit from the sides of the pan.

Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (4)

Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (5)

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a co*cktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

« How to Clean Cast Iron

Comments

  1. Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (7)Melissa says

    Thanks for the memories on the cornbread. I have a square skillet that my Granny gave me when I first got married. She had it when she got married. I am now 67 so that skillet is still a workin. I make my cornbread gluten free and no one can tell the difference. Always a good standby.

    Reply

    • Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (8)Gina Luker says

      Wow, Melissa, that is so awesome, I bet it is well seasoned 🙂

      Reply

  2. Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (9)Paula Holbrook says

    I appreciate your great recipes; but would like to be able to print them.
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (10)Gina Luker says

      Thanks Paula, you would need to copy and paste it to someplace that will let you print it 🙂

      Reply

  3. Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (11)Norma Rolader says

    Sounds yummy and like my mothers but she has never put flour in …. but I think I will have to try

    Reply

  4. Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (12)D says

    Hallelujah! NO sugar added! Being from the South, I have such a hard time with those who add sweetener to a corn bread recipe. Can never order corn bread at an eating establishment because I get “corn cake” instead! I always ask “Do you have corn bread or corn cake?” I usually get a blank stare because these poor souls don’t know any better!

    Reply

    • Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (13)Gina Luker says

      I am with you D 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Cornbread recipe - the classic southern version (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

She notes that Northern cornbread is sweeter, lighter, and more cake-like than Southern cornbread. Not surprisingly, it includes sugar (or molasses, in the earlier centuries), unlike traditional Southern cornbread.

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.

Which makes better cornbread white or yellow cornmeal? ›

Southerners, on the other hand, tend to prefer white cornmeal. Many people believe that it is because, in the old South, families used white cornmeal as it more closely resembled “fancy” European wheat flour. In any case, today it remains a main component in traditional Southern buttermilk cornbread.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

I want to keep the cornbread taste, just less crumbly! I recommend extra egg yolk, adding corn, and using cast iron to bake. Also, try a little lower temperature.

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

There are some basic differences between Southern corn-bread and what many people call "Yankee" cornbread. Southern cornbread, besides being made from white corn meal, has very little sugar in it - between a teaspoon and a tablespoon. And it is made with buttermilk.

What is cornbread called in the South? ›

Corn pones are a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine and have been discussed or referenced by many American writers, including Mark Twain.

Why is cornbread not healthy? ›

The exact nutritional profile of cornbread can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, cornbread generally contains high amounts of carbs, phosphorus, and sodium in each serving. One piece of cornbread prepared from a commercially prepared mix contains ( 2 ): Calories: 198.

Is cornbread good or bad for diabetics? ›

Cornbread can help you control your blood sugar levels.

Cornbread is made with whole grain cornmeal, making it an excellent choice for people trying to control their blood sugar levels as eating whole grains has been linked to better blood sugar control.

Is traditional Southern cornbread sweet? ›

What is the sugar content in a batch of homemade Southern style cornbread recipe? It SHOULDN'T have sugar in it. That's Yankee style southern cornbread. It should be made with an egg, buttermilk, baking soda, a dash of salt, a little flour, and finally cornmeal- preferably the yellow.

Can you put too many eggs in cornbread? ›

Eggs are responsible for giving baked goods structure, which means the amount you use directly affects the resulting texture. Using too few eggs will make your desserts dense, but using too many will make them rubbery. The explanation for this lies in the fact that eggs are made up of protein.

What grind of cornmeal is best for cornbread? ›

As for the best cornmeal for cornbread, either fine- or medium-grind cornmeal is a great choice. Medium-grind cornmeal will bring slightly more texture and grittiness to the batter, which you may or may not want (it's up to you!). You can use fine or medium cornmeal in these extra corny muffins.

What kind of corn is best for cornbread? ›

But one of the easiest ways to jazz up a basic cornbread is by adding sweet corn, which creates more layers of that sweet and sunny flavor. Fresh corn is always best if it's in season, cut straight off the cob, but frozen is nearly as good. Just let the corn thaw and then drain it completely, patting dry if needed.

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 Jiffy cornbread fall apart? ›

Why Is Jiffy Mix So Crumbly? The recipe on the box doesn't give the batter as much moisture as I like in my cornbread, which is why it can sometimes turn out crumbly. Adding in the sour cream and vegetable oil makes a huge difference and makes the best moist cornbread.

Why does my cornbread fall apart when I cut it? ›

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 is different about Southern cornbread? ›

Northern cornbreads tend to be more cake-like, on the sweet side, with a finer crumb due to more flour in the mixture. Southern cornbread is flavored with bacon grease, and cooked in a cast iron skillet, a perfect side for barbecues, or chili. It also tends to be rather crumbly.

What is Southern cornbread made of? ›

It is commonly called "cornbread" in the Southern United States and is not known by a different name in this region. Cornbread is a simple bread that is made by mixing cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and milk to form a batter, which is then baked in the oven.

Should Southern cornbread be sweet? ›

In 1892, a Times correspondent, after enumerating the many types of corn-based breads eaten in Virginia, noted, "It will be observed that in none of them is sugar used. There are cornmeal puddings served with sweet sauces, but no Southern cook would risk the spoiling of her cornbreads by sweetening them."

Is real Southern cornbread sweet? ›

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

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6295

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.