Classic Soul Food Cornbread (Printable)

Moist Southern-style cornbread baked in cast-iron skillet, enhanced with honey butter for rich flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup yellow cornmeal
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 3/4 teaspoon fine salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
10 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil

→ Skillet Preparation

11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Honey Butter Topping

12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 tablespoons honey
14 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a 10-inch cast-iron skillet inside to heat while preparing batter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, and vegetable oil until fully combined and smooth.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender crumb structure.
05 - Carefully remove the preheated skillet from oven. Add 2 tablespoons butter and swirl to evenly coat bottom and sides.
06 - Pour batter into the hot buttered skillet and smooth the top surface with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
08 - While cornbread bakes, beat softened butter with honey and salt in a small bowl until smooth and fluffy.
09 - Allow cornbread to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with honey butter on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare with pantry staples and simple techniques.
  • Classic Southern flavors delivering authentic soul food vibes.
  • Moist and tender texture with a golden, crispy crust.
  • Honey butter adds a luscious sweetness that complements the cornbread perfectly.
  • Versatile side dish suitable for barbecue, chili, or fried chicken.
02 -
  • Make sure your skillet is hot before adding batter to ensure a crisp crust.
  • Do not overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay to maintain tenderness.
  • Use softened butter for honey butter to achieve a smooth, fluffy spread.
  • Check for doneness with a toothpick to avoid drying out the cornbread.
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