Best Sweet Cornbread Recipe {Buttermilk Cornbread}
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You have found it, the best sweet cornbread recipe on the internet — well, we think so! This Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread is a deliciously moist quick bread, with a slightly sweet and tender crumb; serve warm dripping with butter and honey. The perfect winter side with chili, soups and stews or for a summer potluck or BBQ! And you cannot celebrate Halloween without a big pan of sweet cornbread!
I have never been a fan of dry, tasteless cornbread, which is why I love this recipe! It’s a bit like Marie Calendar’s sweet cornbread; almost like a cake, but not as sweet!
If you are making this delicious cornbread recipe with buttermilk, then you need something to go with it? Our favorites are of course Firecracker Chili (spicy, but not hot, unless you want it to be), my brand new Colorado Green Chile recipe and so delicious with this Creamy Poblano Chicken Soup.
We also really enjoy it with barbecue; like this Oven Baked Beef Brisket or Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
Isn’t everything better with bread? For me it is, like these delicious Sweet Molasses Brown Bread Rolls or this quick and tasty Beer bread.
Why You Will Love this Cornbread Recipe with Buttermilk
I love this sweet buttermilk cornbread, it’s not overly sweet and is just bursting with good corn-iness (yes I am corny and proud of it, it’s a German thing). Nothing like what you will get out of a box! Toss that box out, this comes together so darn quick and the taste is far superior to any box mix.
- Superior to anything you will make from a boxed mix! Trust me!
- Comes together in just a few minutes!
- Use hand or stand mixer, or easily mix by hand.
Ingredients for Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
Here is a picture of all of the ingredients, but the full list of ingredients and directions are in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- BUTTERMILK | Can you make a cornbread recipe without buttermilk? YES! Will it be as good? NO! If you do not have buttermilk have no fear, you can QUICKLY make your own. See the tip below!
- CORNMEAL | Be sure not to use cornbread mix, that has all of the ingredients already in it, we just want plain cornmeal, since it’s kind of the star of the show, use a high quality cornmeal. This is what I used.
- BUTTER | This is almost a lighter version of a cake, butter will give it richness, and a tender crumb.
- BAKING POWDER | Not to be confused with baking soda and we’ll use a lot, this will give the sweet cornbread a beautiful lift. Try and use a brand that doesn’t have added aluminum.
- DRY INGREDIENTS | You will also need all-purpose flour and some sugar, I used unbleached flour and all-natural cane sugar, but whatever you have should work just fine!
HINT | No buttermilk? No problem! Using a 1 cup liquid measuring cup, add 2 teaspoons of vinegar (white is best) or lemon juice to the measuring cup, then fill with milk to the ⅔ mark. Stir, let sit for 5 minutes.
Simple Directions
In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer; cream together butter and sugar using a hand mixer (or use a wooden spoon and whip well!)
Add eggs mixing until combined. Then add milk and butter with mixer on low speed, so you don’t slosh it all out!
With mixer on low or stir, pour in the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt and slowly incorporate, scraping down the sides of the bowl once.
Pour mixture into greased 9×13 inch baking pan (or line with parchment paper).
TFC PRO TIP | This sweet buttermilk cornbread freezes great, sometimes I will make in two 8×8 pans and freeze one for another day!
Cornbread recipe without Buttermilk
So maybe you don’t like buttermilk, okay, I understand that. The good news is that buttermilk doesn’t really flavor the cornbread, instead it adds some much needed acidity to the batter, providing lift, tender crumb and an overall great taste. But if you still don’t want to use it, try these substitutions:
- Substitute an equal amount of regular milk
- Try replacing with sour cream or Greek yogurt which will bring that acidity back to this tender quick bread.
Bake in preheat 400°F for 22-27 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Try not to overbake this cornbread recipe! Pulling away from the sides of the pan and a slight golden color indicates doneness! The one above was a slightly over baked to be honest!
Cut into squares and serve warm with honey and butter. These mini spatulas are one of the most used tools in my kitchen. I have 3 of them and use them multiple times a day.
This cornbread recipe was first posted October of 2017, I am updating for a better reader experience.
Variations
We love this buttermilk cornbread with butter and honey, we don’t eat this everyday, so when I make it we indulge a bit!
- SPICY? | If you love things with a little kick, add a 4 oz can of diced green chiles (drained) or jalapeños to the batter and be sure to serve with this Copycat Mikes Hot Honey!
- CHEESY JALAPENO CORNBREAD | Add 8 oz of shredded cheese, our favorites for this would be Colby Jack and Sharp Cheddar cheese, plus add 3 tablespoons minced (seeded) jalapeños, bake as directed. Same as above with the hot honey.
Frequently Asked Questions
I think that cornbread should be kept pure, made without whole corn, but a good cornmeal. When you add corn it turns into a spoon bread, corn soufflé or corn pudding.
This California born and raised girl, now Colorado girl thinks so, but hey, I am not Southern. I loved this from article from Southern Living it’s a screaming-hot topic every day around the Southern Living offices. The truth is, Southerners have strong opinions about their cornbread. Sweet or Savory? From what I read, the jury is out, it’s split, some love it with sugar, some love it without!
Yes! Melt a tablespoon or two butter in the cast iron skillet ahead of time, I place in the oven while preheating use at least a cast iron skillet (my favorite). Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees and pour in cornbread batter, bake 20-25 minutes.
While I have not tried this, since you are using cornmeal which is naturally gluten-free, I would substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite GF AP-Flour. Let me know how it turns out!
Cover dish with aluminum foil, or remove desired number of pieces and wrap in foil and reheat in preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
YES! Be sure to grease the pans well, may be made in 8 or 9 inch square or round pans. Start checking for doneness at about 18 minutes.
What to Serve with Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we love it best with any chili recipe! But here are a few others you might enjoy it with:
- Any creamy soup is delicious with sweet cornbread! Try it with this Panera Autumn Squash Soup!
- So comforting with a hearty Beef Soup, Sunday Pot Roast or this Beer Beef Stew!
- Try it with a crisp green salad; Cobb Salad or this Tarragon Chicken Salad or both filling, delicious salads.
Storage
Cornbread will keep for 4-5 days on the counter, in an airtight container. Be sure to reheat before serving!
Freeze cornbread that has been well wrapped for up to 4 months. Reheat by wrapping in aluminum foil, warm for 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
BE SURE TO PIN TO YOUR FAVORITE BOARD!
Love quick breads?
- Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits (ready in 20 minutes!)
- Russian Black Bread (for bread machine)
- Easy Beer Bread or Cheddar Beer Popovers
- 4 Ingredient Irish Soda Bread + Gluten Free Option
Like this recipe?
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Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup butter, softened (salted or unsalted)
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ⅔ cup buttermilk*, *see notes below for substitution
- 2 ⅓ cups flour, all-purpose, unbleached
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Add eggs, milk and buttermilk* and mix well. Add flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Mix until combined, trying not to over mix. Scoop batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
- Bake at 400°F for 22-25 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool a few minutes, then cut into squares and serve with a pat of butter, drizzled with honey.
Video
✱ Kathleen’s Tips
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
OMG….that was the best cornbread. I like it a little sweet and that was perfect. Made it in a cast iron pan and the edges and top was perfectly crunchy and inside was incredibly moist. Thank you for sharing.
Oh that sounds amazing Lori! I’ll have to make in my cast iron pan the next time!
I made this recipe for a Christmas Eve open house, served with honey butter and chili. So many people commented on how delicious the cornbread was. I making the cheddar jalapeño variant tonight for New Year’s Eve. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!
So glad you loved it Denise! And I bet your Cheddar Jalapeño version last night was amazing!! Happy New Year!
Served it last week with our chili! It’s my new favorite cornbread recipe!
YAY, love hearing this! Thanks Michaela!
This sweet cornbread recipe has Thanksgiving written all over! Also can’t wait to try with chili.
Thanks Nikki, you will love it!
Cornbread PERFECTION! I like mine sweet, and this was just what I wanted. We’ll be serving this all fall and winter long.
Yippeee! Love hearing this Erin, thank you!
Tender and delicious! I’m not a fan of overly sweet corn bread, so this is perfection for us! Served with a big bowl of chili. Plain with honey along with a cup of coffee is such a treat too!
This recipe is absolutely delicious. It went with our Chili Verde perfectly. It’s so moist and I love slathering it with a bit of honey for a sweet/spicy combination.
Absolutely perfect!
Good! Will be making this again!
LOVE IT! It was a big hit! Trying your jalapeño version next!
Love hearing this Michelle!
This corn bread was fantastic. I made chili and served it with this bread. Moist and sweet but not too sweet. Perfect!
Ya baby…bring on the corn bread…my FAVORITE!
You will love it Bob!!
I have tried soooooo many different recipes for cornbread and non of them were ever any good. They were always dry and gritty. This recipe I can’t say enough good things about the. It came out so moist and so good. It is exactly how cornbread should be. Such great flavor so yummy and sweet. Oh man so good. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe..It is most definitely a keeper..!!