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This Honey Butter Cornbread is a delightful twist on traditional cornbread, cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet for a crispy exterior and moist, tender interior. The cornbread is topped with a luscious honey butter glaze that takes it to a whole new level of flavor, making it the perfect side dish to complement your favorite meals. It’s rich, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 ½ cups fine yellow cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons honey
2 large eggs
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for skillet

Honey Butter Topping

3 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons honey

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F and place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven to preheat.
In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, honey, and eggs. Whisk until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
Fold in the melted butter until just incorporated.
Carefully remove the preheated skillet from the oven, add 2 tablespoons of butter, and coat the skillet with the melted butter.
Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet and smooth the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cornbread is baking, prepare the honey butter topping by whisking together melted butter and honey.
Once the cornbread is done, immediately pour the honey butter over the top and spread evenly. Let it sit for a few minutes to soak in.
Slice and serve warm.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 300
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Sodium: 550mg

Why Choose Honey Butter Cornbread?

Honey Butter Cornbread is the ideal side dish for a variety of meals. Its sweetness from the honey butter glaze complements savory dishes like chili, roasted meats, or barbecued chicken. The tender, buttery texture of the cornbread is a satisfying contrast to the crisp exterior, making every bite a treat.

What makes this version of cornbread special is the addition of the honey butter topping, which not only adds flavor but also keeps the cornbread moist and adds a rich finish. The use of buttermilk makes the cornbread extra tender, while the dark brown sugar enhances the sweetness and depth of flavor. The result is a beautifully golden and flavorful cornbread that’s simple yet decadent.

Key Ingredients and Flavor Profile

This Honey Butter Cornbread uses a simple set of ingredients that come together beautifully. Let’s take a closer look at the components:

Cornmeal: The foundation of this cornbread, fine yellow cornmeal creates the characteristic texture of cornbread—crumbly, slightly gritty, but still soft and tender.
Flour: All-purpose flour adds structure to the cornbread, ensuring it holds together while still maintaining its softness.
Brown Sugar: The dark brown sugar adds a deep sweetness and a slight molasses flavor, which pairs beautifully with the honey in both the batter and the glaze.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the cornbread rise, creating that perfect fluffy texture.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a key ingredient in many cornbread recipes because it adds tang and moisture, resulting in a rich, tender crumb.
Honey: The sweetness of the honey is balanced by the salt in the cornbread and enhances the overall flavor, giving it a lovely depth without being overpowering.
Butter: The melted butter provides richness to the cornbread, helping to achieve that golden color and adding flavor to both the batter and the honey butter topping.

Cooking Honey Butter Cornbread

Making this cornbread is a simple and straightforward process, with just a few steps to follow:

Preheat the Skillet: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F. Place your 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven to heat up. This is important because a hot skillet helps create that delicious crispy bottom for your cornbread.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. These ingredients form the base of your cornbread, so make sure they’re well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, honey, and eggs, and whisk until well combined. This mixture will provide the liquid for your cornbread batter.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep the batter a little lumpy.
Add Butter: Fold in the melted butter. This step ensures the cornbread is rich and moist.
Prepare the Skillet: Carefully remove the preheated skillet from the oven, and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Swirl the butter around to coat the bottom and sides of the skillet, creating a flavorful crust for the cornbread.
Bake: Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cornbread should be golden brown and slightly crispy on top.
Prepare the Honey Butter: While the cornbread is baking, whisk together the remaining melted butter and honey to make the honey butter topping.
Top with Honey Butter: Once the cornbread is baked, immediately pour the honey butter over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes to soak into the cornbread, enhancing its flavor and moisture.
Serve: Slice the cornbread while it’s still warm, and serve as a side dish or enjoy on its own with a little extra honey butter if you like.

Serving Suggestions

This Honey Butter Cornbread is incredibly versatile and can complement a wide range of dishes. Here are some great ideas for serving it:

With Chili: Cornbread and chili are a classic pairing. The sweetness of the cornbread pairs wonderfully with the savory, spicy flavors of chili.
With Barbecue: Serve it alongside grilled meats or barbecue for a hearty, satisfying meal. The richness of the cornbread is the perfect match for smoky flavors.
For Breakfast: Try this cornbread as part of a hearty breakfast or brunch. Serve it with scrambled eggs and bacon for a comforting start to your day.
As a Snack: On its own, Honey Butter Cornbread makes for a delicious afternoon snack or a treat with tea or coffee.

Nutritional Profile of Honey Butter Cornbread

Each serving of Honey Butter Cornbread contains approximately 300 calories, with 16 grams of fat. While this dish is indulgent, the richness of the butter and honey makes it a special treat that’s perfect for occasions. The cornbread provides 35 grams of carbohydrates, making it filling and satisfying, and 5 grams of protein for added nutrition. It’s also a great source of calcium, thanks to the butter and buttermilk, and provides a good amount of fiber at 4 grams per serving.

Customization Options

While this cornbread recipe is delicious as is, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your preferences:

Add Mix-ins: You can add corn kernels, cheddar cheese, or jalapeños for added flavor. These ingredients complement the sweetness of the cornbread and add a little texture and heat.
Gluten-Free Option: If you’re gluten-sensitive, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Vegan Option: To make this cornbread vegan, you can replace the eggs with a flaxseed egg substitute and use plant-based butter and oat or almond milk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Honey Butter Cornbread is the ultimate comfort food—sweet, buttery, and perfectly crispy on the outside with a soft, tender interior. The addition of the honey butter topping takes this cornbread to the next level, making it a showstopper at any meal. Whether served with chili, barbecue, or just enjoyed on its own, this cornbread is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. The combination of simple ingredients, easy preparation, and mouthwatering flavor makes it the perfect side dish for any occasion.

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