Introduction
If you’re a fan of Southern cuisine, you’ve likely tasted the sweet, savory goodness of corn bread. Whether served as a side dish or main course, corn bread is a tasty and versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year round. But for those who have never made it before, the process can seem daunting. That’s where we come in! In this article, we’ll go over the basics of making corn bread, discuss tips for making it moist and delicious, teach you some creative twists on a classic recipe, show you how to make it gluten-free and lower in fat, and suggest some serving ideas.
The Simplest Recipe for Delicious Corn Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before diving into the creative twists and variations, let’s review the basics of making classic corn bread. Here’s a simple and reliable recipe for making cornbread from scratch:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 3/4 cup of flour
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 egg
Utensils:
- A large mixing bowl
- A mixing spoon
- A baking dish or cast-iron skillet
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir well to combine.
- Add the milk, vegetable oil, and egg to the dry mixture. Mix until fully combined and there are no lumps.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Smooth the top with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The corn bread should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Allow the corn bread to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Additional Tips:
- If you like your corn bread sweeter, add an extra tablespoon or two of white sugar to the batter.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a 9-inch baking dish will work just as well.
- For a more rustic look, you can bake the corn bread in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop until golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Then flip it over and finish cooking in the oven.
5 Secrets for Making Perfectly Moist Cornbread Every Time
One of the most important aspects of making great corn bread is achieving the right level of moisture. Here are five secrets for making moist, tender, and flavorful corn bread every time:
1. Use Buttermilk:
Buttermilk is a slightly acidic ingredient that helps activate the baking powder and create a light and fluffy texture. It also adds a tangy and slightly buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cornmeal.
2. Add Sour Cream:
Similar to buttermilk, sour cream adds moisture and richness to the batter. It also helps tenderize the crumb and create a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
3. Use Creamed Corn:
Creamed corn is a canned corn product that has been pureed and seasoned with sugar and salt. Adding creamed corn to the batter provides both moisture and flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the cornmeal.
4. Brush with Honey:
For an extra hint of sweetness and moisture, brush the top of the corn bread with a mixture of honey and melted butter while it’s still warm from the oven. The honey will seep into the crevices of the cornbread, creating a nice glaze and adding moisture.
5. Don’t Overmix:
While it may be tempting to keep stirring the batter until it’s completely smooth, overmixing can actually result in a tough and dry corn bread. Instead, mix the batter until there are no more dry pockets of flour, and then stop. A few lumps are okay – they’ll disappear during baking.
Spice Up Your Cornbread Game: 3 Creative Twists on a Classic Recipe
Now that you’ve mastered the basics and learned how to make moist and tender corn bread, it’s time to have some fun with different flavor variations. Here are three creative twists on the classic recipe that are sure to wow your taste buds:
1. Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 3/4 cup of flour
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of diced jalapeno peppers (fresh or canned)
Directions:
- Follow the basic corn bread recipe above, but add the cheddar cheese and jalapeno peppers to the batter.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Serve warm with butter or cream cheese.
2. Honey Butter Cornbread:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 3/4 cup of flour
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup of melted butter
- 1/4 cup of honey
Directions:
- Follow the basic corn bread recipe above, but reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons.
- Mix together the melted butter and honey in a small bowl.
- Brush the top of the warm corn bread with the honey butter mixture.
- Allow the corn bread to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
3. Tomato and Basil Cornbread:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 3/4 cup of flour
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup of canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil
Directions:
- Follow the basic corn bread recipe above, but reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons.
- Add the diced tomatoes and chopped basil to the batter and stir well.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese.
The Healthier Side of Corn Bread: How to Make it Gluten Free and Lower in Fat
If you’re looking to make corn bread that’s both tasty and healthy, there are some simple substitutions and tweaks you can make to the classic recipe. Here’s how to make gluten-free and lower-fat corn bread:
Gluten-Free Corn Bread:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of gluten-free cornmeal
- 3/4 cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 egg
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, gluten-free flour, honey, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, vegetable oil, and egg.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the corn bread to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Lower-Fat Corn Bread:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 3/4 cup of flour
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of low-fat or fat-free milk
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, honey, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, applesauce, and egg.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the corn bread to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Corn Bread for Every Occasion: Pairing Suggestions and Serving Tips
Now that you’ve learned all about making different types of corn bread, it’s time to think about the best ways to serve and enjoy it. Here are some pairing suggestions and serving tips to get you started:
Pairing Suggestions:
- Serve classic corn bread alongside Southern-style dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, or BBQ pork.
- Jalapeno cheddar corn bread pairs well with spicy chili or hearty soups.
- Honey butter corn bread is perfect with sweet or fruity dishes like roasted pork with apples, or peach cobbler.
- Tomato and basil corn bread complements Italian-style dishes like lasagna or stuffed mushrooms.
Serving Tips:
- Cut corn bread into slices or wedges for easy serving.
- Top with honey, butter, or flavored cream cheese for an extra boost of flavor.
- Serve corn bread warm or at room temperature.
- Make mini muffin-sized versions of corn bread to serve as an appetizer or snack.
Conclusion
Making corn bread from scratch can seem intimidating at first, but hopefully this article has shown you just how simple and delicious it can be. Whether you’re a fan of classic corn bread, or looking to spice things up with different flavors and variations, there’s a corn bread recipe to fit every taste and occasion.
