American

Cornbread

“A slightly sweet bread made from cornmeal, often served as a side.”

Easy42 min

Where it comes from

Cornbread is a staple in Southern cuisine, with historical ties to Native American cooking traditions.

On the Palate

How it's made

6 steps · Show ↓

42 min active

1
10 min
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a cast-iron skillet inside to heat up. This ensures a crispy crust when the batter hits the hot surface.
Watch out
Make sure the skillet is hot enough to sizzle when a few drops of water are flicked onto its surface.
2
5 min
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, and baking powder until evenly combined. The dry mix should be a uniform pale yellow with no visible clumps.
3
3 min
In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then mix it with milk and melted butter. The liquid mixture should be smooth and slightly frothy.
4
2 min
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring just until the batter is smooth and no dry spots remain. The mixture should be thick and pourable.
Watch out
Avoid overmixing the batter; this can lead to a dense cornbread.
5
2 min
Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven, pour in the batter, and spread it evenly with a spatula. Listen for a satisfying sizzle as the batter hits the pan.
6
20 min
Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. The edges should pull slightly away from the sides of the skillet.

What you'll need

Cast-Iron Skillet

Heavy iron disc that holds a screaming sear and transitions stovetop-to-oven without flinching. The seasoning layer that builds over years is the pan.

Baking