Easy Cornbread Recipe: The Foolproof, Beloved One

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Author: Rachel Evans
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Easy Cornbread Recipe

Oh, cornbread. Just saying the word makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! There’s just something so comforting about a good slice of cornbread, isn’t there? And let me tell you, this easy cornbread recipe is about to become your new best friend. Seriously! It’s SO quick and easy, even if you’ve never baked anything before, you can totally nail this. It’s the *perfect* easy cornbread recipe for beginners!

I remember one family BBQ where I whipped up a batch of this. My usually picky cousin, little Timmy, devoured like three slices! He even asked for the recipe! (Which, let’s be honest, is a *huge* compliment coming from him.) That’s when I knew I had to share this gem with the world. You guys *have* to try this easy cornbread recipe!

Easy Cornbread Recipe - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cornbread Recipe

Quick and Easy

Seriously, you can whip this up in like, five minutes flat! And it bakes in under 30. Talk about a weeknight win!

Moist and Flavorful

No dry, crumbly cornbread here! This easy cornbread recipe is perfectly moist and has just the right amount of sweetness. Mmm!

Simple Ingredients

You probably already have everything you need in your pantry. No fancy stuff, I promise!

Perfect for Beginners

Don’t worry if you’re new to baking. The instructions are super straightforward, and it’s almost impossible to mess up. Really!

Versatile Side Dish

This easy cornbread recipe goes with *everything*! Chili, BBQ, soups… you name it. It’s the ultimate comfort food side.

Gather Your Ingredients for This Easy Cornbread Recipe

Okay, let’s get started! The best part about this easy cornbread recipe is that you probably have all this stuff in your kitchen already. We’re talking super simple ingredients – nothing fancy!

Cornmeal

You’ll want 1 cup of yellow cornmeal for this. Not white, not blue… just good ol’ yellow cornmeal!

Flour

Grab 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Yep, the regular stuff is perfect.

Sugar

Just 1/4 cup of sugar. It gives it a *hint* of sweetness, but not too much, promise!

Baking Powder

You need 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Make sure it’s not *too* old, or your cornbread won’t rise properly!

Baking Soda

Half a teaspoon (that’s 1/2 tsp) of baking soda goes in next. Don’t skip it!

Salt

And finally, 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Just a pinch to balance out the flavors.

Buttermilk

Now, for the good stuff! You’ll need 1 cup of buttermilk. It’s what makes this easy cornbread recipe so moist!

Vegetable Oil

A quarter cup (1/4 cup) of vegetable oil keeps things tender. Any neutral oil will do!

Egg

Last but not least, 1 egg, lightly beaten. Large size, please! Just give it a quick whisk before you toss it in.

How to Prepare This Easy Cornbread Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, now for the fun part! These instructions are so simple, even I can follow them (and trust me, that’s saying something!). Get ready for some seriously easy baking!

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

First things first, crank that oven up to 400°F (that’s 200°C for you fancy folks!). While it’s heating up, grease an 8-inch square baking pan. You don’t want your easy cornbread recipe sticking, now do you?

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients for the Easy Cornbread Recipe

In a big bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Why whisk? It gets rid of any lumps and makes sure everything is evenly distributed. Trust me, it makes a difference!

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a *separate* bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, and egg. Why two bowls? Well, it just helps everything mix together better in the end. Plus, it’s kinda fun, right?

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry for the Best Easy Cornbread Recipe

Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until *just* combined. This is super important: DO NOT OVERMIX! Seriously! Overmixing makes tough cornbread, and nobody wants that. A few streaks of flour are totally fine!

Step 5: Bake Your Easy Cornbread Recipe

Pour that beautiful batter into your prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. How do you know when it’s done? Stick a wooden skewer (or toothpick) into the center. If it comes out clean, you’re golden! If not, give it a few more minutes. Careful not to burn it!

Easy Cornbread Recipe - detail 2

Step 6: Cool and Serve Your Easy Cornbread Recipe

Let your easy cornbread recipe cool *slightly* before serving. I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but trust me, it’s better if you let it sit for a bit. Plus, you won’t burn your tongue off!

Tips for Success with This Easy Cornbread Recipe

Don’t Overmix

Seriously, I can’t stress this enough! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and that means tough, chewy cornbread. We want tender and crumbly, remember?

Use Fresh Ingredients

Old baking powder? Stale cornmeal? Nope! Fresh ingredients make a *huge* difference in the flavor and texture of your easy cornbread recipe. Trust me on this one!

Properly Grease the Pan

Nobody wants their cornbread stuck to the pan! Grease it really well with shortening or cooking spray. Or, even better, line it with parchment paper for easy removal!

Watch the Baking Time

Overbaked cornbread is dry and crumbly (and sad!). Keep an eye on it and test for doneness with a skewer. Remember, moist crumbs are good, burnt edges are bad!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Easy Cornbread Recipe

Okay, so sometimes you’re missing an ingredient, right? No sweat! This easy cornbread recipe is pretty flexible. Here are a few swaps you can make without totally messing things up.

Buttermilk Substitutions

No buttermilk? No problem! Just mix 1 cup of milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and boom – you’ve got buttermilk! Works like a charm, I swear!

Sugar Adjustments

Want a *sweeter* cornbread? Go for it! Just increase the sugar to 1/2 cup. It’ll be like a little dessert bread. Yum!

Adding Corn Kernels

Want to get fancy? Toss in 1/2 cup of corn kernels. Fresh or canned (drained!) both work great. It adds a nice little pop of texture and flavor. My favorite!

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Cornbread Recipe

Okay, so you’ve got this amazing easy cornbread recipe… now what do you *eat* it with? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. This stuff goes with practically anything!

Classic Pairings

Chili, BBQ ribs, pulled pork sandwiches… need I say more? This easy cornbread recipe is a match made in comfort food heaven! Seriously, try it!

Soup Companion

A warm slice of cornbread dunked in a bowl of hearty bean soup or creamy vegetable soup? Yes, please! It’s the perfect way to cozy up on a chilly night.

Breakfast Option

Don’t limit your cornbread to lunch or dinner! Slather it with butter and drizzle with honey for a sweet and savory breakfast treat. You won’t regret it, I promise!

Storing and Reheating Your Easy Cornbread Recipe

So, you’ve made this amazing easy cornbread recipe, and somehow, you have leftovers? (Okay, I never do, but let’s pretend!). Here’s how to keep it fresh and delicious!

Storage Instructions

Pop that leftover cornbread into an airtight container. It’ll keep at room temperature for a couple of days, or you can stash it in the fridge for up to a week. Easy peasy!

Reheating Options

Want to warm it up? You can zap it in the microwave for a few seconds (careful not to overdo it!), or pop it in a warm oven for a few minutes to get that fresh-baked taste back. Either way, delicious!

Easy Cornbread Recipe FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few common questions I get about this easy cornbread recipe. Hopefully, this clears things up!

Can I make this Easy Cornbread Recipe ahead of time?

Totally! You can bake it a day ahead and just wrap it up tight. It’ll still be delicious the next day! Just store it at room temperature, or pop it in the fridge if it’s super hot out.

Can I freeze this Easy Cornbread Recipe?

Yep! Wrap it really well in plastic wrap and then foil, and it’ll keep in the freezer for a couple of months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it out overnight in the fridge and warm it up a bit. It’s almost as good as fresh!

Can I use self-rising cornmeal in this Easy Cornbread Recipe?

Okay, so if you use self-rising cornmeal, you’ll need to skip the baking powder and baking soda in the recipe. Otherwise, it’ll rise too much and get all weird. Just a heads-up!

Is this Easy Cornbread Recipe gluten-free?

Nope, not as written. But! You can easily make a gluten-free cornbread by swapping out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Just make sure it’s a 1-to-1 replacement. Easy peasy!

Can I add other ingredients to this Easy Cornbread Recipe?

Absolutely! Get creative! Jalapeños and cheese are always a win. Or, try adding some cooked bacon or even some blueberries for a sweet and savory twist. The sky’s the limit!

Estimated Nutritional Information for This Easy Cornbread Recipe

Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition info, right? Here’s a *rough* estimate of what you’re looking at per slice of this easy cornbread recipe. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, and it can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use!

You’re probably looking at around 200 calories, 8 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein, and 28 grams of carbs. There’s also about 8 grams of sugar and 250mg of sodium. But hey, it’s cornbread! Enjoy it!

Easy Cornbread Recipe - detail 3

Share Your Easy Cornbread Recipe Creations

Okay, you’ve made this easy cornbread recipe, now show it off! Leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and share your pics on social media! I wanna see your cornbread masterpieces!

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Easy Cornbread Recipe

Easy Cornbread Recipe: The Foolproof, Beloved One

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  • Author: Rachel Evans
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This easy cornbread recipe delivers a moist and flavorful side dish.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, and egg.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • For a sweeter cornbread, increase the sugar to 1/2 cup.
  • You can substitute milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar for the buttermilk.
  • Add 1/2 cup of kernel corn to the batter for added texture and flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg
Hi, I’m Rachel!

Recipe creator, food enthusiast, and busy mom on a mission to simplify dinner without sacrificing flavor. I share tried-and-true recipes that are easy to follow, budget-friendly, and always satisfying. Let’s make dinnertime the best part of your day!

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