Bourbon-Pecan Cornbread Muffins

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist cornbread muffins infused with bourbon and toasted pecans, ideal for breakfast or as a side with soup or chili. This American-inspired recipe (gluten-free), ready in about 40 minutes, combines yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 12 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a muffin tin. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and bourbon until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
  3. Step 3: Fold in chopped pecans. Divide batter evenly into muffin tin (filling each 3/4 full).
  4. Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Brush tops with honey while warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bourbon-Pecan Cornbread Muffins take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Bourbon-Pecan Cornbread Muffins?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Pecan Cornbread Muffins?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bourbon-Pecan Cornbread Muffins for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Bourbon-Pecan Cornbread Muffins gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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