Census-Style Spiced Cornbread
A golden, crumbly cornbread infused with warm spices and a touch of honey, perfect for pairing with any meal. This american-inspired mexican ready in about 50 minutes pairs cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 8x8-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and honey until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until just combined — do not overmix.
- Step 4: Transfer the batter to the prepared dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Census-Style Spiced Cornbread take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Census-Style Spiced Cornbread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornmeal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Census-Style Spiced Cornbread?
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 Census-Style Spiced Cornbread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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.
What goes well with Census-Style Spiced Cornbread?
American mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
