Genuine Southern Cornbread
A moist, subtly sweet cornbread made with real cornmeal and buttermilk, baked to golden perfection with a tender crumb. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 35 minutes combines yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar 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 150 calories and feeds 8, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup, grated (optional) sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter.
- Step 2: Whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl until no lumps remain.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 1 large egg until smooth and emulsified, with no streaks.
- Step 4: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring just until combined (do not overmix); if using, fold in 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese gently.
- Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with no wet batter.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Genuine Southern Cornbread take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Genuine Southern Cornbread?
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 Genuine Southern 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 Genuine Southern 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 Genuine Southern Cornbread?
American breakfast 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
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this genuine are incredible.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
