Spiced Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter
Moist cornbread muffins infused with warm spices and served with a sweet maple butter that complements the subtle heat, ideal for a cozy holiday side. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 28 minutes, pairs yellow 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 12, 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 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons, melted plus 2 tablespoons for maple butter unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined; do not overmix.
- Step 3: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 4: While the muffins bake, mix 2 tablespoons unsalted softened butter with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup in a small bowl to make maple butter.
- Step 5: Remove muffins from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm topped with a generous spread of maple butter.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (10 min prep + 18 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 Spiced Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter?
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 yellow cornmeal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter?
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 Spiced Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter 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.
What goes well with Spiced Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter?
American thanksgiving 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.
