Spiced Sweet Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter

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

Moist and tender sweet cornbread muffins infused with warm spices, served with a whipped maple butter for a comforting Thanksgiving side. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 35 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 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 12-cup muffin tin. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg, and 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
  3. Step 3: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and bake for 18-20 minutes until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  4. Step 4: While muffins bake, make maple butter by whipping 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter with 2 tablespoons maple syrup using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
  5. Step 5: Serve warm muffins with a spread of maple butter for a sweet and spiced finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Sweet Cornbread Muffins with Maple Butter take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Sweet 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 Sweet 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 Sweet 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 Sweet 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.

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