Indulge in the golden perfection of this Sweet Honey Cornbread, a recipe so delightful, it will become an instant family favorite. With its ideal texture, effortless preparation, and natural sweetness from raw honey, this recipe yields a generous 9×13 baking dish, ensuring there’s plenty for everyone to savor.
Cornbread holds a special place in many hearts, and in our household, it’s a staple enjoyed frequently. Despite its regular appearance on our dinner table, I’ve never shared a dedicated cornbread recipe on this blog – until today! This oversight changes now, with a recipe that promises to transform your perception of homemade cornbread.
For years, I confess, my go-to for cornbread was often a box of Jiffy mix. The convenience seemed unbeatable, leading me to believe that baking from scratch was a complicated endeavor. However, discovering this particular recipe completely shifted my perspective. Not only is it incredibly simple to whip up, but it also achieves that perfect level of sweetness that I adore, making it a truly superior alternative to any store-bought mix.
The Charm of Homemade Honey Cornbread
The world of cornbread recipes is vast and varied, ranging from creations brimming with creamed corn, fiery jalapeños, or savory sausage and bacon, to those featuring unexpected fruits and nuts. While I appreciate culinary creativity, I’ve always been a proponent of classic, unadorned cornbread. For me, a warm, tender piece of cornbread, perhaps with a simple drizzle of maple syrup, is pure happiness. There’s an understated elegance in its simplicity that speaks volumes.
Interestingly, cornbread wasn’t a part of my upbringing. My mother never made it, so it wasn’t until I met my husband that I truly began to appreciate its comforting qualities. He introduced me to his preferred method of enjoyment – a warm slice with a generous pour of maple syrup – and that tradition has happily stuck with me ever since.
Embracing the Sweet Cornbread Debate
In my culinary philosophy, cornbread is meant to be sweet. I understand this might be a contentious statement for some, and that’s perfectly fine! Being from Nebraska, rather than the deep South, gives me a regional “excuse” for this preference. Many Southerners famously scoff at the idea of adding sugar to cornbread, arguing it has no place in their traditional recipes.
However, this recipe offers a delightful middle ground. Instead of refined sugar, it utilizes the natural sweetness of raw honey, elevating the flavor profile without alienating purists entirely. This way, we can still enjoy a slightly sweet cornbread that is both comforting and authentically flavored. While my heart leans towards sweet cornbread, I do occasionally venture into savory territory, particularly with these Cheesy Cornbread Drop Biscuits – they’re a savory treat I bet you’d enjoy too!
The Joy of Freaky Friday: A Culinary Blog Hop
Today marks one of my absolute favorite events of the season: Freaky Friday! And no, I’m not referring to the classic movie. This Freaky Friday is a cherished tradition among a group of my dearest foodie friends and fellow bloggers – a delightful blog hop that celebrates community and shared passion for cooking.
As the coordinator of this group, I orchestrate this exciting event five times a year. The premise is simple yet incredibly fun: each blogger is secretly assigned another’s blog to explore and choose a recipe from. Then, on a designated Friday, we all simultaneously reveal our chosen recipes. It’s always a thrill to discover which blogger was assigned to *my* blog and what they decided to create. The best part is hopping from blog to blog, seeing the diverse range of dishes everyone made, and celebrating each other’s culinary endeavors.
For our readers, Freaky Friday offers an incredible opportunity to discover a curated collection of seasonally-themed recipes, all conveniently gathered in one place. For this particular edition, we’re focusing on delightful Fall-themed dishes. It’s also an excellent way to broaden your culinary horizons, find new recipes, and discover inspiring food blogs to follow. I truly hope you enjoy exploring all the wonderful creations!
This round, I had the unique privilege of sharing two fantastic bloggers with you. First, I prepared an incredible Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup from Or Whatever You Do. And secondly, I’m thrilled to present this Sweet Honey Cornbread Recipe, inspired by The Speckled Palate! The reason for my double contribution is simple: I stepped in to assist a fellow blogger who needed some time off for health reasons. It was an honor to cover her assigned recipe, and I ask that you please keep this amazing woman in your thoughts and prayers.
Exploring The Speckled Palate: A Blogger’s Delight
It has been my absolute pleasure to bake from Erin’s wonderful blog, The Speckled Palate, in the past. Each time, the challenge is always deciding *what* to make from her incredible array of recipes – it truly takes me ages to choose! Erin and I share many common interests: we’ve both been active in the blogosphere for a significant period, and we both harbor a deep love for entertaining, cooking, and baking. I have no doubt that if we ever had the chance to collaborate, we could throw one absolutely spectacular party!
In previous Freaky Friday rounds, I’ve had the joy of making her vibrant Funfetti Cookies and her ingenious Corn Dog Mini Muffins. When I began browsing her blog this time, specifically searching for a Fall recipe, my initial thought was “pumpkin.” Her Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread immediately landed on my “must-bake” list, and her Pumpkin Spice Mule was added to my “must-drink” list!
I thought I had finally settled on her tempting Spicy Sausage and Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce, but then I stumbled upon her recipe for Honey Cornbread. That very night, I was planning to make chili, and it clicked – cornbread was the perfect accompaniment! It was a serendipitous discovery that led me to this wonderful dish.
About Erin from The Speckled Palate
Erin, along with her husband, their two adorable little girls, and their “speckled palate” dog, Lucy, resides in Texas. One might assume that a food blog named “The Speckled Palate” refers to taste buds, a clever play on words. However, the true origin of the name is far more endearing and unique – it’s inspired by the roof of her dog Lucy’s mouth! How incredibly clever and sweet is that? If you know me at all, you understand my deep affection for dogs, and anyone who loves their furry companions is automatically “my kind of people.”
Following Erin’s journey is always a delight. She is a joy to connect with, offers an incredible collection of recipes, and her food photography is consistently stunning. Beyond the recipes, she graciously shares glimpses into her “day in the life” with her wonderful kiddos, making her blog a truly engaging and heartwarming read.
Mastering Homemade Cornbread: A Simple Guide
As I mentioned earlier, for many years, I defaulted to store-bought cornbread mix, mistakenly believing that baking homemade cornbread was a complex culinary feat. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Making this delicious staple from scratch is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly rewarding.
In fact, the ingredients required are incredibly simple and common; chances are, you already have most of them in your pantry right now! The beauty of this recipe lies in its accessibility and the pure, unadulterated flavor that comes from using fresh, basic components. Forget the additives and preservatives often found in mixes; with homemade, you control every delicious detail.
Here’s what you’ll need to create the best sweet honey cornbread you’ve ever tasted:
Essential Ingredients for Homemade Honey Cornbread
- Yellow cornmeal: The heart of any good cornbread, providing texture and classic flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Balances the cornmeal, giving structure and preventing excessive crumbliness.
- Baking powder: The leavening agent that ensures a light and fluffy rise.
- Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and provides a crucial balance to the sweetness.
- Raw honey: Our star natural sweetener, imparting a unique depth of flavor.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together, adding richness and moisture.
- Unsalted butter: Contributes a tender crumb and delicious buttery taste.
- Milk: Adds liquid for proper consistency and moisture.
The process begins by combining the dry ingredients: yellow cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Give them a good whisk to ensure even distribution. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: egg, honey, melted butter, and milk. Once both mixtures are ready, gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing to achieve the perfect texture. Then, simply spread the batter into a prepared 9×13 baking dish.
Bake your cornbread until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown hue, signaling its readiness. The final recipe with precise measurements and steps can be found below in the recipe card.
Tips for Perfect Cornbread: Preventing the Crumbles
One common frustration for home bakers is cornbread that turns out too crumbly. While some crumb is natural and desirable, excessive crumbling can detract from the experience. Here are a few key reasons why this might happen and how to avoid it, ensuring your honey cornbread is perfectly tender and holds together beautifully:
**1. Too Much Cornmeal:** While cornmeal is essential, an imbalance with too much cornmeal and insufficient flour can lead to a dry, crumbly texture. All-purpose flour provides the necessary gluten structure to bind the bread together. Stick to the specified ratios in the recipe for the best results, creating a harmonious balance between the gritty texture of cornmeal and the binding power of flour.
**2. Overbaking:** Like many baked goods, cornbread can become dry and crumbly if it’s left in the oven for too long. Keep a close eye on your cornbread as it bakes. It should be pulled from the oven once the top turns a lovely golden brown. To confirm it’s cooked through without being overdone, perform the classic toothpick test: insert a toothpick into the center of the cornbread; if it comes out clean, your cornbread is perfectly baked.
**3. Overmixing the Batter:** This is a crucial step often overlooked. Once you combine the wet ingredients with the dry, mix *just* until they are incorporated. Unlike cake batter, where a smooth consistency is often desired, it’s perfectly acceptable – and even preferable – for cornbread batter to be slightly lumpy. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dry, and potentially crumbly final product. Gentle folding or stirring is key to a tender crumb.
By following these simple tips, you’ll consistently achieve a moist, flavorful, and perfectly structured honey cornbread every time.
And speaking of delicious pairings, this honey cornbread was the perfect accompaniment to our chili that night. My Three Bean Chili Recipe is incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor – a match made in heaven for this sweet cornbread!
Love It? Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this delightful honey cornbread recipe slip away! Make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go, so you can easily find it next time you’re craving a sweet and tender homemade treat. Happy baking!
Explore All Our 2020 Freaky Friday Fall Edition Recipes:
- An Affair from the Heart – Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup
- An Affair from the Heart – Honey Corn Bread
- Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
- Devour Dinner – Instant Pot French Onion Meatballs
- House of Nash Eats – Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Lemoine Family Kitchen – Turkey Cranberry Sliders
- Life Currents – Cheesy Shrimp Dip
- Life, Love & Good Food – Lemon Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Or Whatever You Do –Traeger Grilled Parmesan Halibut
- Sugar Dish Me – Whipped Shortbread Cookies
- Take Two Tapas – Pork Tenderloin Sliders
- The Foodie Affair – Easy Greek Style Cauliflower Rice Salad
- The Speckled Palate – Upside Down Cranberry Cake
- West Via Midwest – Hawaiian Pulled Pork (Kalua Pork Recipe)
Discover ALL My Freaky Friday Recipes!
Now, let’s get to the star of the show – the recipe itself! Happy baking! 
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Print Recipe
Homemade Honey Cornbread Recipe
I couldn’t love this Sweet Honey Cornbread Recipe more. It has the perfect texture, it’s simple to make and naturally sweetened with raw honey. It makes a 9×13 baking dish, so there is plenty to enjoy.
10 mins
20 mins
30 mins
American
best cornbread recipe, homemade, honey cornbread, how to keep cornbread from falling apart, how to make homemade cornbread, recipe, sweet
9 x13 baking dish
117 kcal
Michaela Kenkel
Equipment
- Rubber Spatulas
- 9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 4 teaspoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Or brush the dish with butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together: cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together: honey, egg, melted butter and milk.
- Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it. Mix together until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, and smooth out the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is a light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Enjoy! We love it nice and warm out of the oven with a little more honey or maple syrup on top!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 |
Calories: 117kcal |
Carbohydrates: 23g |
Protein: 3g |
Fat: 2g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 16mg |
Sodium: 152mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 9g