Classic Southern Sweet Cornbread Recipe

The Perfect Classic Southern Sweet Cornbread Recipe You’ll Love

Sweet cornbread represents a delightful culinary tradition that warms hearts and sparks memories of family gatherings.

southern kitchens have long celebrated this beloved side dish with its unique golden crumb and irresistible texture.

Rich, tender, and slightly sweet, cornbread carries a comforting essence that reimagines ordinary meals into memorable experiences.

The simple ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a mouthwatering accompaniment that complements countless main dishes.

Generations of cooks have perfected this rustic recipe, passing down techniques that ensure a perfect balance of flavor and softness.

Regional variations add subtle nuances, making each cornbread recipe a reflection of cultural heritage and personal touch.

Prepare to elevate your home cooking with this classic southern comfort that promises to delight everyone at the table.

What Makes Classic Southern Sweet Cornbread Irresistible

  • Unleash Creamy Comfort: This Southern sweet cornbread delivers a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth, blending the richness of creamed corn with a soft, velvety crumb that hugs your taste buds with pure comfort.
  • Whip Up Effortless Delight: The recipe is beginner-friendly, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious side dish without complex techniques.
  • Celebrate Southern Warmth: Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners, this cornbread brings a touch of Southern hospitality to your table, creating instant warmth and connection through its nostalgic, homemade goodness.
  • Savor Versatile Goodness: Perfectly sweet yet balanced, this cornbread pairs wonderfully with chili, barbecue, soups, or can be enjoyed on its own as a delightful snack that satisfies sweet and savory cravings in one delectable bite.

Ingredients for Southern Cornbread Magic

Main Ingredients:

Corn-Based Ingredients: – Jiffy Corn Mix: Foundational mix that provides classic cornbread texture and corn flavor. – Creamed Corn: Adds moisture, sweetness, and extra corn essence to the cornbread.

Liquid Ingredients: – Sour Cream, Vegetable Oil: Contribute richness, tenderness, and smooth consistency to the cornbread.

Binding Ingredients: – Eggs: Helps bind ingredients together and provides structure to the cornbread.

Sweetening Ingredients: – Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and balances corn’s natural flavors.

Pan Preparation Ingredients: – Butter or Non-Stick Spray: Ensures easy cornbread removal and prevents sticking.

The Classic Way to Bake Sweet Cornbread

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F (177°C) and get ready for some delicious baking magic. Make sure the oven rack is in the center position for even cooking.

Step 2: Mix the Magical Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your ingredients:
  • Creamed corn
  • Jiffy Corn Mix
  • Sour cream
  • Vegetable oil
  • Sugar
  • Eggs

Whisk everything together until you create a smooth, creamy batter that’s thick and luscious.

Step 3: Prepare Your Baking Vessel

Grab a 9×11 inch baking pan and give it some love. Grease the entire surface with butter or a quick spray of non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your cornbread won’t stick and comes out perfectly.

Step 4: Pour and Spread

Carefully transfer your batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly, creating a smooth surface that promises a delightful texture.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it – you’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown top. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your cornbread is ready to shine!

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Let the cornbread cool in the pan for a few minutes. This short rest helps it set and makes cutting into perfect squares a breeze. Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Southern Cornbread Cooking Tips

  • Corn Mix Magic: Use Jiffy Corn Mix for an instant flavor boost and guaranteed soft texture every time.
  • Moisture Mastery: Add sour cream to create an incredibly tender and rich cornbread that stays moist even after cooling.
  • Creamed Corn Trick: Incorporate creamed corn for extra moisture and a deeper corn flavor that elevates the entire recipe.
  • Greasing Genius: Butter the pan generously to ensure a golden, crispy exterior and prevent any sticking when serving.
  • Doneness Detection: Always test with a toothpick in the center – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, your cornbread is perfectly baked.

Reheating and Saving Southern Cornbread

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. Seal carefully to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Prevent crumbling by keeping the container sealed and cool.
  • Reheating Oven Method: Revive the cornbread's original texture by preheating your oven to 350°F. Wrap the cornbread in aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Unwrap briefly at the end to restore a crispy exterior.
  • Microwave Quick Fix: When time is short, reheat individual slices for 15-20 seconds. Place a damp paper towel over the cornbread to add moisture and prevent toughness.

Dishes That Go Great with Southern Cornbread

  • Savor Southern Comfort Pairings: Pair this sweet cornbread with hearty chili, which balances the bread's sweetness with rich, spicy flavors and creates a classic Southern comfort food combination.
  • Match Creamy Beverage Companions: Serve alongside cold buttermilk or sweet tea, which complement the cornbread's soft texture and enhance its subtle sweetness with refreshing, smooth undertones.
  • Complement Protein Harmony: Enjoy with slow-cooked pulled pork or barbecue chicken, where the cornbread's sugary notes perfectly offset the savory, smoky meat flavors and provide a delightful textural contrast.
  • Create Breakfast Bliss Plate: Transform the cornbread into a morning treat by serving with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a dollop of honey butter, making a decadent breakfast that celebrates Southern culinary traditions.

New Takes on Southern Sweet Cornbread

  • Cheesy Jalapeño Cornbread: Add shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños to the batter for a spicy, tangy kick that elevates the classic cornbread.
  • Bacon and Chive Cornbread: Mix crispy chopped bacon bits and fresh chives into the batter, creating a savory version with rich, smoky undertones.
  • Honey Lavender Cornbread: Incorporate a tablespoon of honey and a pinch of dried lavender for a subtle floral sweetness that transforms the traditional recipe.
  • Herb and Parmesan Cornbread: Blend grated parmesan cheese with chopped fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme to create an aromatic, Mediterranean-inspired variation.
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Classic Southern Sweet Cornbread Recipe

Classic Southern Sweet Cornbread Recipe


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4.6 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Southern sweet cornbread delivers golden comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Buttery crumbs and honey-kissed warmth invite you to savor a slice of homestyle tradition that speaks directly to Southern hospitality.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 small box jiffy corn mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 14.75 ounces (418 grams) creamed corn

Dairy and Moisture Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream

Liquid and Sweetening Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C), creating an optimal environment for baking a golden-crusted cornbread.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine creamed corn, Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
  3. Prepare a 9×11 inch (23×28 centimeters) baking pan by generously coating the interior with butter or utilizing a non-stick cooking spray to guarantee effortless cornbread removal.
  4. Transfer the prepared batter into the prepared pan, using a silicone or rubber spatula to evenly distribute and smooth the surface, ensuring uniform baking.
  5. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring the cornbread’s progress by inserting a clean toothpick or wooden skewer into the center.
  6. When the inserted utensil emerges completely clean and free from raw batter, remove the cornbread from the oven, indicating perfect doneness.
  7. Allow the cornbread to rest and cool within the baking pan for approximately 5-7 minutes, permitting the interior structure to stabilize and facilitate clean, precise cutting.
  8. Slice into generous squares and serve warm, optionally accompanied by softened butter or honey for enhanced flavor.

Notes

  • Capture the essence of Southern comfort with this incredibly moist and sweet cornbread that melts in your mouth.
  • Jiffy Corn Mix transforms this recipe into a foolproof, no-fuss baking experience that guarantees delicious results every single time.
  • Adding creamed corn provides extra moisture and a rich, authentic corn flavor that elevates this classic side dish beyond traditional recipes.
  • Optimal baking time of 35-40 minutes ensures a golden-brown exterior with a tender, soft interior that pairs perfectly with chili, barbecue, or enjoyed on its own.
  • Letting the cornbread rest after baking allows the structure to set, making clean, beautiful slices that are ideal for serving at family gatherings or potluck dinners.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation without losing its delightful texture and taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 245 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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