Golden Sweet Potato Cornbread Recipe

Honey-Kissed Sweet Potato Cornbread Recipe: Golden Delight

Southern kitchens buzz with warmth when a sweet potato cornbread recipe fills the air with irresistible aromas.

Rustic and comforting, this dish marries the earthy sweetness of mashed sweet potatoes with traditional cornbread hearty texture.

Soft, golden crumbs promise a delightful side that complements everything from chili to roasted meats.

Humble ingredients come together in a simple, mouthwatering dance of flavors that speaks to classic comfort food.

Each bite carries a subtle sweetness and rich, tender crumb that sets this cornbread apart from ordinary recipes.

The blend of corn meal and sweet potato creates a symphony of taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to bake a Southern classic that warms hearts and satisfies souls.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 218 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredient Rundown for Sweet Potato Cornbread

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Cornmeal: Provides rustic texture and authentic corn flavor, select stone-ground for richer taste.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind ingredients and create soft crumb, choose unbleached for better quality.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures perfect rise and fluffy texture, check freshness for optimal leavening.
  • Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet undertone complementing sweet potato's natural sweetness, use ground form.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances other ingredients.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb and deep golden color, use unsalted for precise seasoning.
  • Brown Sugar: Contributes caramel-like depth and moisture, select dark brown for intense flavor.
  • Eggs: Provide structure and help bind ingredients together, use room temperature for smoother mixing.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps activate baking powder, creates tender, soft texture.
  • Sweet Potatoes: Brings natural sweetness, vibrant color, and additional moisture, choose orange-fleshed varieties.
For Serving Options:
  • Butter: Perfect for spreading, enhances richness and adds creamy layer.
  • Honey: Offers sweet drizzle and complementary flavor to cornbread's earthy notes.

Baking Tool for Sweet Potato Cornbread Success

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients thoroughly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients smoothly without lumps.
  • Rubber spatula: Helps fold wet and dry ingredients together gently.
  • 9-inch square baking pan: Creates the perfect shape and size for cornbread.
  • Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Toothpick: Helps check bread doneness by testing center.

Instructions for Sweet Potato Cornbread Prep

  • Southern Comfort Base

A rustic cornbread foundation that celebrates sweet potato’s rich, earthy essence and brings warmth to your kitchen.

  • Flour Power Blend

Combine cornmeal, regular flour, baking powder, cozy spices, and a touch of salt to create a smooth, balanced dry mixture.

  • Liquid Gold Fusion

Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, farm-fresh eggs, tangy buttermilk, and smooth mashed sweet potatoes into a luscious wet blend.

  • Gentle Marriage

Softly fold wet and dry ingredients together until just combined, preserving the delicate texture and preventing overmixing.

  • Oven Magic

Pour batter into a prepared pan, then bake in a preheated 400°F oven until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and a toothpick emerges clean.

  • Comfort Serving

Present this Southern-style cornbread warm, optionally adorned with a pat of butter or a drizzle of golden honey for pure, simple indulgence.

Ways to Sweeten or Spice the Cornbread

  • Fold in chopped pecans, toasted pumpkin seeds, or crispy bacon bits for added crunch and unexpected bursts of flavor in every bite.
  • Replace buttermilk with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangier taste, or use alternative flours like whole wheat or almond flour for a nutrition boost.
  • Top the cornbread with a maple cream cheese drizzle, sprinkle with sea salt flakes, or serve alongside a dollop of cinnamon butter for extra indulgence.

Serving Sweet Potato Cornbread at Meals

  • Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair this sweet potato cornbread with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a hearty morning meal that'll warm your soul.
  • Comfort Dessert Sidekick: Crumble the cornbread over vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon for a rustic, sweet treat that blends textures beautifully.
  • Soup's Perfect Mate: Serve alongside a steaming bowl of chili or butternut squash soup, using the cornbread to soak up every delicious drop of rich broth.
  • Southern-Style Brunch Platter: Arrange slices next to pulled pork, roasted vegetables, and a light green salad for a complete, satisfying meal that celebrates Southern cooking traditions.

Storage Tips for Moist Cornbread

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep this delightful cornbread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It stays moist and delicious for 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator's main compartment.
  • Freezer Friendly Option: Slice the cornbread into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. These slices remain tasty for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
  • Room Temperature Trick: When serving at gatherings, leave the cornbread covered on the counter for up to 2 days. Use a clean kitchen towel to maintain its softness and prevent drying out.
  • Reheating Magic: Revive cold cornbread by warming individual slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 15-20 seconds. Add a small pat of butter for extra moisture and rich flavor that brings back that fresh-baked feeling.
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Golden Sweet Potato Cornbread Recipe

Golden Sweet Potato Cornbread


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4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Southern comfort shines through this sweet potato cornbread recipe, blending rustic warmth with rich, hearty flavors. Skillet-baked deliciousness delivers a golden, moist companion perfect for chili, stews, or solo enjoyment.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) roasted and mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 ¼ cups (156 g) cornmeal
  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • 6 oz (170 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup (67 g) brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps honey
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, creating an ideal baking environment.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly blended, ensuring a consistent dry base.
  3. Wet Ingredient Symphony: In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and mashed sweet potatoes, creating a rich, smooth liquid foundation.
  4. Batter Harmonization: Delicately fold wet ingredients into dry mixture using a rubber spatula, stirring minimally to preserve the cornbread’s delicate texture and prevent overmixing.
  5. Pan Transformation: Spread the batter evenly across the prepared pan, using the spatula to achieve a level surface that promises uniform baking and appealing presentation.
  6. Baking Performance: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, monitoring for a golden-brown crust and confirming doneness with a clean toothpick test from the center.
  7. Cooling and Serving: Allow the cornbread to rest briefly after removing from the oven, then slice and serve, optionally accompanied by butter or honey to elevate the culinary experience.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir ingredients just until combined to keep the cornbread tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
  • Sweet Potato Selection: Use roasted or boiled sweet potatoes for best moisture and natural sweetness, ensuring smooth incorporation into the batter.
  • Temperature Precision: Allow eggs and buttermilk to reach room temperature for even mixing and optimal batter consistency.
  • Storage Strategy: Wrap cooled cornbread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days at room temperature.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 218
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 61 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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