Sweet Potato Honey Cornbread: The Coziest Family Recipe

Sweet potato honey cornbread represents a delightful fusion of rustic comfort and vibrant flavor profiles.

Southern kitchens often celebrate this hearty bread as a perfect side dish or standalone treat.

Rich, golden ingredients blend seamlessly to create a moist and tender texture that melts in your mouth.

Warm spices and natural sweetness intertwine, reimagineing ordinary cornbread into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Farmers markets and local produce inspire this recipe’s authentic, wholesome approach to traditional baking techniques.

Subtle hints of complexity emerge from carefully balanced ingredients that complement each other beautifully.

Home cooks appreciate how simple techniques can elevate a classic recipe into something truly memorable.

Sweet Potato Cornbread Overview

• Boost Nutrition Naturally: Sweet potatoes pack this cornbread with extra vitamins, fiber, and a beautiful orange color that makes the bread more nutritious and visually appealing.
• Craft Effortless Comfort: This recipe requires minimal kitchen skills, takes under an hour to prepare, and delivers a warm, homemade side dish that feels like a culinary hug.
• Elevate Classic Flavors: The combination of honey, sweet potatoes, and traditional cornbread ingredients creates a delightful twist on a classic Southern recipe, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes that complement any main course.

Sweet Potato Cornbread Ingredient List

• Yellow Cornmeal: A classic cornbread base with a slightly gritty texture that provides authentic southern cornbread character.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a tender and soft crumb structure for the cornbread.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cornbread rises and becomes light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Sweet Potatoes: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and vibrant orange color to the cornbread.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the bread.
• Melted Butter, Buttermilk: Contribute richness, tanginess, and tender texture to the cornbread.

• Honey, Softened Butter: Creates a sweet and creamy spread that complements the cornbread's warm flavor profile.

Bake Sweet Potato Cornbread Quickly

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Yellow cornmeal
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk ingredients together until evenly distributed.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Buttermilk

Blend until smooth and consistent.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.

Step 5: Bake The Cornbread

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Create Honey Butter

While cornbread bakes, mix softened butter with honey until creamy and smooth.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Remove cornbread from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with a generous dollop of honey butter on top.

Tip: For extra richness, serve immediately while still warm and the honey butter is soft and spreadable.

Tips for Moist Sweet Potato Cornbread

• Mash Sweet Potatoes Smoothly: Use a potato masher or fork to create a creamy, lump-free sweet potato base for an ultra-smooth texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir the batter gently and minimally to keep the cornbread tender and prevent a tough, dense result.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick in the center – if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, your cornbread is perfectly baked.
• Let Cool Briefly: Allow the cornbread to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make slicing easier.
• Enhance Honey Butter: Soften butter at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to create a smooth, easily spreadable honey butter.

How to Store Sweet Potato Cornbread

• Refrigeration: Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap the cornbread tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or restore the bread's crispy edges by placing pieces in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Drizzle extra honey butter on top to refresh the flavor and keep the cornbread moist.
• Freezing: Freeze completely cooled cornbread in a freezer-safe container or sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to preserve the tender texture and delicious taste.

Sides That Pair with Sweet Potato Cornbread

• Pair with Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork: The sweet and savory cornbread perfectly complements the rich, tender pulled pork, creating a mouthwatering Southern-style feast that balances the cornbread's sweetness with the meat's bold flavors.
• Serve alongside Spicy Chili: The cornbread's subtle sweetness and soft texture provide a delightful contrast to a hearty, spicy chili, cooling down the heat while adding a luxurious complement to the dish.
• Enjoy with Maple Bourbon Cocktail: The sweet potato and honey notes in the cornbread beautifully match the caramel undertones of a maple bourbon drink, elevating both the food and beverage with their complementary flavors.
• Complement with Tangy Coleslaw: The creamy, zesty coleslaw cuts through the cornbread's richness, offering a fresh and crisp counterpoint that brightens the entire meal and adds a refreshing crunch.

Ways to Change Up Sweet Potato Cornbread

• Chipotle Kick Cornbread: Add finely chopped chipotle peppers and a sprinkle of smoked paprika to the batter for a spicy southwestern flavor profile.
• Maple Pecan Variation: Replace honey with pure maple syrup and fold chopped pecans into the batter for a nutty, sweet alternative.
• Jalapeño Cheddar Blend: Mix shredded sharp cheddar cheese and diced fresh jalapeños into the cornbread batter for a savory, zesty version that brings extra texture and heat.
• Rosemary Garlic Option: Incorporate finely chopped fresh rosemary and roasted garlic into the batter, creating an aromatic herb-infused cornbread perfect for complementing hearty meals.

Sweet Potato Honey Cornbread Delight Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets rustic charm in this sweet potato honey cornbread, blending creamy mashed sweet potatoes with golden cornmeal. Warm spices and natural sweetness create a sumptuous side dish that welcomes you to savor each tender, moist crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (245 g) mashed sweet potatoes

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (115 g) melted butter
• ¼ cup (85 g) honey (for the cornbread)

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) salt
• ¼ cup (85 g) honey (for the honey butter)
• ½ cup (115 g) softened butter (for the honey butter)

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or butter to ensure easy removal.
2. Combine yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking until dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. In a separate bowl, mash sweet potatoes until smooth, then integrate eggs, melted unsalted butter, and buttermilk, stirring until the mixture reaches a uniform consistency.
4. Gently fold the sweet potato liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing with minimal strokes to maintain a tender cornbread texture.
5. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a level surface.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, monitoring until the top develops a golden-brown hue and a toothpick inserted at the center emerges clean.
7. While cornbread bakes, whip room-temperature unsalted butter with honey in a small bowl until light and creamy.
8. Remove cornbread from oven and let cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish.
9. Slice into squares and serve warm, accompanied by the honey butter for a luxurious, sweet-savory experience.

Notes

• Elevate your cornbread game by using fresh, high-quality sweet potatoes for a rich, natural sweetness that transforms this classic side dish.
• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to help them blend seamlessly and create a more uniform, tender texture in your cornbread.
• Avoid overmixing the batter – gentle stirring prevents developing tough gluten, guaranteeing a light and fluffy final result.
• Check doneness with the toothpick test, looking for a clean insertion and golden-brown top to achieve perfect moisture and color.
• Customize your honey butter by experimenting with different honey varieties like wildflower or clover for unique flavor profiles.
• Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer preservation and quick reheating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 362 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 267 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 92 mg