There’s something incredibly comforting about the rich, moist texture of a warm slice of cornbread straight from the skillet, especially when it’s studded with sweet creamed corn. This Creamed Corncornbread Recipe captures that perfect balance—with a tender crumb that’s not too sweet, making it a standout side or snack you'll keep coming back to.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I adore this Creamed Corncornbread Recipe because it combines the best of moist, buttery cornbread with the natural sweetness and creaminess of creamed corn, yielding a texture that’s soft but with a little crunch on the edges. It’s so simple to pull together, yet feels special every time.
- Perfectly Moist Texture: The creamed corn keeps the cornbread tender and juicy inside, avoiding that dry crumb you sometimes get.
- Quick and Easy: No fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just trusty pantry staples and a quick mix.
- Cast Iron Skillet Magic: Baking it in a hot skillet produces that unbeatable crust just right for soaking up butter and honey.
- Versatile Flavor: Not too sweet, so it pairs with savory mains or even a drizzle of honey for dessert-worthy moments.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every component here plays its part in creating that classic yet moist cornbread texture. The medium grind cornmeal brings that rustic corn flavor without being gritty, and the creamed corn adds moisture and natural sweetness. Butter and eggs enrich the batter for a tender crumb, while baking powder gives that gentle lift.
- Yellow Cornmeal: I like a medium grind to give the bread a bit of texture without it being gritty; polenta works great if you can’t find classic cornmeal.
- Flour (plain/all-purpose): Balances the cornmeal, lending structure so the bread doesn't crumble apart.
- Baking Powder: The magic leavener here, ensuring your cornbread rises with a light crumb.
- White Sugar: Just enough sweetness to complement the corn, but not overpower it.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Canned Creamed Corn: This ingredient is my secret weapon—adds moisture and those delightful pockets of creamy sweetness.
- Melted Butter (unsalted): Richness and flavor, plus it helps create that golden crust from the hot skillet.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and give the batter a nice lift.
- Milk: To thin out the batter just right so it pours smoothly into the skillet.
- Butter (for greasing & brushing): Ensures the cornbread doesn’t stick and adds buttery crispness to the edges.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Creamed Corncornbread Recipe is how easy it is to tweak—whether that’s adding a smidge of spice or swapping ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Variation: Sometimes, I toss in diced jalapeños or a handful of shredded cheddar cheese for an extra kick and melty texture—totally delicious!
- Dairy-Free: You can swap the milk for almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative with great results.
- Gluten-Free: If you want to go gluten-free, try using a cup of all-cornmeal or a mix of gluten-free flour blends; the texture will be slightly different but still moist.
- Sweetness Level: Feel free to reduce the sugar if you prefer a less sweet cornbread or add a tablespoon of honey to the batter for a natural sweetness boost.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamed Corncornbread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Skillet and Oven
This step is key. Slide your clean 10-inch cast iron skillet into the oven and crank the heat to 220°C (425°F). The hot skillet helps develop that crisp, golden crust when the batter hits it—trust me, it makes all the difference and feels fancy even though it’s so simple.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a bowl and whisk together your cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Making sure these are evenly combined upfront helps your batter come together smoothly with no clumps or uneven pockets of leavening.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the creamed corn, melted butter, lightly whisked eggs, and milk. Mixing the wet ingredients thoroughly ensures a consistent batter without overworking it.
Step 4: Blend Wet into Dry
Pour your wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Don’t overmix here; a few small lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to tougher cornbread, and we want tender and light.
Step 5: Butter the Hot Skillet and Add Batter
Carefully pull the hot skillet from the oven and quickly add about a tablespoon of butter. Swirl it around so the base and sides are coated (watch out for the heat!). Then pour the batter in and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Turn the oven down to 190°C (375°F) and bake the cornbread for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the top to turn a light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted should come out clean. When you press lightly, the surface should spring back. Let it cool for about 15 minutes in the skillet before serving or turning out.
Top Tip
From my experience, the trick to making your Creamed Corncornbread Recipe shine is mastering the skillet heat and not overmixing that batter. Those seem like little steps, but they push this from good to absolute showstopper.
- Get that Skillet Smoking Hot: Don’t skip preheating your cast iron—it gives you a crust with so much flavor and a slight caramelization that baking on a plain pan just can’t replicate.
- Handle the Batter Gently: Stir until combined but don’t overdo it, or your cornbread will be dense rather than tender and fluffy.
- Butter and Swirl Quickly: The butter melts instantly on a hot skillet—swirl it fast to coat well and prevent sticking.
- Watch the Bake Time: Ovens vary, so start checking around 25 minutes to avoid dryness, and rely on the toothpick test plus springiness to know it’s done.
How to Serve Creamed Corncornbread Recipe
Garnishes
I often top mine with a pat of melting butter and, if I’m feeling indulgent, a drizzle of honey. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like thyme or chives adds a lovely fresh contrast, especially when serving alongside savory dishes.
Side Dishes
This cornbread pairs perfectly with chili, pulled pork, or a hearty bowl of soup. I also love it alongside classic Southern favorites like baked beans and collard greens for a comforting, soul-warming meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve baked this cornbread in individual cast iron mini skillets, turning each into a charming personal bread bowl. It’s also fun to serve squares stacked on a wooden platter with small bowls of honey butter and jam for guests to help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I wrap leftover cornbread tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm, the fridge helps keep it fresh, but be prepared to warm it up before serving to restore that freshly-baked softness.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully—just wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then pop into a freezer bag. It keeps well for up to 3 months. When you want some, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
Reheating
I reheat slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes wrapped loosely in foil, or pop them in a skillet with a little butter to revive that crispy edge and warm the inside. Microwave works in a pinch but can make the texture a bit dense.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but fresh corn won’t have the same creamy liquid component as canned creamed corn. To mimic that, cook down fresh corn kernels with a little cream or milk until it softens and becomes creamy, then use that in the recipe. Otherwise, texture and moisture levels might differ.
While the cast iron skillet ensures the signature crust and even baking, you can use any oven-safe baking dish or metal pan. Just melt butter in the pan and preheat it before adding batter, if possible, to try and replicate that effect. Baking times might vary slightly, so keep an eye on it.
Yes! Use flax eggs or other egg replacements, substitute milk with plant-based alternatives, and swap the butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil. The creamed corn is usually dairy-free, but check labels just in case. Texture will be close, though slightly different from the original.
Overmixing the batter can cause dense cornbread, so mix just until ingredients combine. Also, baking at too low a temperature or for too long can dry it out—make sure your oven is preheated properly and check doneness a bit early. Finally, not enough fat or creamed corn can make it less moist, so follow the recipe ratios.
Final Thoughts
This Creamed Corncornbread Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire—it’s one of those simple comfort foods that feels like a warm hug after a busy day. With its tender crumb and buttery crust, it’s a recipe I happily share with friends, knowing they’ll keep it close and make it their go-to. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover how effortless and satisfying homemade cornbread can be!
Print
Creamed Corncornbread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A moist and flavorful Northern-style cornbread made with creamed corn, delivering a subtly sweet and tender crumb. Perfectly baked in a cast iron skillet, this quick and easy cornbread pairs beautifully with butter and honey for a comforting side or snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup yellow cornmeal, medium grind
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup canned creamed corn
- ½ cup (125g) unsalted melted butter
- 2 eggs, lightly whisked
- ¾ cup milk
For Cooking
- 1 - 2 tablespoon melted butter (for greasing and brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat Skillet: Place a 26cm (10") cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 220°C (425°F) while preparing the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, white sugar, and salt. Stir to evenly distribute.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the creamed corn, melted butter, eggs, and milk until well combined.
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix to retain tenderness.
- Prepare Skillet: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Add 1 tablespoon of melted butter, swirling it around to coat the base and halfway up the sides, or use a brush for even coverage.
- Pour and Smooth Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and smooth the surface evenly.
- Bake: Reduce the oven temperature to 190°C (375°F) and bake the cornbread for 30 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cornbread should spring back when lightly pressed.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cornbread cool in the skillet for 15 minutes before turning out onto a serving platter or cutting board. Serve warm with butter and honey for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- This cornbread is super moist with a tender crumb and not too sweet.
- Using a cast iron skillet helps achieve a crispy crust while keeping the inside soft.
- You can substitute milk with buttermilk for a richer flavor and slightly tangy taste.
- For a different texture, try adding whole kernel corn or jalapeños.
- Serve warm for best taste; it also reheats well.
- Try the recipe as muffins for easier portion control and quicker cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 234 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
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