Nana’s Cornbread — Golden Edges, Warm Memories Recipe
Nana’s Cornbread offers a nostalgic taste with its golden edges and moist, tender crumb. This classic Southern-style cornbread blends the sweetness of granulated sugar with the rich flavor of buttermilk and melted butter, baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet or baking dish. Perfect as a comforting side dish or snack, it brings warm memories to any table.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish or a cast-iron skillet to prevent sticking and help achieve crisp edges.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted and cooled unsalted butter, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The batter will be slightly lumpy—avoid overmixing to keep the cornbread tender.
- Pour and Spread Batter: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish or cast-iron skillet and spread evenly to ensure consistent baking and golden edges.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cornbread to cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, optionally with honey or butter for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- For a sweeter cornbread, increase the granulated sugar from 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup.
- Serve warm with honey or butter for enhanced flavor and richness.
- Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy crust and classic texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a light and tender crumb.
Keywords: cornbread, southern cornbread, classic cornbread, baked cornbread, Nana's cornbread, cornbread recipe, warm cornbread