Never Fail Cornbread

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves: 8 Cuisine: American

A classic, moist cornbread with a tender crumb, perfect as a side dish for Southern, comfort, or family meals, featuring rich corn flavor and a lightly sweet taste.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick butter or margarine
  • 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon soda
  • 1 scant teaspoon sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Melt butter or margarine in a Corning Ware baking dish.
  2. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, soda, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Add buttermilk and melted butter to the dry ingredients.
  4. Mix well until smooth.
  5. Return the mixture to the baking dish.
  6. Bake at 350°F until done, approximately 25 minutes.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using melted unsalted butter instead of margarine. If you’re out of buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. This cornbread can also be enhanced with add-ins like cheddar cheese or jalapeños for an extra kick, similar to some American recipes.

Serving Suggestions

This cornbread is delicious served warm with a pat of butter on top. It pairs beautifully with chili or soups, making it a great accompaniment to hearty meals. Consider serving it alongside dishes like creamy frozen fruit cups for a refreshing contrast, or with a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm the cornbread in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds until heated through.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Never Fail Cornbread contains roughly 230 calories, with 6g protein, 49g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (15% of the Daily Value), iron (14% of the Daily Value), and protein (11% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 991mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).

230 kcal 11% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 5.5g 11% DV
Total Fat 2.1g 3% DV
Carbs 48.8g 18% DV
Fiber 4.3g 15% DV
Sugar 0.7g 1% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 991.2mg 43% DV
Potassium 190.5mg 4% DV
Cholesterol 1.1mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 8.4mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 5.5mg 6% DV
Vitamin D 0.1mcg
Calcium 149.2mg 11% DV
Iron 2.5mg 14% DV
Diet fit Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cornbread gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that the baking powder and other ingredients are also certified gluten-free for best results.

How can I make cornbread sweeter?

If you prefer a sweeter cornbread, you can increase the sugar in the recipe to 1-2 teaspoons or add honey or maple syrup to the batter. Adjusting the sweetness will complement the savory flavors beautifully.

Can I add ingredients like corn or jalapeños?

Absolutely! Adding fresh or canned corn gives a delightful texture and sweetness. Chopped jalapeños can add a spicy kick. Fold these ingredients into the batter just before baking for a delicious variation.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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