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How to Make Your Cornbread Fluffy

How to Make Your Cornbread Fluffy

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Cornbread is a pillar of almost every dinner table in the south, and over the past few years, it has gained popularity all over the country.

It’s a versatile dish that can be served in a wide variety of ways. Whether you prefer it sweet by adding honey or savory by topping it off with some herbs, there’s a cornbread recipe for every taste bud.

However, the main pitfall that people struggle with when making cornbread is failing to make it fluffy and moist.

If that’s you, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we go over how to make cornbread fluffy and how to spice up its flavor profile.

How to Make Your Own Fluffy Cornbread

There’s nothing quite like making your homemade food from A to Z. It brings a unique satisfaction and that unrivaled homey feel to the result.

Let’s now dive into the ingredients required and the steps you need to take to make some scrumptious fluffy cornbread.

Ingredients You Will Need to Make Fluffy Homemade Cornbread

With these ten easy-to-use ingredients, you’ll be able to cook up some delicious cornbread with that fluffy, moist texture you’re looking for.

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

  • 4 ¼ ounces all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole-grain yellow cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of teaspoon salt (the key to a rich fluffy texture!)
  • 2 medium-sized eggs
  • ⅓ cup Honey or maple syrup (optional for sweet cornbread)
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt (whole-milk or low-fat)
  • ½ cup Milk (switch to dairy-free milk according to your personal preference)
  • ¼ cup softened butter (salted or unsalted)

Step-By-Step Guide to Making Cornbread at Home from Scratch

This recipe is super simple. It takes just half an hour, and all you’ll need in addition to the ingredients listed above are a couple of bowls, whisks, and a baking pan.

Step 1: Grease the Pan

Prep a 9-inch pan by greasing it with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

You will also need to preheat your oven to 400℉.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Portions

Next, you need to add all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, and cornmeal) to a large pot and whisk. After you’ve mixed them thoroughly, set them aside for now.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Portions

Get a second bowl and do the same for the wet ingredients (yogurt, milk, eggs, and honey if you’re making sweet cornbread.) Mix them well, but be careful to not overdo it.

Step 4: Blend the Whole Batter

In a deep bowl, pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix them well with a whisk or a spatula.

Just remember to pour gradually to avoid crumbling the batter all at once.

Then add the softened butter to the mixture and continue stirring until the ingredients start to combine. Once you feel like you can’t tell the different components apart, it’s time to stop.

Again, it’s important to make sure that you don’t over-stir. Otherwise, it might end up being chewy and bland.

Step 5: Pour the Batter and Bake to Perfection

Bake the batter for 18 to 25 minutes. You’ll know when it’s time to take your cornbread out of the oven using the toothpick test.

Cornbread passes this test when you can puncture it with a toothpick and take it out with no-to-minimal crumbs latched on to it.

How to Make Boxed Cornbread Fluffy and Moist

In case you don’t have the luxury of time, you can still enjoy cornbread by buying ready-made mix from your nearest grocery store.

On the plus side, it’s easy and quick to fix, but it can often come pale in comparison with the real deal.

That’s often because the box mentions only the basic ingredients you need to make a palatable serving.

That doesn’t have to be the case, though. By making a few additions and modifications to boxed cornbread, you can get it just as fluffy and delicious as its homemade counterpart.

Here are some useful pointers on how to do just that:

Add Mayonnaise or Sour Cream

Adding mayonnaise to your cornbread mix is a great way to give its texture and moisture a strong boost.

A half a cup of mayonnaise for each box of cornbread mix is enough to enhance the fluffiness of the result without compromising its flavor.

If you don’t want mayonnaise in your cornbread, try swapping it for sour cream.

A touch of sour cream to your recipe goes a long way in making your cornbread richer and fluffier.

Add half a cup of sour cream for every box of cornbread mix used.

Mix In Some Greek Yogurt

By adding some rich, creamy Greek yogurt to your recipe, you’ll end up with cornbread that’s fluffy and moist.

Swap to honey-flavored Greek yogurt if you’re preparing sweet cornbread.

Give Cornbread Extra Baking Time

Adding your own touches to the ingredient list might not be enough. Some people prefer to leave it in the oven a bit longer than usual.

The rule of thumb is to add 5 minutes to the baking time specified on the box. However, you also need to make sure to not over-bake.

You should take it out of the oven when it has gained that golden brown look and when it’s passed the toothpick test.

Pairing Ideas to Boost Cornbread Flavor

Here are some ways to add some more punch to your boxed cornbread’s flavor:

Butter Up the Bread

This step is an essential one that’s often left unmentioned in the preparation instructions that come on the box.

By adding a tablespoon of butter to the cornbread mix, you’ll make it more held together, as opposed to crumbling all over the place. Shift to vegetable oil if you’re short on butter.

You should also serve cornbread slathered in butter since it always adds a nice kick to the flavor profile.

Embrace the Sweet Tooth

If you prefer your cornbread sweet, this is sure to be a match made in heaven.

The maple will add significant sweetness and depth to your cornbread’s flavor. With the crunchy walnut texture, this flavor profile will make your tastebuds ecstatic.

You can even chop up some seasonal fruits and make a colorful side dish to enjoy with your freshly-baked bread!

Go Savory

If sweet works well with cornbread, savory pairs are even better!

For a warm winter snack, fix yourself a plate of chili and top up with peppers and shredded cheddar.

Alternatively, you can try a mix of bacon and green beans to prepare a hearty meal. Add some twice-baked potatoes to the mix if you want to load up on the carbohydrates.

The possibilities here are endless, and you’ll hardly run out of savory pairings to go along with your homemade cornbread.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re making cornbread from scratch or using boxed cornbread mix, you want it to be as moist and airy as possible.

You might think that figuring out how to make cornbread fluffy is easier said than done.

However, with the right recipes and tips highlighted in this article, rest assured that almost everyone who tries your cornbread will be dying to know your recipe!

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