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This easy Buttermilk Cornbread recipe has been our go-to for years because of its perfect moist and tender texture and flavor. It's made with just 8 simple ingredients and turns out wonderfully every time!
Want more bread recipes? Try Garlic Knots, Buttermilk Biscuits, The Best Homemade Rolls, or Easy Homemade Breadsticks.
Why I love this Buttermilk Cornbread:
- Easy: I usually have the ingredients on hand and it comes together quickly for an easy side dish to serve with soup, chili, BBQ pork sandwiches, meatloaf, Goulash, Jambalya or Baked Salmon.
- Moist: No one likes dry and crumbly cornbread, and thanks to the buttermilk this cornbread is moist and cake-like.
- Versatile: Use this recipe to make cornbread muffins, or try my other cornbread variations, like skillet cornbread and jalapeño cornbread!
Ingredients Needed:
How to make Buttermilk Cornbread:
Melt butter in skillet or in the microwave. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and then add eggs and beat until well blended.
Combine buttermilk with baking soda and then stir into mixture.
Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until combined, but don't over-mix the batter. You don't want any big lumps of flour or cornmeal, but the batter doesn't need to be completely smooth.
Bake. Pour batter into a greased 8 inch square pan and bake at 375 for 22 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Enjoy homemade cornbread with butter and honey or jam. Serve alongside Slow Cooker Ribs, White Chicken Chili, Beef Stew, or Steak Kabobs.
Freezing Instructions:
Freeze baked and cooled buttermilk cornbread in an airtight freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then rewarm gently in the microwave.
Recipe Variations:
- Muffins: Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
- Buttermilk Cornbread Cast Iron: Follow my instructions for skillet cornbread!
- Corn Flour or Polenta: I would not recommend substituting either corn flour or polenta for the cornmeal in this recipe! The cornmeal is a star ingredient that gives the bread it's unique texture and flavor.
- Jalapeño Cornbread
Buttermilk Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk*
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 inch square pan.
- Melt butter and add to a mixing bowl. Stir in sugars until well combined. Add eggs and stir well.
- Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into the bowl.
- Add cornmeal, flour, and salt and stir until combined. Avoid over-mixing–the batter doesn't need to be completely smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 22-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Notes
- Muffins: Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. I especially love to freeze cornbread muffins, so that I can easily grab one and pop it right in the microwave for a few seconds.
- Buttermilk Cornbread Cast Iron: Follow my instructions for skillet cornbread!
- Corn Flour or Polenta: I would not recommend substituting either corn flour or polenta for the cornmeal in this recipe! The cornmeal is a star ingredient that gives the bread it's unique texture and flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe September 2010. Updated August 2019, July 2021 and October 2023.
Can you use self rising cornmeal in this recipe?
I don’t recommend that. Self rising cornmeal has too much baking soda in it. It might turn out ok, try omitting the baking powder in the recipe.
My only cornbread recipe, my family insists on it!
Delisius!
This will be my go-to cornbread!
Delicious. Will definitely be making again.
Absolutely wonderful! It went down a treat, with butter and honey on top! Delicious, would highly recommend this recipe… Try it!!
Disappointing because it was so bland. Followed the recipe with the exception of halving the sugar (not a fan of sweet cornbread) and doubling the salt (I use unsalted butter only) and it was just blah. The texture was good, but if I use this recipe again I’ll up the salt even more and add chiles and/or cheddar cheese. I baked it in a cupcake tin; this recipe makes an even dozen. Baked at 375 for 20 minutes. There are only two of us here so plan to freeze the rest for future use.
When you change the recipe and call it blah etc., you are calling your own cooking disappointing. It’s not nice to redo something and when it doesn’t turn out to your liking you then give a bad review.
That’s your own creation you don’t like.
@GMA EXACTLY!! Well said!!
Yep! Totally agree! I am so glad he didn’t bring down the ratings because this was super delicious! Love all of the recipes I’ve made here so far! She is turning me into the cook I never knew I could be!
Oh my gosh! I have tried so many cornbread recipes and this is BY FAR the best. So sweet and more like cake. I loved it!
AMAZING and approved by all the boys/men in my house!!! Bakes perfectly!
I only ever make this recipe now. It is incredibly good. Thank you for such a great recipe.