Honey Cornbread Recipe
Honey Cornbread Recipe (Sweet, Buttery & Golden Baked Cornbread)
Serve this warm with butter, chili, soup, BBQ, fried chicken, or your favorite comfort food dinners for the perfect homemade side dish.
This honey cornbread is soft, buttery, sweet, and baked until beautifully golden in a cast iron skillet. Made with honey, sugar, and simple pantry ingredients, this homemade cornbread has the perfect balance of sweetness and rich buttery flavor with a tender crumb and crisp golden edges.
Baking it in an enameled cast iron skillet gives the cornbread a gorgeous bakery-style finish while helping create those slightly crisp edges everyone loves. It’s cozy, comforting, and one of those classic recipes that instantly makes dinner feel homemade.
Whether you serve it with chili, soups, holiday meals, or BBQ, this sweet honey cornbread is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Cornbread
- Soft and moist texture
- Sweet honey flavor
- Beautiful golden crust
- Easy homemade recipe
- Perfect with chili and soups
- Baked in cast iron for crispy edges
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey
Why Bake Cornbread in Cast Iron?
Cast iron helps create:
- crisp golden edges
- even baking
- beautiful browning
- classic homemade cornbread texture
An enameled cast iron skillet also holds heat beautifully, helping the cornbread bake evenly while staying soft in the center.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Grease an enameled cast iron skillet or baking dish with butter.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl combine:
- cornmeal
- flour
- sugar
- baking powder
- salt
Whisk together until combined.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl whisk together:
- milk
- eggs
- melted butter
- honey
4. Combine the Batter
Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Stir until just combined.
Do not overmix.
5. Bake
Pour batter into prepared cast iron skillet.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Serve
Brush the top with extra melted butter or drizzle with honey if desired.
Serve warm.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Servings: 8–10
Tips for the Best Cornbread
Don’t Overmix
Overmixing can make cornbread dense instead of tender.
Warm the Skillet
A warm cast iron skillet helps create crisp edges.
Use Real Honey
It gives the cornbread the best flavor and moisture.
Add Extra Butter
Brushing melted butter over the top makes it even better.
Variations
Honey Butter Cornbread
Serve with whipped honey butter.
Jalapeño Honey Cornbread
Add diced jalapeños for sweet heat.
Cheddar Cornbread
Mix shredded cheddar cheese into the batter.
Maple Honey Cornbread
Add a little maple syrup for deeper sweetness.
Jennie’s Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about homemade cornbread baking in cast iron. The smell alone makes the kitchen feel cozy.
I especially love the slightly crisp golden edges mixed with the soft sweet center. The honey gives it such a rich flavor without making it overly sweet, and it pairs perfectly with chili or BBQ.
This is one of those recipes that feels simple and old-fashioned in the best possible way.
What to Serve with Honey Cornbread
- Chili
- BBQ ribs
- Fried chicken
- Soup
- Baked beans
- Pulled pork
Storage
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days
- Reheat with butter before serving
- Freeze for up to 2 months
This honey cornbread recipe is sweet, buttery, soft, and baked perfectly golden in cast iron. With crisp edges and rich honey flavor, it’s the perfect comforting homemade side dish for family dinners, holidays, and cozy meals.
