Easy, Homemade Classic Southern Cornbread

Easy, Homemade Classic Southern Style Cornbread is the best, traditional cast iron skillet cornbread recipe made from scratch. This old fashioned, soul food staple is made with cornmeal and buttermilk and is served sweet or savory (with no sugar) and with a moist interior.  Feel free to add corn or use the batter for muffins!

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This post was originally published in 2019. It has since been updated.

What Type of Cornmeal to Use

You will need yellow cornmeal along with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix

You can also use self-rising cornmeal which replaces the need for cornmeal, flour, and baking powder because it’s already mixed with self-rising all-purpose flour (which produces AMAZING cornbread). You can purchase it here, it’s available here on Amazon. If you go this route you will need 2 cups for this recipe.

How to Make Southern Style Cornbread

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Add melted butter to a cast iron skillet.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add in eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Stir.
4. Pour the mixture into the pan.
5. Bake.

Baking Temperature

The cornbread should be baked in the oven on 400 degrees.

Do You Have to Use a Cast Iron Skillet?

My firm opinion is yes if you want the best tasting cornbread, especially one with a crispy crust. A cast iron will also cook the cornbread more evenly. But you can still use this recipe without a cast iron. You can use an 8×8 baking dish/cake pan.

The cornbread will taste much better using a cast iron skillet and it is traditionally prepared using one.

Do You Have to Use Baking Powder?

Yes, unless you use self-rising cornmeal mix. Baking powder is needed in order for the cornbread to rise.

How to Get Cornbread With Crispy Edges and Crust

To get a really crispy crust, be sure to add your batter to a piping hot, buttered skillet. This recipe will produce cornbread that has a crispy crust and somewhat crumbly interior. Southern cornbread is typically a little crumbly, as it pairs well with chili, collard greens, stews, and more.

Do You Add Sugar? Is it Sweet Cornbread

Typically, Southerners don’t sweeten classic cornbread, but you can if you wish. Using 1/2 cup will produce cornbread with a hint of sweetness. If you like really sweet cornbread, consider adding a cup of sugar or sweetener.

Why Does My Cornbread Crumble?

Southern cornbread is meant to crumble some, period. However, you should be able to slice it and remove pieces from the pan. It should crumble, but it shouldn’t be crumbly. It will begin to crumble as you are eating it.

Be sure not to over mix the batter when you combine the dry and wet ingredients. This is a common baking rule of thumb. Over-mixing will lead to large cracks in the crust and a lot of crumble. Only mix well enough to combine the ingredients.

Why is this Dish Popular in the South?

Cornbread is so popular because it pairs wonderfully with southern food staples like these.

Side Dishes to Pair With

Southern Collard Greens
Southern Mustard Greens
Collard Greens
Southern Green Beans
Classic Butter Beans Recipe
Southern Coleslaw Recipe
Southern Baked Beans
Southern Potato Salad
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Southern Green Beans

Main Dishes to Pair With

Louisiana Gumbo
Smothered Turkey Wings
Tamale Pie
Red Beans and Rice

Click here for a complete list of Southern Soul Food Recipes.

Recipe Tips

• You can use vegetable oil instead of butter if you wish.
• You can substitute/make your own buttermilk if you wish by combining milk and vinegar (or lemon). Get instructions on How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute here.
• Cornbread is best served hot and fresh, but can be made up to 8 hours ahead of time.
• I store leftover cornbread in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• To freeze the cornbread, wrap it in foil or in plastic wrap for 2-3 months. Thaw on the counter at room temperature for a few hours.

I also love to make this recipe using a cast-iron wedge pan. I have always been terrible at cutting and slicing into baked goods. I think I get nervous and the ability to cut even slices of cake or even country cornbread has always been intimidating.

Using this wedge pan has worked wonders! I generally coat it will oil and butter and nothing sticks! It’s a lifesaver and will definitely produce pretty cornbread if you are serving it for guests for Thanksgiving or any holiday.

More Cornbread Recipes

Honey Cornbread
Air Fryer Cornbread
Keto Low Carb Cornbread
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Homemade Maple Butter
Homemade Blueberry Cornbread
Cornbread Muffins
Pumpkin Cornbread
Seafood Dressing Recipe
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Cornbread Casserole

Get a full listing of Soul Food Thanksgiving Recipes and the Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.