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Mom’s Simple Cornbread Recipe without Buttermilk

This classic cornbread recipe has been a family favorite for generations. Made without buttermilk and baked to perfection in an 8×8 inch pan, it can be ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a quick-fix side dish you’ll keep coming back to!

Pile of cornbread pieces in squares on a large serving platter.

What you’ll love about this recipe:


  • IT’S QUICK!– Made with just a few simple ingredients, this simple cornmeal cornbread recipe can be mixed and popped into the oven in just minutes.
  • NO BUTTERMILK NEEDED – Although many cornbread recipes call for buttermilk, this recipe is moist and delicious without it!
  • BAKED IN A 8 X 8 INCH SQUARE PAN – Some southern cornbread recipes are made in a cast iron skillet – but, this recipe of my Mom’s is baked in the oven. If you’re cooking for more than 4-6 people, you can double this recipe and bake it in a 9 x 13 inch pan.
  • CAN DOUBLE AS A BREAKFAST RECIPE! – When I was growing up, this cornbread recipe is what my Mom served for breakfast often. She called it “Johnny Cake”, and we ate it with butter and homemade pancake syrup. Try it. It’s delicious!

Ingredients for Cornmeal Cornbread

Check your pantry & fridge for the following items:

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cup milk (I used 2%)
  • 4 tablespoons oil – I use canola oil

Watch the video of making this Cornbread Recipe

Step by Step Instructions for this Simple Cornbread Recipe

Note: A printable recipe card is provided at the bottom of this post for your convenience. Feel free to print it off to use it later!

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cornmeal. Set this aside.
Dry ingredients for this cornbread recipe being stirred together in a large white mixing bowl with a big spoon.
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – the milk, egg, and oil.
The wet ingredients for this cornbread recipe in a large measuring cup with a whisk in it.
  1. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it. Stir together with a large spoon until the batter is well mixed and smooth, but do not overbeat.
The cornbread batter in a large white mixing bowl with a mixing spoon in it.
  1. Pour the cornbread batter into a lightly greased 8 x 8 inch square pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Baked cornmeal cornbread without buttermilk in a 8 x 8 inch pan

You will know the cornbread is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.

A pan of baked cornbread with a slice taken out of it.
My mom called this recipe “Johnny Cake” and we had it for breakfast served with pancake syrup!

What toppings do you put on cornbread?

Cornbread is a wonderful sidedish that can be served alongside chili and stews, and is a popular sidedish in the South for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. It is best served warm, and often spread with butter, honey, or jam. As I mentioned earlier, our family grew up putting butter and homemade pancake syrup on ours. It’s still my favorite topping!;)

A slice of simple cornbread on a serving plate.

How to store leftover cornbread

To store leftover cornbread, make sure it has cooled completely. Then place it in an airtight container with a lid or a ziploc bag. It will last 3 days at room temperature covered this way. If you store it in the freezer, it can last up to 3 months.

Other Yummy Sidedishes for Soups & Stews

Pin this to remember for later!

A stack of cornbread pieces on a large serving plate with the text "classic cornbread - an easy sidedish for chili and soups" over it.
A stack of cornbread pieces on a serving plate.

Simple Baked Cornbread Recipe without Buttermilk

Yield: 9
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This classic cornbread recipe has been a family favorite for generations. Made without buttermilk and baked to perfection in an 8×8 inch pan, it can be ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a quick-fix side dish you’ll keep coming back to!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cup milk (I used 2%)
  • 4 tablespoons oil – I use canola oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cornmeal. Set this aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – the milk, egg, and oil.
  3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it. Stir together with a large spoon until the batter is well mixed and smooth, but do not overbeat.
  4. Pour the cornbread batter into a lightly greased 8 x 8 inch square pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
  5. You will know the cornbread is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 203Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 366mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 5g

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2 Comments

  1. We also had Johnny Cake when I was a child. I would put it in a bowl and add milk and of course, imitation maple syrup. We couldn’t afford the real maple syrup unless my brother or someone else made it and offered it to us. Fun to remember those childhood memories!

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