Southern Soul Food Cornbread

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At the heart of Southern kitchens, cornbread serves as a testament to the rich history of soul food. For generations, this staple has nourished Native American and African American families, becoming an integral part of Southern culture.

Southern Soul Food Cornbread - Black Folks Southern Homemade Cornbread

Today, I am reimagining this traditional dish, soul food cornbread, by incorporating ingredients that elevate its simplicity into a luxurious indulgence. By blending the culinary heritage of soul food with a contemporary flair, this recipe promises a homemade cornbread that honors its soulful roots while providing a sumptuous new experience.

What is the difference between cornbread and Southern cornbread?

Unlike Southern-style cornbread, Northern cornbread is less sweet because it uses eggs as a binder and yellow cornmeal, resulting in a crumbly texture.

In contrast, Southern-style cornbread can be made with either white or yellow cornmeal. It has a buttery finish and typically includes a cream, which gives it a cake-like texture.

Southern Cornbread Recipe - What is the difference between cornbread and Southern cornbread?

Black folks’ cornbread recipe

Is sugar in cornbread a Southern thing? Sugar in cornbread might indeed be a (proud) Southern thing. And an African American thing! Many Southern Black recipes tend to favor sweet cornbread over a dry, crumbly version.

According to the Charlotte Observer, this difference may stem from changes in the industrial processing of cornmeal that contribute to the racial divide on this issue.

Ingredients

Making cornbread is a delightful journey into the culinary traditions of soul food. This dish holds significant historical importance within soul food and Southern cuisine. My family’s recipe for soul food cornbread adds an upscale touch by including heavy whipping cream and softened cream cheese, creating a luxurious twist on this classic favorite for a truly homemade treat.

  • Cornmeal – Brings a robust flavor and grainy texture, making it the soul of soul food cornbread. (No cornmeal on hand? Check out my recipe for Jiffy cornbread with cream cheese HERE!)
  • All-purpose flour – Works harmoniously with cornmeal to form a tender crumb, essential for that comforting bite. 
  • Baking powder – Acts as a leavening agent, ensuring the cornbread rises to the occasion with an ideal fluffiness. 
  • Granulated sugar – Balances the savory elements with subtle sweetness, harking back to traditional recipes yet adding a modern twist. 
  • Butter – Infuses the recipe with rich, creamy undertones, contributing to a moist interior beneath a golden crust. Southern cooks prefer using butter instead of oil when making homemade cornbread due to the rich, buttery flavor it imparts.
  • Cream cheese – Introduces a velvety texture and delectable complexity, ensuring each bite is memorably indulgent. 
  • Heavy whipping cream – Elevates the luxuriousness, adding a moist and silky depth that distinguishes this cornbread in Southern cooking. 
Black Folks Skillet Cornbread Ingredients - Why do Southerners put sugar in cornbread?

Why do Southerners put sugar in cornbread?

Southern cornbread was traditionally made with sweet white cornmeal until industrial milling emerged in the early 20th century. After this change, steel mills began using yellow corn harvested before it ripened. As a result, the cornmeal became less sweet, often necessitating the addition of sugar in homemade cornbread recipes.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling?

Creams like heavy cream, sour cream, yogurt, or cream cheese will create a moist, Southern-style cornbread instead of a dry, crumbly version. This recipe uses both cream cheese and heavy whipping cream.

Soul Food Cornbread Recipe - How to make Southern skillet cornbread

How to make Southern skillet cornbread

Making homemade Southern cornbread for a gathering or family meal showcases the richness of soul food recipes and the warmth this dish brings to the table. Baking cornbread is almost a ceremonial act, connecting us to centuries of Southern cooking and culinary heritage. Once it has baked and rested, it slices perfectly, with each piece reflecting the love and care that goes into this comforting soul food.

  1. Melt the butter in the skillet or baking pan that will be used to bake the cornbread.
  2. Mix the ingredients with the cream cheese and heavy cream.
  3. Pour the melted butter into the mixing bowl and mix until combined. 
  4. Pour the prepared cornbread batter into the baking pan or skillet and bake.
Black Soul Food Cornbread Recipe - What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling?

What is the ideal cornbread texture?

The perfect cornbread strikes a delicate balance between crispy edges, a moist interior, and flavorful sweetness. My recipe achieves this balance beautifully by using cornmeal for those ideal edges, incorporating heavy whipping cream for a rich and moist texture, and blending sugar, butter, and cream cheese to create the ultimate harmony of savory and sweet flavors.

How to know when Southern cornbread is done 

The best way to determine when cornbread is done is by checking its color. If the edges are golden brown, it’s likely ready. Another method is to insert a toothpick into the center of the bread and then pull it out. The cornbread is not yet fully cooked if the toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

African American Cornbread Recipe - What do you serve with Black folks' homemade cornbread?
Here I am, serving my freshly baked Southern soul food cornbread recipe!

What do you serve with Black folks’ homemade cornbread?

Cornbread is traditionally paired with Southern soul food entrées. 

Here are some delicious ideas to add to your meal-planning menu: Southern fried chicken, Southern candied yamssoul food collard greens, and soul food baked mac and cheese.

Black Folks Southern Homemade Cornbread

Southern Soul Food Cornbread

Soul food cornbread balances crispy edges, a moist interior, and flavorful sweetness. This Southern from-scratch recipe achieves this beautifully by using cornmeal for those ideal edges, heavy whipping cream for a rich and moist texture, and blending sugar, butter, and cream cheese to create the ultimate harmony of savory and sweet!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Bread
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 8
Calories: 293kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal medium grind
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar granulated
  • cup cream cheese softened or whipped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place the butter in an 8-inch baking pan or skillet and melt in the oven for approximately 5 minutes.
  • While the butter is melting, combine the dry ingredients (cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar) with the cream cheese and heavy cream in a medium-size mixing bowl.
  • Pour the melted butter from the skillet or baking pan into the mixing bowl and mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  • Pour the cornbread batter into the baking pan or skillet.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until the cornbread's edges are crisp and the top is golden. (You can insert a toothpick into the center of the bread and then pull it out. The cornbread is not fully cooked if the toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.)
  • Remove the cornbread from the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes to make slicing easier. After resting, slice, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 704IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1mg
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Black Folks Southern Homemade Cornbread Recipe
The Ultimate Soul Food Recipes Guide
The Ultimate Soul Food Recipes Guide
What is soul food? Soul food recipes are African-American recipes full of flavor! A legacy of Southern cooking the Black way. Check out this collection of the best soul food recipes!
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4.85 from 77 votes (59 ratings without comment)

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25 Comments

  1. This recipe is starving me. LOL!

  2. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!!

  3. Tamra Phelps says:

    5 stars
    My Granny would’ve said cornbread doesn’t use any sugar…her sister would’ve said cornbread has to have sugar, lol! The age old debate rages on… If I’m making it for myself, I’d leave the sugar out, but if I’m making it for my nephews, the sugar gets doubled, lol. Honestly, I can eat it just fine either way. I love cornbread. I’m a Kentucky girl, so pinto beans and cornbread are a staple. I think cornbread is the first thing I ever learned to make and no one ever used a recipe–they ‘eyeballed it’ because they had made it so often they just knew what it should look like. This recipe looks great!

  4. Sue Greene says:

    5 stars
    Mmm… Who doesn’t like cornbread; especially when it is home made?

  5. 5 stars
    sounds really good. I have tried making this and it turned out really good. BUT I did not take to the taste

  6. Ronald Gagnon says:

    5 stars
    I love corn bread…but I have never had Southern skillet cornbread from scratch

  7. 5 stars
    Best cornbread I’ve ever eaten! I love that there are no eggs and the cream cheese and heavy cream keep it moist and easy to eat. This is nothing like my family’s recipe, it’s 1,000 times BETTER! Thank you for sharing this recipe. ❤️

    1. Your sweet words about my signature soul food cornbread recipe warm my heart and make my day!

  8. Theresa Scribner says:

    5 stars
    We love cornbread in New Brunswick, Canada too and look forward to trying your tasty recipe. Never made it with cream cheese though. Thank you.

  9. 5 stars
    I DO NOT LIKE CORNBREAD LOL

    I DO LIKE THIS CORNBREAD IT SO GOOD

    1. 5 stars
      This is the best thing I’ve heard all day! Thanks so much for your honest feedback.

  10. Jaclyn Rae says:

    5 stars
    Very good as an alternative to a very sweet cornbread recipe that I love. I enjoy the slight tartness from the cream cheese and like the fact that it’s not made with eggs. Drizzled a little honey butter on top. Yum!

  11. Wanda Morris says:

    This recipe doesn’t use eggs is there a reason for this

  12. 5 stars
    Haven’t tried your recipe yet but I am a Southerner and DO NOT use butter, eggs, cream or sugar in my cornbread. I use cornmeal (not cornmeal mix), vegetable oil and buttermilk—always cook it on or in a cast iron skillet, cast iron griddle or cast iron muffin or corn stick pans. I’ll try your recipe—hope it doesn’t taste like cake.

  13. Bonquiqui Shaniqua says:

    5 stars
    this looks super yum, cant wait to try in my culinary class at Rosemont High School, 6th period culinary, and show them what food with flavor taste like🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷😘😘😘😘😘😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

  14. 5 stars
    Nice recipe! I’m a white guy living in the north but from all southern roots. Both my grandmothers made cornbread similar minus whipping cream or cream cheese – instead some salt, whole milk (straight from the cow because they were farmers) (or buttermilk) and maybe half butter half lard (because bacon fat was always saved for cooking. And it actually has a pretty neutral flavor.) The sweetness thing is interesting because I always thought it was northerners who added more sugar to their Johnnycake but maybe I’m wrong. Sugar was expensive – so very often they used just a bit of sorghum molasses as a sweetener. Wish we had sorghum up north. Love that with biscuits and butter as dessert for some biscuits and gravy I’m saving your site to follow for more recipes. Cheers!