Black Folks Southern Homemade Cornbread

Corn is a common ingredient in Southern soul food recipes.

That’s why it’s to no surprise that there are many variations for how to make cornbread.

One traditional soul food recipe is Southern homemade Black folks skillet cornbread. 

This recipe does not use a box mix like Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (which makes a tasty Southern cornbread recipe, btw). 

Instead, cornmeal is used to make this cornbread recipe from scratch.

What is the difference between cornbread and Southern cornbread?

Unlike Southern-style cornbread, Northern cornbread isn’t very sweet because it’s made with fewer eggs and yellow cornmeal for a more crumbly texture. 

On the other hand, Southern-style cornbread can be made with white or yellow cornmeal because it has a buttery finish and calls for egg or creams to produce a cake-like texture.

Why does sugar in cornbread divide races in the South?

Is sugar in cornbread a Southern thing? Sugar in cornbread might indeed be a (proud) Southern thing.

And an African American thing!

Most Southern Black people’s recipes lean toward sweet cornbread instead of a dry, crumbly type.

As the Charlotte Observer notes, the race divide on this issue may have resulted from an industrial change in the processing of cornmeal.

Why do Southerners put sugar in cornbread?

Southern cornmeal was made with sweet white cornmeal until industrial milling came along in the early 20th century. 

After that time, steel mills used yellow corn harvested before it was ripe. So the cornmeal was less sweet, requiring the addition of sugar for homemade cornbread recipes.

Is it better to make cornbread with butter or oil?

Is oil or butter better for cornbread? 

Although mainly a personal preference, Southern African American cooks choose butter over oil when making homemade cornbread because of the buttery-rich flavor it yields. 

Instead of oil, modern cornbread recipes will include heavy cream, yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese to make the cornbread tender and moist while still incorporating butter for its flavor.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling?

Egg or the addition of creams like heavy cream, sour cream, yogurt, or cream cheese will achieve a Southern-style, moist cake cornbread instead of a dryer crumbly version.

3 ways to keep cornbread from crumbling 

To achieve a delicious, moist batch of homemade Southern cornbread, use at least one of the three:

1. Egg
2. Butter
3. Cream

What kind of baking dish do you use for Black folks homemade cornbread?

Skillet cornbread is probably hands down the most Southern and the easiest way to bake cornbread.

But what size skillet is best for cornbread recipes?

The best Southern cooks swear by the straightforward method of using an 8″ cast-iron skillet. 

Kitchen equipment for Black folks skillet cornbread

• Instant Pot Omni Plus oven
• 8″ cast-iron skillet

Shop my kitchenware HERE!

Ingredients for Black folks Southern homemade cornbread

• 1 cup of medium grind cornmeal
• ⅔ cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• ⅔ cup of cream cheese, softened or whipped

Instructions for Black folks Southern homemade cornbread 

1. Preheat the conventional oven or Instant Pot Omni Plus oven to bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes (although you may not use all of this time for melting the butter). 
2. Place the butter in an 8-inch baking pan or skillet and melt in the oven for approximately 5 minutes.
3. 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.
4. Pour the melted butter from the baking pan into the mixing bowl and mix all the ingredients together. 
5. Pour the cornbread batter into the baking pan or skillet.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F. In the conventional oven, bake for 20-25 minutes. In the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven, bake for 18-20 minutes.

Wanna make homemade cornbread with corn kernels?

Check out this Southern cornbread recipe with corn HERE!

What do you serve with Black folks homemade cornbread?

What do Southerners eat with cornbread?

Cornbread is traditionally paired with Southern soul food entrées. 

Here are some delicious ideas to add to your meal planning menu:

Southern-style chicken

Air fryer crispy buttermilk chicken

Black folks Southern candied yams

Black folks soul food collard greens

Black folks baked mac and cheese

Southern creamed corn recipe

Black folks homemade Southern skillet cornbread FAQs

What is another name for Southern cornbread?

Similar to cornbread, in the Deep South, Southern cornbread recipes are also known as hoe cakes.

Hoe cakes are little pancake-fried cornbread instead of a whole pan or sheet of Southern cornbread baked to cut into individual pieces.

What is the ideal cornbread texture?

The perfect cornbread is a delicate balance of crispy edges, a moist interior, and flavorful sweetness. 

What size baking dish do you use for homemade cornbread?

To cook the cornbread, an 8″ medium-sized skillet works best.

Or you can use a 8″ or similar size baking pan. 

Can this be made in individual muffins in a muffin pan?

Are there any changes to make these into muffins?

Yes, but it’s important to note that the baking time will not be the same. 

If you plan to make muffins instead, not that cornbread muffins cook faster than cornbread in a skillet. 

What is the best type of cornmeal to use for cornbread?

You can use either yellow or white cornmeal for this Southern recipe. 

The taste is similar and good, but one comes from white corn kernels, while the other is from the yellow kernels of corn.

Could you use a cornbread mix?

Yes, you can make homemade cornbread and even homemade cornbread dressing with some help from a favorite cornbread mix like Jiffy.

Or you can make it all on your own by preparing cornbread from scratch with this recipe. 

How do you know when cornbread is done?

The best way to tell when cornbread is done is by looking at the color. 

If it has a golden-brown crust, then you’re probably all set. 

Another way to know if it’s done is by poking a toothpick in the center of the bread and pulling it out. 

If there are moist crumbs on the toothpick, then your cornbread is not ready.

But if the toothpick comes out clean, it means your cornbread is ready to eat!

What did you think of this Southern soul food recipe for Black folks homemade cornbread?

This recipe will leave everyone happy at any dinner table. Plus, it’s pretty straightforward and simple to make.

Don’t hesitate to give this Sunday soul food and Southern Thanksgiving favorite homemade cornbread recipe a try.

Add this recipe to your soul food Christmas dinner menu and New Year’s soul food menu, too!

Have you had it?

Would you make it? 

Comment below and lemme know. 

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