The Best Way To Keep Your Cornbread Moist - Tasting Table (2024)

ByBradley M. Geiser/

If you ever baked cornbread, chances are your first few pans weren't quite up to snuff, with batch after batch all yielding similarly disappointing results. Baking is often compared to science, as changes to the ingredients, process, or timing often snowball into the ultimate kitchen nightmare scenario — in this case, dry cornbread.

It happens to the best of us: The flour was measured right, your oven temperature perfectly calibrated ... butalas, the cornbread fell apart before you could even cut into it, leaving you with something more akin to mediocre corn croutons. Not crispy enough for a satisfying crunch, yet far too dense to chew, and a dry, crumbly mess.

How can you offset such a disaster when even boxed cornbread can yield unpalatable results? The culprit can be hard to pinpoint, but withone simple tip and a little experimenting, you can make reliably moist cornbread every time.

Try adding sour cream

The Best Way To Keep Your Cornbread Moist - Tasting Table (2)

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Back To My Southern Rootsshares a tip for elevating cornbread, adding one simple ingredient you likely already have in your fridge (especially if you're planning to pair your cornbread with spicy chili) — sour cream.

In addition to added moisture, sour cream brings a little fat and acid to your cornbread recipe, which Back To My Southern Roots describes as nicely complimenting the sweet and savory flavors without being overpowering. If you'reuneasy about the addition,Blog Chefsays youcan add a drop of vanilla to mellow it out; while those who want even more of the tangy flavor can replace the milk in the recipe with sour cream entirely. (If you find only using sour cream makes your cornbread too dense, thin the batter out a bit with water.) It all depends on personal preference, and once you understand the basics, you can start experimenting to see what works best for you.

Back To My Southern Roots notes that while adding sugar to your recipe isn't vital, it can help balance the sour cream's flavor and keep your cornbread sweet. According to Imperial Sugar, the ingredient also helps baked goods stay moist and soft.

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The Best Way To Keep Your Cornbread Moist - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

The Best Way To Keep Your Cornbread Moist - Tasting Table? ›

Try adding sour cream

How do I keep my cornbread moist? ›

10 Easy Ways to Keep Cornbread Moist
  1. Don't overcook it. Over-cooking cornbread is possibly the number one reason why your cornbread is dry. ...
  2. Don't over-mix it. ...
  3. Add in some Flour. ...
  4. Use Buttermilk instead of regular milk. ...
  5. Add in some oil. ...
  6. Add in some sour cream. ...
  7. Add in an extra egg. ...
  8. Add Corn to the batter.
Jul 6, 2022

Why does cornbread taste dry? ›

Cornbread is known for being dry, and that's because it's not properly hydrated. This can lead to unpleasant. hard bits that get stuck in your teeth, making the final product taste even drier. Start by soaking your cornmeal and buttermilk overnight. or up to 24 hours.

Should you let cornbread batter sit before baking? ›

We recommend allowing cornbread batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking, so if you prefer, you can delay heating the oven until you make the batter. 2Melt the butter, and then set aside to cool slightly.

Should you grease a pan for cornbread? ›

To achieve the crispiest golden crust on your cornbread, Delk Adams instructs you to grease the skillet liberally with bacon grease (if you don't have that, shortening, butter, or oil will do), then pop it into the hot oven for 5 minutes before pouring the batter in.

How do you store cornbread so it doesn't dry out? ›

Cornbread can be stored at room temperature as long as it's kept in a dark and dry place, like a cupboard. Make sure the cornbread has fully cooled down before you store it. Wrap the loaf in aluminum foil or plastic wrap two times, and then place it in a zip-tight plastic bag.

Is cornbread better with milk or water? ›

Can I substitute water for milk in cornbread mix? Yes, you can, but it may result in a less rich flavor. If you're out of milk, try using cream or half-and-half, evaporated or powdered milk, or even plain yogurt. If you have dietary restrictions, try soy milk or oat milk.

What does adding an extra egg to Jiffy cornbread mix do? ›

The extra egg which is increased protein and binder makes the cornbread denser and heavier in texture.

How do you make dry cornbread moist again? ›

DRY CORNBREAD
  1. Use a moist paper towel to cover the cornbread. Fully wrapping the cornbread can also work great to lock in moisture. ...
  2. Wrap in aluminum foil to prevent burning.
  3. Brush butter on top to add moisture (and flavor!). ...
  4. Sprinkle the top of the cornbread lightly with sugar.
Nov 20, 2022

Is it better to use oil or butter in cornbread? ›

Using oil will make your cornbread tender and moist while butter will give you heavier bread. Why do you get such different qualities from these fats? This is largely due to the fact that at room temperature, oil is a liquid while butter is a solid.

Should cornbread batter be thick or thin? ›

The batter should be thick, but still pourable. Add more milk or buttermilk if necessary. Remove the skillet from the oven and tilt the pan so the butter coats the bottom and sides of pan.

What temperature do you cook homemade cornbread at? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and coat the inside of a 9-inch pie plate or 8×8 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Make sure these are really well stirred together.

Is it better to bake cornbread in a glass or metal pan? ›

A cast iron skillet is your best choice for cornbread

Cast iron can also withstand abrupt temperature changes better than glass. To achieve ideal cornbread, heat up your cast iron skillet in the oven and then melt some butter into it. Pour your cornbread batter into the already hot pan.

Why isn't my cornbread moist? ›

Extra Butter: To keep the cornbread moist and buttery, unwrap one end of a stick of butter and run it over the top of the baked cornbread while it is still hot. The butter will seep into the bread, adding extra moistness and flavor.

What is the best pan to bake cornbread in? ›

Use cast iron

You can't go wrong with a 10.25 Inch Skillet, but if you want to mix it up, you can pull out a Muffin Pan, Wedge Pan, or Cornstick Pan (of course!). In fact, we've got a whole conversion article to help you make our cornbread mix in whichever pan is your favorite!

How do you fix too much liquid in cornbread? ›

If too much milk is added to Jiffy cornbread mix, you can balance it out by adding more dry ingredients to the batter such as additional mix or a blend of flour, cornmeal, and baking powder.

Why do you put oil in cornbread? ›

Milk: Use whole milk, 2% milk, or your favorite alternative milk to add moisture and help create the perfect batter consistency. Oil: A neutral oil, such as vegetable oil, keeps the cornbread nice and moist.

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