Maple Cornbread - The Perfect Subtly Sweet Cornbread Recipe! (2024)

Jump to Recipe·4.7 from 3 reviews

Maple Cornbread – This gently sweet cornbread recipe is the perfect complement to a bowl of chili or a big chopped salad. (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Between the daily tasks of a job in recipe development, daily homework sessions at the counter over after school snacks, and the 3-meals-a-day routine of feeding a family, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

But few things pull me to the kitchen for the pure joy of it than a change in the seasons. The transition from summer to fall is maybe my very favorite. The sweltering Arizona summers finally start (even if it’s just theoretically) to give way to cooler temperatures. I plaster my home in fall leaves and black bat cut-outs, and my playlists subtly shift from bouncy dance tunes to more relaxed songs that make me feel cozy.

Then, of course, there are the recipes. When I cook or bake simply for the joy of it, recipes havea way of taking my mind off things. My focus is drawn to the process of what I’m doing–measuring, leveling, stirring, pouring. I breathe in and out, and, slowly, my house is filled with the smell of comfort, and sweetness, and home.

Comfort, sweetness, and home perfectly describe this maple-glazed cornbread.

WHAT’S IN MAPLE CORNBREAD?

I make my maple cornbread using traditional homemade cornbread ingredients–flour, cornmeal, baking powder, milk, eggs, etc., but with the addition of pure maple syrup in place of the typical sugar or honey. The effect is subtle but just different enough to be special. Here’s a snapshot of the ingredients:

  • (GLUTEN FREE!) FLOUR. This is a re-make of an old maple cornbread recipe I had on the blog. I’ve updated it with the use of a gluten free measure-for-measure (or 1:1) gluten free baking flour. My two favorites are this one from King Arthur Flour and this one from Bob’s Red Mill.
  • GLUTEN FREE CORNMEAL. Cornmeal is naturally gluten free, but it’s not always processed in ways that are safe if you have an allergy or intolerance. Look for the “certified gluten free” label for best results. We like this one and this one.
  • BAKING POWDER, BAKING SODA & SALT. My maple cornbread gets a great puffy rise thanks to this combination, and the salt does a great job rounding out the flavors.
  • (DAIRY FREE) MILK + BUTTER/GHEE.We make this with unsweetened almond milk, but you can use whatever you drink or works for your diet–soy, rice, dairy, cashew, etc. Then, you’ll use melted butter, dairy-free butter, or ghee, which adds substance and keeps this nice and tender.
  • PURE MAPLE SYRUP. The deeper, more caramel-y notes of pure maple syrup add something special to this gently sweet cornbread recipe. I love it! (And love it in the glaze on top!) Don’t be tempted to use pancake syrup for this, as the flavor will be SUPER strong and overwhelming. Use the pure stuff.
  • EGGS. Another key to keeping this light, fluffy, and tender. I haven’t made this egg-free yet, but see the FAQ for my suggestion.
  • A MAPLE GLAZE FOR THE TOP. Lastly, you’ll brush a little “glaze” of melted butter/ghee + maple syrup on top, which gives a pretty sheen and another subtle layer of flavor. We love it!Yıldız p*rno

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MAPLE CORNBREAD.

Cornbread is one of my kids’ favorite side dishes whenever we have soup or salad. I think this subtly sweet cornbread goes perfectly with a nice chili, some Ham and Bean Soup, or a big salad.

Some of our favorite main dishes to pair with this maple cornbread are:

  • Easy Gluten-Free Chili
  • Fall Chopped Salad
  • The BEST EVER Pumpkin Chili
  • Fall Cobb Salad

FAQ + TIPS FOR THE BEST MAPLE CORNBREAD:

I’M NOT GLUTEN FREE. CAN I USE REGULAR FLOUR? Yes! This gently sweet cornbread is a re-make of an old recipe. I used to make it using the same amount of white flour.

CAN I MAKE THIS VEGAN (WITHOUT EGGS)? I haven’t made this cornbread egg-free yet, but I’d start with a powdered egg substitute for a job like this, rather than a chia or flax egg, which can add a bit of grit to a cornbread recipe.

CAN I FREEZE CORNBREAD? Yes, you can, though it sometimes dries out a tiny bit upon thawing. You can freeze it whole and unsliced in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, or you can freeze it in slices the same way. It’ll keep in the freezer for about a month.

HOW DO YOU STORE CORNBREAD? For best results, I recommend covering the pan (or transferring to an airtight container/bag) and storing the cornbread in the fridge, where it’ll last 2-3 days.

CAN I DOUBLE THIS MAPLE CORNBREAD TO MAKE A 9×13 PAN? Yes, though I don’t have a baking time for you. You’ll want to start checking it every few minutes once you hit the 20-minute mark.

CAN I MAKE THIS AS CORNBREAD MUFFINS? I think so, but I haven’t tried it yet to double-check. I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work. You could likely get about 12 muffins from this recipe.

LOVE CORNBREAD? YOU MIGHT LOVE:

  • Simple Slow Cooker Chili
  • Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
  • Pumpkin Taco Soup

Maple Cornbread - The Perfect Subtly Sweet Cornbread Recipe! (8)

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Maple Cornbread - The Perfect Subtly Sweet Cornbread Recipe! (9)

Maple Cornbread (Gluten & Dairy Free–or not!)

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4.7 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Emily from One Lovely Life
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1216 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Maple Cornbread – This gently sweet cornbread recipe is the perfect complement to a bowl of chili or a big chopped salad. Do be sure to use pure maple syrup, not the fakey artificial stuff. It makes all the difference! (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free–or not!)

Ingredients

Scale

FOR THE CORNBREAD:

  • 1 cup gluten free 1:1 or measure-for-measure flour (or regular white flour for non-GF)
  • 1 cup cornmeal (certified GF as needed)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)
  • 4 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • 5 Tbsp. butter, vegan butter, or ghee, melted
  • 3 eggs

FOR THE MAPLE GLAZE:

  • 1 Tbsp. butter, vegan butter, or ghee, melted
  • 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Instructions

FOR THE CORNBREAD:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line an 8×8″ or 9×9″ square baking dish with parchment, or grease with butter or spray oil.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Make a small well in the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients. Add milk, syrup, butter/ghee, and eggs.
  4. Stir or whisk until just combined (a few lumps are just fine).
  5. Pour batter into your prepared baking dish and gently smooth the surface or shake a bit to settle the batter.
  6. Bake cornbread at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Brush with glaze while still hot.

FOR THE MAPLE GLAZE:

  1. While the cornbread is baking, make glaze by melting the butter and syrup in a small saucepan over low heat or melting the butter in the microwave and stirring the syrup into it.
  2. Stir until the mixture is well combined. When the cornbread is finished baking (and still hot from the oven), brush the glaze over the surface. (It’ll feel like a LOT of glaze, but will absorb into the bread without making it soggy)
  3. Allow cornbread to cool before slicing.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Bread, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Southern
Maple Cornbread - The Perfect Subtly Sweet Cornbread Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Can you put maple syrup in corn bread? ›

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt until thoroughly combined. In a small bowl, or in a large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, melted butter and eggs. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.

What is the difference between southern cornbread and sweet cornbread? ›

A quick Google search will tell you that Southern cornbread is oftentimes devoid of any sugar, while its Northern counterpart is light, sweet, buttery and cakelike.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

Will an extra egg make cornbread less crumbly? ›

Eggs, or egg substitutes help add structure to the cornbread. Without an egg or substitute, the cornbread may crumble and fall apart easily.

Can I use maple syrup instead of sugar in bread? ›

Maple syrup can be used in the place of sugar for just about any recipe, for it is just a matter of learning the substitution ratio. To replace white sugar with maple syrup in general cooking, it is ideal to use ¾ cup of maple syrup for every one cup of sugar.

Which is better for you corn syrup or maple syrup? ›

- Maple syrup contains sucrose, while corn syrup contains glucose. - Maple syrup has some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while corn syrup has none. - Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than corn syrup, meaning it causes less spikes in blood sugar levels.

Can you add sugar to cornbread mix? ›

Sugar: I prefer granulated sugar as it enhances the pure flavor of the cornmeal. You may substitute a little brown sugar for the granulated sugar for a touch of molasses flavor but it will dilute the corn flavor.

Should I put sugar in my cornbread? ›

If they're willing to bear the shame of slipping a tad of sugar into their cornbread batter, things could incrementally change. But generally, the no-sugar rule still stands. Those who really need a surge of sugary flavor can, for goodness sake, just add some honey or sorghum molasses after the fact.

Why put sugar in cornbread? ›

If you use one of the stone-ground varieties of cornmeal, you can omit the sugar. But if you use the more common finely-ground cornmeal, adding sugar will help attain the flavor of stone-ground cornmeal.

Why is cornbread not healthy? ›

The exact nutritional profile of cornbread can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, cornbread generally contains high amounts of carbs, phosphorus, and sodium in each serving. One piece of cornbread prepared from a commercially prepared mix contains ( 2 ): Calories: 198.

What is the difference between yankee cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

What is southern cornbread called? ›

Hot water cornbread

This type of cornbread is often known as "hot water" or "scald meal" cornbread and is unique to the American South.

Can I use heavy cream in cornbread instead of milk? ›

You can substitute heavy cream for 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 cup sour cream, combined. You can also substitute the cream for milk. Use 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk plus 2 Tablespoons melted butter to the batter. The cornbread will have a close texture.

Can you over mix cornbread? ›

Pour batter into prepared pan. The batter will be lumpy. Overcome the urge to mix until smooth. Overmixing can cause the corn bread to peak and have tunnels, resulting in a tough texture.

Can you use two eggs in cornbread? ›

Just follow 2 & 2 & 2 rule and you'll have cornbread.” So the definition of “2 & 2 & 2” is: 2 eggs, 2 cups cornmeal (self-rising), and 2 cups buttermilk. Fast forward to 2018 after many, many pans of cornbread later and I can honestly say, I still rely on her rule, with a few additions.

Can I use maple syrup instead of Karo syrup? ›

Maple syrup has a pretty specific flavor and it's a bit thinner in consistency than corn syrup, but you can still use an equal amount in most baked goods and sauces. At around 67 degrees Brix, it's slightly less sweet, but the rich flavor will carry it through, especially when subbing it in for dark corn syrup.

How does maple syrup affect baking? ›

When replacing cane sugar with maple syrup in baking, use 3/4 the volume of cane sugar. Maple syrup will add moisture to the recipe, so reduce other liquids to accommodate for the hydration. When it comes to stove top cooking, maple syrup amplifies dishes by balancing flavors with a robust sweetness.

Can I substitute honey or maple syrup for corn syrup? ›

Corn Syrup Substitute in Baking

The best corn syrup substitutes for baking are brown rice syrup, maple syrup, agave, tapioca syrup, honey, golden syrup, and black treacle.

Can I use maple syrup instead of sweetener? ›

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is widely used as an alternative option to avoid the use of refined sugar. Maple syrup has a significantly lower glycemic index than refined sugar and, thus, can be used to reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases.

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