Cornbread takes on an even heartier, more substantial place at the table with the inclusion of cheese and, if you please, corn kernels and jalapeño.–David Leite
Cheddar Cornbread FAQs
Sure! A lot of recipes call for cast iron, but if you don’t happen to have any, you can still bake. Your best bets are going to be non-stick, but try stainless steel skillets, Dutch ovens, saucepans (with oven-proof handles), or Pyrex-type casserole dishes.
Dishes baked in cast-iron tend to have a crispier crust to them, but you’ll still have great success using another option. Don’t let a cookware decision deter you from trying this cornbread.
Absolutely, but with the knowledge that the flavor and texture of the fresh jalapenos will be different than the pickled. Fresh jalapenos will be more crunchy than the softer, canned pickled peppers. They may also have a bit more heat to them – especially if you’ve added the seeds – so you may not need to add two full tablespoons of fresh peppers.
We love cornbread on the side of a hearty chili or juicy bone-in chicken breast when the weather is cool. In the summertime, plop a wedge on any plate of barbecue, right between your barbecue beans and dilly green beans.
Cheddar Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (see note below)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup corn kernels, (fresh, frozen, or left over from a cooked cob)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños, (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cayenne. Blend in the milk, eggs, and butter. Fold in the cheese, corn, and the jalapeños, if using.
- Scoop into a well-seasoned 10-inch cast-iron skillet or a buttered 8-inch square baking pan and smooth over the top. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. (Do not overbake it or the cornbread will be dry.)
- Cut into wedges or squares and serve hot.
Notes
- Salt–If you’re using pickled jalapeños in the cornbread, stick with 1 teaspoon of salt. If you’re skipping them, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the batter.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
Super easy and the crunchy edges were oh-so-delicious. My only addition, as I am a salt lover, would be a bit more salt, perhaps 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons in total. The addition of corn helped to keep the cornbread moist and, although the recipe calls for Cheddar, next time I’ll try it with Pepper Jack for an extra kick.
It’s wonderful reheated in the oven with a huge pat of butter on top and served with a big bowl of chili. I had two leftover pieces, which I crumbled into a meatloaf for an unexpected burst of flavor and texture.
This is a good, solid corn bread recipe. The addition of the cheese and corn make it more substantial than the usual. I’d use more salt in this recipe—perhaps not adding the jalapeños changed a delicate balance that calls for more salt?
The timing was just about perfect—just under 35 minutes in a seasoned cast iron skillet. The crust was crunchy while the inside was soft and full-flavored with the corn and cheese. I might even experiment and add more of the cayenne but as I was making this as a go-along for the Spicy Tomato and Blue Cheese Soup, I decided that was enough heat in one meal without adding more to it.
This cornbread recipe is fantastic. It’s easy to make and turned out perfectly. I added the jalapeños and found the recommended two tablespoons to be just enough. This was a great accompaniment to the Smoky Chipotle Vegetarian Chili.
Thanks, Aryn! We’re so pleased that you loved it.
Good cornbread very moist, added an extra quarter cup of fresh corn. The corn gives it a nice texture.
Thanks, Carol. We so appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Delicious! It’s filed under “DO OVER,” for my best recipes. The crust was nice and crispy and the cornbread tasted terrific! Thank you.
Superb, Marge!