Corn bread has been made in as many versions as there are stars in the sky. There’s Northern, which is
sweet, and Southern, which is typically made with white corn. Then there’s Southwestern-style, with chiles and fresh corn kernels; and the list goes on. Here I present two variations: a “sweet and light” version that is light and cakey, and a “dense and intense” option that is perfect for drowning in buttermilk and eating with a spoon.
Ingredients
Sweet & Light Corn Bread
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups fine cornmeal
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Dense & Intense Corn Bread
- 2½ cups medium-grind cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
How to Make It
-
Sweet & Light Corn Bread
- Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven on the middle rack and preheat to 350°F/175°C.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Separate the eggs, putting the yolks in a large bowl and the whites in a medium bowl. Add the milk and oil to the yolks and stir to combine. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, whip the whites until they hold a medium peak.
- Meanwhile, remove the pan from the oven and add the butter. Return the pan to the oven to melt the butter.
- Stir the egg yolk mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined. Pour the batter into the pan and return it to the oven for 40 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan, slice, and serve. Dense & Intense Corn Bread
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C.
- Combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar (if using), salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Add the oil and enough water to form a loose batter.
- Pour into a well-oiled 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread will be dense and dark golden brown. Serve warm.
