If you’ve ever wished cornbread could be just a little sweeter, softer, and more dessert-like, this Cornbread Cake is exactly what you’ve been dreaming of. It’s tender, moist, lightly sweet, and unbelievably buttery the perfect marriage of classic cornbread and old-fashioned yellow cake. Every slice melts in your mouth and tastes like comfort, nostalgia, and home all in one bite.
This is the kind of recipe that shows up at church potlucks, family cookouts, holidays, and weeknight dinners. It fits anywhere and everywhere. Serve it warm with honey butter, enjoy it as a side with chili, or treat it like dessert topped with whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup. No matter how you enjoy it, this cornbread cake always brings smiles to the table.
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Why You’ll Love This Cornbread Cake
This recipe is soft, moist, and just sweet enough — not too cakey, not too cornbread-dense. It bakes up beautifully golden with a tender crumb and a rich buttery flavor. What makes this recipe truly special is how effortless it is. You mix the ingredients in one bowl, pour the batter into a pan, and bake until your kitchen smells like warm comfort.
You’ll love this cornbread cake because:
- It’s simple, beginner-friendly, and foolproof
- Perfect for holidays, potlucks, BBQs, and weeknight dinners
- Stays soft and moist for days
- Works as dessert, breakfast, or a side dish
- Uses basic pantry ingredients
- Has an irresistible buttery sweetness
Once you make it, you’ll want to add it to every menu.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional add-ins: honey, cinnamon, sour cream for extra moisture, or whole-kernel corn for added texture.
How to Make Cornbread Cake
1. Prepare the oven and pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 or 9×13 baking dish, depending on how thick you want your cake. A glass dish gives great browning.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This helps create that fluffy, cake-light texture.
3. Add the wet ingredients
Pour in the eggs, milk, melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is just combined — don’t over-mix. The batter should be thick, smooth, and golden.
4. Pour and bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean. The edges should be slightly crisp while the center stays soft and moist.
5. Cool and slice
Let the cornbread cake cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for the best texture.
How to Serve Cornbread Cake
One of the best things about this cornbread cake is how versatile it is. You can serve it:
- As a sweet side with chili, BBQ, or fried chicken
- For breakfast with honey, fruit, or jam
- As dessert with whipped cream or ice cream
- Drizzled with honey butter or cinnamon butter
- With maple syrup for a pancake-inspired treat
It’s the kind of recipe that fits any mood or meal.
Tips for the Best Cornbread Cake
- Use buttermilk for an extra tender, moist cake.
- Don’t over-mix the batter — it keeps the crumb soft.
- Add honey if you want a deeper sweetness.
- Swap oil for sour cream for ultra-rich texture.
- Let it cool slightly before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Use a glass pan for even browning and golden edges.
Variations
- Honey Cornbread Cake: add 2–3 tablespoons of honey
- Cinnamon Sugar Cornbread Cake: swirl cinnamon sugar into the top
- Jiffy-Style Cornbread Cake: add a spoonful of sour cream for extra moisture
- Cornbread Dessert Cake: top with cream cheese frosting
- Lemon Cornbread Cake: add lemon zest and a light glaze
Each version gives the cake its own personality.
Storage
This cornbread cake stays fresh and moist for days.
- Room temperature: up to 3 days
- Refrigerator: up to 5 days
- Freezer: up to 2 months
Reheat slices in the microwave for a warm, soft texture.
Final Thoughts
This Cornbread Cake is simple, delicious, and impossible not to love. It’s sweet, buttery, and wonderfully tender, with that perfect blend of classic cornbread flavor and cake-like softness. Whether you serve it as a side dish, dessert, breakfast, or snack, it brings warmth and comfort to any table. If you’re looking for a recipe that feels nostalgic, cozy, and incredibly satisfying, this cornbread cake is the one you’ll reach for again and again.