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Our Favourite Sour Milk Cornbread

This classic soured milk cornbread is a definitive version of the beloved savoury staple. By using soured milk or buttermilk, the bread achieves a light, tender crumb that perfectly balances the grainy texture of the fine-ground cornmeal. Bringing the fat to a foaming heat in a cast-iron frying pan before adding the batter ensures a beautifully golden, piping-hot crust that adds a satisfying crunch to every bite.

As a versatile vegetarian side dish, this recipe is ideal for serving alongside a smoky bean chilli or a hearty vegetable soup. The preparation is simple and swift, making it an excellent choice for a quick midweek addition to the dinner table. For the best results, serve the wedges while they are still steaming and fragrant, perhaps with an extra smear of salted butter.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Our Favourite Sour Milk Cornbread

  • 230g fine-ground white cornmeal

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon Homemade Baking Powder 425ml soured milk or buttermilk

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 450°

Mix the cornmeal, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl. Stir the milk into the beaten eggs, and pour over the dry ingredients in batches, stirring vigorously to make a smooth glossy batter.

Cut the butter into pieces and put it in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or baking pan. Put the skillet in the preheated oven, and heat until the butter is melted and foaming. Remove from the oven, and swirl the butter all around the skillet to coat the bottom and sides thoroughly. Pour the remaining melted butter into the cornbread batter, and stir well until the butter is absorbed into the batter. Turn the batter into the heated skillet, and put in the oven to bake for 30-40 minutes, until cornbread is golden brown and crusty on top and pulls away from the sides of the skillet.

Remove the skillet from the oven, and turn the cornbread out onto a plate. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges. Serve the cornbread while it is hot.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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