Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 

Ignite your taste buds with my Hot Honey Southern Cornbread recipe, where the classic comfort of Southern cornbread meets the irresistible allure of hot honey, delivering the perfect balance of sweetness + spice in every delightful bite. This cornbread recipe is a delicious side dish that elevates any meal, but be warned—it tends to disappear from the table fast! Gluten-free + Dairy-free Option.

Why Hot Honey Southern Cornbread  Is The PERFECT Side Dish

With the holiday season on the horizon, I'm buzzing with Thanksgiving menu ideas, and a must-have staple is the irresistible Hot Honey Southern Cornbread—sweet, savory, and spicy all in one. A beloved favorite in my family, especially during the cozy season, its divine texture strikes the perfect balance of moistness and fluffiness, crowned with a delightful crisp golden crust.

This cornbread recipe is the perfect balance of moistness and tenderness, blurring the line between bread and cake. If you love cornbread, you definitely need to try my Brown Butter Pumpkin Cornbread, Honey Butter Cornbread Drop Biscuits and this Southern-Style Cornbread Stuffing next! There's nothing quite like baking it right in your trusty skillet-- a classic dish that begs to be shared right at the table. This Sautéed Lemon Garlic Herb Green Beans recipe is a simple, staple side dish that compliments any Thanksgiving table!

The best part? It's easily adaptable to gluten-free, making it a welcomed addition to your table as a tempting appetizer, complementary side dish, or a satisfying snack. Plus, the Hot Honey gives it the perfect blend of spicy + sweet.

Jump to:

• Why Hot Honey Southern Cornbread  Is The PERFECT Side Dish
• What Is Cornbread?
• How To Make Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 
• Ingredients
• Why You Will LOVE This Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 
• Tips For The BEST Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 
• How to Make Your Own Hot Honey
• What to Serve with Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 
• Non-Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cornbread Serving Ideas
• How Else Do You Use Hot Honey?
• Hot Honey Southern Cornbread Q + A's
• More Delicious Southern Recipes to Try Next!
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 

What Is Cornbread?

Alright, let's talk cornbread – the ultimate Southern bread sensation! Picture this: it's made from cornmeal, and it's got this charming, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor. Down South, it's like an essential part of the culinary DNA. But here's the cool part – it's incredibly versatile. You can bake it up in all sorts of flavor, shapes and sizes. Whether it's cozying up to other dishes or going solo, cornbread is basically the Southern must-have you'll want on your plate.

How To Make Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 

To make this cornbread, you'll start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and generously grease your favorite oven-safe cast iron skillet.

Simply mix your dry ingredients, combine with the wet ingredients, and bake until golden. This is a super tried + tested recipe and you probably already have most of the ingredients at home!

Ingredients

Here's what you need to make this Thanksgiving side dish:

• Cornmeal. Use yellow cornmeal from Bob's Red Mill if you can. Most cornmeal is already gluten-free, but if necessary, double check that yours is certified.
• All-purpose flour. I like organic flour from Bob's Red Mill.
• Baking powder. Helps to make it fluffy and rise!
• Organic cane sugar. Adds sweetness.
• Butter. Use unsalted butter to control the flavor of your bread. Choose vegan butter to keep things dairy-free if you like!
• Eggs. Acts as the binder.
• Hot Honey. See below on how to make your own or use Mike's Hot Honey!
• Almond milk. Any milk plant-based or not will work!
• Sea salt. Ties all the flavors together.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CORNBREAD!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Hot Honey Southern Cornbread . Everything from my fave baking sheet, skillet, mixing bowls, high-powered blender, cooking utensils, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Why You Will LOVE This Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 

• Moist + tender crumb, combined with a crispy golden crust!
• Super easy to make + quick
• Loaded with savory + sweet + spicy flavor
• Comes with a gluten-free option!
• PERFECT for Thanksgiving OR any time of the year!
• A total crowd-pleaser for all eaters!

Tips For The BEST Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 

Follow these tips to make your Hot Honey Southern Cornbread  recipe absolutely perfect:

GENTLE MIXING FOR FLUFFINESS:

• To ensure a light and fluffy texture, take care not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to gluten development, resulting in a denser cornbread. Aim to mix until just combined, with no visible streaks of flour.

GOLDEN BROWN INDICATOR:

• Keep an eye on the cornbread as it bakes. It's ready when the center is set and a toothpick or knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Additionally, the top should sport a beautiful golden-brown hue, indicating it's perfectly baked.

EVEN DISTRIBUTION

• Since the cornbread batter is relatively thick, it may need some assistance to spread evenly in the pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the batter from the center towards the edges, ensuring an even thickness throughout

GREASE FOR EASY RELEASE:

• A well-greased pan is your ally when it comes to removing the cornbread effortlessly after baking. Use butter, oil, or a cooking spray to coat the pan's interior thoroughly. This not only prevents sticking but also imparts a delightful crispy crust to the edges!

How to Make Your Own Hot Honey

If you don't have any hot honey on hand or you simply just want to make your own hot honey, no worries! It's really simple and only requires a few ingredients.

MAKING HOT HONEY IS SUPER SIMPLE: YOU JUST NEED A FEW KEY INGREDIENTS:

You'll need: 1 cup raw organic honey (or regular honey), 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.

To create your own hot honey, just bring to a simmer all ingredients in a saucepan and then remove it from heat and let it cool before adding in with the remaining sauce ingredients. Feel free to store any remaining hot honey in an airtight glass jar (straining red pepper flakes) if desired and keep stored for up to 6 months at room temp.

What to Serve with Hot Honey Southern Cornbread 

This Hot Honey Southern Cornbread recipe is a definite must-have on my Thanksgiving menu, and it's a versatile choice that I'll enjoy throughout the fall season and beyond. Here are some tasty options to serve with your cornbread:

• Mac and Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese adds comfort and richness try this  Baked Vegan Buffalo Mac + Cheese or Southern Baked Gnocchi Mac + Cheese recipe!
• Chicken: A Southern favorite that's a perfect match, this Jerk Whole Roast Chicken  ot this Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken is truly amazing alongside it!
• Roasted veggies. I absolutely love these Maple Herb Glazed Carrots and Maple Herb Roasted Butternut Squash
• Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes offer a hearty side or these Crispy Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser!
• Stuffing: This Homemade Vegan Stuffing and Wild Rice Stuffing are huge hits at my holiday table! Plus you can actually use cornbread as a base for your stuffing like this Southern-Style Cornbread Stuffing!

Non-Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cornbread Serving Ideas

Now that you have a glimpse of how this cornbread complements your Thanksgiving table, here are some additional ideas for enjoying it throughout the fall season and beyond:

Southern Fried Chicken: For a southern-inspired meal, serve cornbread alongside crispy fried chicken. The combination of savory and sweet is simply irresistible.

Soups: Serve cornbread with a comforting soup, such as Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup or Apple Cheddar Sweet Potato Soup it adds substance and a pleasant sweetness to the meal. And if you need more fall soup inspiration simply type in 'soup' into Orchid + Sweet Tea's search bar.

Cheese + charcuterie: Create a delightful cheese and charcuterie board with slices of cornbread. The sweet + savory + spicy notes of the cornbread complement various cheeses and cured meats. Be sure to check out my tips on How To Make the Best Charcuterie Board

Brunch: Incorporate cornbread into your brunch menu by serving it alongside scrambled eggs, bacon (or candied bacon), and fresh fruit for a sweet and savory brunch experience.

How Else Do You Use Hot Honey?

Literally, one of my favorite hot honey brands is Mike's! I love using it on everything from chicken to sandwiches, you name it. It's so versatile and can be easily used in:

• Mocktails
• Pizza sauce
• Glazed on chicken
• Stirred in tea or a hot toddy
• Substituted for honey
• Added sandwiches
• Added in homemade sauces or dressings
• Drizzle on roasted veggies
• Added to baked goods, etc.

My fave hot honey recipes on the site are:

• Fancy Hot Honey Lemon Mocktail
• Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts
• Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Bacon Grilled Cheese
• Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls
• Southern Hot Honey Cauliflower Bites
• Gluten-Free Hot Honey Bacon Pizza

Hot Honey Southern Cornbread Q + A's

More Delicious Southern Recipes to Try Next!

Now that you've fallen in love with this Hot Honey Southern Cornbread  in this recipe, you'll want to check out these other Southern staples for the entire family:

• Stovetop Southern Mac and Cheese
• Creamy Southern Cheese Grits
• Lemon Brown Butter Pasta
• Biscoff Banana Pudding with Caramel
• Baked Crunch Cinnamon French Toast
• One Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
• Southern-Style Cajun Pasta with Pecan Breadcrumbs
• Salted Caramel Apple Crisp
• Southern Peach Iced Tea

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Hot Honey Southern Cornbread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

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