How To: 3 Easy Tips That Make Boxed Cornbread Mix Taste Homemade

3 Easy Tips That Make Boxed Cornbread Mix Taste Homemade

I love making everything from scratch, but some things are just easier to buy. So there are times when you have to find a creative way to split the difference. For me, the easiest dish to buy without compromising on flavor is cornbread mix.

Step 1: Add Extra Milk (Tip 1)

Most mixes, especially if you're using cornmeal, will yield a well-made cornbread. For the purpose of making this recipe constant by measurements, we'll be using two standard Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix boxes (8.5 oz. each), which creates enough cornbread to fill a 9x9 baking pan.

Follow the initial instructions on the box that require 2 fresh eggs and milk, but add a little more milk (about 1/8 of a cup) to moisten the finished bread (and make it a little denser, too).

Step 2: Add Corn (Tip 2)

Who'd a thunk it—adding fresh corn is an easy way to make cornbread taste homemade without any extra effort on your part. Any kernels will do: fresh, canned, or frozen (and you don't even have to thaw them). I prefer fresh sweet corn, if it's available. Just add a 2/3 cup of corn directly to the mix and stir to combine.

Step 3: Add a Taste of Honey (Tip 3)

The problem with boxed mixes is their lack of flavor, or love as we call it down South. Add 2 Tbsp. of honey to your mix and you will definitely taste the love (if you don't feel it already). As with the corn, stir well to incorporate the honey into the batter.

Step 4: Bake as Directed (+ 5 Minutes)

Follow the instructions for baking temperature as written on the box—to save on time, it's best to pre-heat the oven before combining the ingredients.

Be sure to generously coat your baking dish with oil, butter, or spray before adding your cornbread batter. Pour the batter evenly into your baking dish and follow the bake time as indicated... but add 5 minutes of bake time at the end to accommodate the extra ingredients you've added into the mix.

Your cornbread is done when it's golden brown and passes the toothpick test (if you put one in, it should come out clean). Additionally, the center should be firm to the touch, indicating the center is cooked through.

Step 5: Serve Your Better Creation

Once you take it out of the oven, let your cornbread cool down before removing it from the pan to prevent sticking. If you're running short on time and have to serve it right away, be sure to cut the cornbread while it's still in the baking dish for a cleaner cut.

The best part about baking cornbread, other than the heavenly smell that circulates through your home while its baking, is your first bite into a freshly-sliced piece. Each bite of this amazing cornbread will have both juicy kernels of corn and natural sweetness from the honey. Whatever you do, though... don't forget the butter!

How did this work for you? And do you have any tips for time-saving techniques that don't sacrifice flavor? Let us know in the comments.

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Photos by Vanessa Middleton/Food Hacks

10 Comments

I substituted 2/3 cup of Buttermilk for the 1/3 cup Milk.
I also minced my fresh corn kernels before adding to the batter.
I finished off with a little heat from some Cajun Spice.

I wanted to make bite-sized muffins for my church event, so I poured the batter into a mini-muffin pan. They only needed to cook a total of 13 mins.

Nice tip with the Cajun Spice. Thanks for sharing.

I added extra milk a can of corn and some jalpeno jelly istead of honey for a kick. Hope it comes out good

Thanks for the tip on the pepper jelly.

I add a small can of chopped green chillies and bacon grease grease the pan with bacon grease also. You won't believe how great it is. Try it out.

I substituted the honey with maple syrup, the corn with bacon bits, and the Jiffy mix with bisquick. Instead of a 9x9 pan, I threw it into a waffle iron! Wow, that was good cornbread!!

Instead of adding extra milk, I used cream style corn. I added honey and a little chili powder. We were very pleased with the results.

I use heavy cream for a richer batter,and add bacon and whatever grated cheese I have on hand to the batter. Finish with a glaze of warmed pepper jelly over the top of the muffins.

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