Southern Corn Cake
Dishing out Southern Corn Cake for your next Sunday dinner is a breeze; it’s thick, dense, and easy to make, boasting a divine golden sweetness when served warm with butter and honey. This moist and delicious side dish is a surefire way to add a touch of comfort to the table.
You are in the right place if you love corn and comfort food. This southern corn cake has a delicious corn flavor. This recipe combines sweet with savory in the most perfect way. Its thick, dense texture makes it a substantial and satisfying side dish for any occasion. This is undoubtedly a new family favorite if you want a versatile, southern recipe.
One of the best parts of this recipe is that it’s not only soft, fluffy, and delicious, but it is also easy to make. Using only a few simple ingredients and a little effort, you can have a fresh southern corn cake to serve to guests, family, and friends during the holidays. It makes the perfect accompaniment to your next holiday meal. It is guaranteed to become one of your favorite family recipes.
Why You’ll Love Southern Corn Cake
- Easy to Make: This classic southern side dish doesn’t take long to prepare. It is easy to make, using simple ingredients you may already have around the house. You can whip up this recipe with me, making it the perfect accompaniment to all your family dinners.
- Comfort Food: Cornbread, in several different forms, is considered a comfort food staple in southern cooking. This corn cake’s delicious crispy edges, warmth, and heartiness make it a comforting addition to any meal.
- Versatile: Southern corn cake is an extremely versatile dish. It can be enjoyed on its own or served with several different items. It can be served with honey, jam, butter, maple cream, and more. This makes it easy to customize it to your preferences.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This easy recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser, especially regarding Southern food. It is perfect for serving at holiday family dinners and potlucks, the ideal side dish for any hearty meal.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Sugar
- Cornmeal
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Shortening
- Milk
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
- Honey
How to Make Southern Corn Cake
- Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Step Two: Grease an 8×8 baking dish with butter.
- Step Three: In a large bowl, combine sugar, cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix well.
- Step Four: Add shortening to the bowl of dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or fork to cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step Five: In a small bowl, combine milk, eggs, and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Step Six: Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in the milk mixture. Mix gently. Some small lumps will remain.
- Step Seven: Pour the mixture into the greased dish.
- Step Eight: Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Step Nine: Serve warm with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey.
Equipment Needed
This post contains affiliate links.
What to Serve with Southern Corn Cake
Serve this sweet corn cake with some of your favorite main dishes.
- The Best Homemade Chili Recipe
- Sunday Meatloaf
- Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup
- Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter
Variations and Substitutions
- Texture and Crunch: If you want to elevate this easy side dish’s texture, add nuts or dried fruit. Chopped nuts, like pecans and walnuts, will add a delightful textural contrast to your recipe. You can also add raisins or cranberries for a chewy bite.
- Add Corn: While this recipe only calls for cornmeal mix, you can easily change it. Consider adding fresh corn or frozen corn kernels to the batter. The sweetness of the corn will add a freshness to your southern corn cake.
- Add Some Spice: If you want spicy southern corn cakes, consider adding spices, such as spicy jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne, which can add heat to every bite.
- Make it Cheesy: Add a savory flare to this recipe by incorporating cheese. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack is an excellent addition to your southern cornbread, creating a cheesy and delicious experience.
Storage Instructions
It can be pretty simple to store if you have leftovers of your southern corn cake. The first step is to allow your corn cake to cool completely. Once cooled, wrap it with plastic or place it in an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for a day or two.
To extend how long leftovers can be stored, wrap them or place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. It can last 4-5 days when properly stored.
Can I Freeze?
Yes. This great recipe freezes very well. Once completely cooled, wrap your cake securely in plastic wrap and place it inside a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Cut in the Shortening: Cutting the shortening into the flour breaks it into smaller pieces while incorporating it into the mix. This process leaves bits of shortening intact before serving. You want to ensure you properly cut the shortening so your corn cake will have a soft, fluffy texture.
- Thinner Corn Cake: You can easily adjust the thickness of your corn cake by using a larger baking dish. This will create a thinner cake, so make sure that you change the baking time accordingly. It usually takes about 30 minutes in a larger dish. Once it becomes golden brown, test it with a toothpick. When the toothpick comes out clean, your corn cake is done.
- Enhance the Flavor: When your corn cake recipe is finished baking, serve it warm with a pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, or even some jam, maple syrup, or maple cream. These additions create an excellent finished product, enhancing the overall flavor of your southern corn cake.
Southern Recipes
FAQ
This recipe for southern corn cakes makes eight servings. It is excellent for feeding a crowd but also easily doubled if needed.
It doesn’t take a long time to make. Prep time is 20 minutes, and bake time is 1 hour. You can enjoy your delicious side dish in what seems like no time.
Corn Recipes
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Southern Corn Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ cup shortening
- 2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter plus more for topping
- honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with butter.
- In a large bowl combine sugar, cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix well.
- Add shortening to the bowl of dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or fork to cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl combine milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in the milk mixture. Mix gently. Some small lumps will remain.
- Pour the mixture into the greased dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Serve warm with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
Want Even More Recipes?
Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.
free ebook!
The Best of Simply Stacie
When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!
