Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce

🍯 Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce — Golden, Sweet, and Totally Irresistible

Golden, buttery, and kissed with honey — this cornbread is comfort food at its sweetest.

Let’s talk about the kind of side dish that doesn’t just sit politely on the table but steals the spotlight. That’s exactly what Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce does. It’s golden, fluffy, slightly sweet, and just the right amount of crumbly. It’s the dish that makes people hover by the pan, cutting “just a sliver” until half the pan mysteriously disappears.

Here’s why this cornbread deserves its crown: it’s versatile enough for weeknight chili night, fancy enough for holiday spreads, and cozy enough for Sunday suppers. It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but is secretly simple — cornmeal, buttermilk, butter, and a drizzle of honey sauce that makes it taste like dessert disguised as a side.

And let’s be honest: cornbread is basically the universal love language of comfort food. It’s nostalgic, it’s crowd‑pleasing, and it somehow manages to feel both rustic and elegant at the same time.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “cornbread must be sweet” or team “cornbread should stay savory”?

Maybe it’s because I have a food blog but I love to watch the Food Network. The other night we were watching the grudge match show. They were trying to come up with the best recipe, using the ingredients that was given to them, and make a Instagram worthy dish.

One chef came up with a cornbread with roasted corn and a lip smacking sauce. I thought that’s something I want to play with for the blog. I searched and searched to see if I could find her recipe for inspiration but alas, I couldn’t find it.

This dish wouldn’t get out of my mind!!! This is what I came up with and I think you love it! The cornbread is so lovely on it’s own but the sauce just gives it an edge.

 

 

Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce

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Ingredients

• 2 cups of roasted corn
• 1 ½ cups cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted and divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place an 10 inch cast iron skillet in the oven.

   In a skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter, add either fresh or frozen corn over a medium heat. Stir and cook until the corn is toasted. It will be about 5 to 10 minutes.

   In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

   In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg and 3 tablespoons butter. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula just until moist. Add the corn and combine well.

   Remove skillet from the oven and add remaining 3 tablespoons until heated through, about 1-2 minutes.

   Working carefully, immediately scoop the batter into the hot skillet. Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes.

   Serve warm.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving, Based on 12 Servings)

• Calories: ~220
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 280mg
• Total Carbs: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 4g

💡 Note: Basically comfort food math that says, “Yes, you can have seconds.”

 

Honey Garlic Sauce

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Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low-medium heat. Add the honey and garlic; whisk until the honey has melted through the butter and the mixture is well combined. Pour in the lemon juice (or vinegar), season with salt and add parsley.

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Cornmeal: Fiber + whole grain goodness.
• Buttermilk: Tangy flavor + calcium.
• Butter: Flavor foundation + richness.
• Honey: Natural sweetness + antioxidants.
• Roasted Corn: Texture + a little smoky sweetness.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you sneak extra corn into your cornbread, or do you like it smooth and classic?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Cornbread Success

• Cast‑Iron Magic: Baking in cast iron gives the best crispy edges.
• Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined for tender crumb.
• Roast Corn First: Roasting deepens flavor and adds texture.
• Honey Sauce Timing: Drizzle while warm so it soaks in.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair with chili, BBQ, or just a pat of butter.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread: Add shredded cheddar and diced jalapeños.
• Maple Cornbread: Swap honey sauce for maple butter.
• Bacon Cornbread: Fold in crumbled bacon.
• Sweet Corn Pudding Style: Add extra buttermilk for a softer, spoonable version.
• Holiday Twist: Add cranberries and orange zest.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — cheesy, bacon, or maple?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Keep flavors mild — skip jalapeños for picky eaters.
• Let kids drizzle honey sauce (messy but fun).
• Serve with mini muffin tins for kid‑sized portions.
• Add sprinkles of cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Cornmeal Saver: Store in freezer to keep fresh longer.
• Buttermilk Shortcut: Make your own with milk + lemon juice.
• Honey Hack: Microwave honey for 10 seconds if it’s crystallized.
• Butter Trick: Melt in microwave in 5‑second bursts to avoid splatter.

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce and serve it at your next family dinner. Bonus points if you try one of the variations! Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsCornbread so we can all drool together and swap ideas.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Cornbread Croutons: Cube and toast for salads or soups.
• Cornbread Stuffing: Use leftovers in holiday stuffing.
• Cornbread Breakfast Bowl: Top with scrambled eggs and salsa.
• Cornbread Trifle: Layer with whipped cream and berries for dessert.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you dare turn cornbread into dessert, or is that too wild?

💭 Final Thoughts

This Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce is proof that side dishes can be stars. With golden crust, tender crumb, and sweet honey drizzle, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone smile.

It’s also endlessly adaptable. You can keep it classic, go savory, or even turn it into dessert. And because it’s so easy, it’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy weekends.

Here’s the thing about cornbread — it’s never just bread. It’s the smell of butter melting into golden crumb, the sight of honey dripping down the side of a warm slice, and the sound of happy chatter as everyone reaches for seconds.

And this buttermilk version with honey sauce? It’s a little extra special. It’s tender, it’s sweet, it’s rustic, and it’s guaranteed to make you the star of any table. It’s the kind of recipe that makes people pause mid‑bite and say, “Okay, I need this recipe.”

But what I love most is how it brings people together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about filling bellies, it’s about filling lives with joy, laughter, and connection. So here’s my challenge to you: make this cornbread, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you go cheesy? Did you sneak in bacon? Did you drizzle extra honey sauce and call it dessert? (No judgment — I’ve been there.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Cornbread Series” next? I’m dreaming up skillet cornbread, cornbread muffins, and maybe even a cornbread cake with whipped cream.

Until then, may your cornbread be golden, your honey sweet, your butter melty, and your kitchen full of laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about eating — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious. And this cornbread? It’s ready to do exactly that.

Did you try our Buttermilk Cornbread with Honey Sauce? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

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