Apparently West Virginians are well-known for loving cornbread. This is something that, despite living here for over ten years, I didn’t know until recently. I only found out because I started seeing it frequently mentioned in different media outlets (as well as many jokes). Such as this book by Barbara McCallum called More Than Beans and Cornbread: Traditional West Virginia Cooking (I’ve never read this book–it might actually be good, but I saw the title the last time I was in Barnes & Noble and rolled my eyes a little). I guess our love for cornbread is so well-known (by everyone but myself, since I rarely had cornbread growing up) that we have to make sure the rest of the world knows it’s not all we eat. Ah, stereotypes.
I am not a traditional West Virginian. I don’t like cornbread all that much. *gasp*
Zach does like cornbread, though. So when we were in our first year of marriage and he asked me for cornbread and chili, I wasn’t sure exactly what to do. I knew how to make chili, of course (who doesn’t like a good bowl of chili?). But cornbread? Ugh.
This May, we’ll celebrate our third anniversary and I think I’ve finally perfected my favorite cornbread recipe. I know this, because it’s the first time I’ve not only eaten cornbread, but eaten the leftovers as well. It’s the opposite of every other cornbread I have ever had–it’s sweet and moist. It hardly crumbles, which I love.
And now, the recipe! (This isn’t really my recipe. I actually got it from someone else and adapted it…though I don’t remember where I got it. I’m sorry. If you know who originally came up with this, tell me and I’ll give credit.)
Sweet Wheat Honey Cornbread
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup heavy cream (if you don’t have this, use either buttermilk or the substitute for heavy cream listed below)
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/4 cup agave nectar OR honey
- 2 eggs
Step 01: Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir together dry ingredients and then add the wet ones. (Note: a whisk will not work–this is too thick. Use an electric beater.) Pour batter into a prepared 9×9 baking dish.
Step 02: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I can usually tell mine isn’t done by the way it jiggles when I pull it out of the oven.)
It’s quite delicious.
I served this with stuffed pepper soup last week and it was wonderful.
Also, here’s a substitute for 1 cup of heavy cream if you don’t happen to have any:
- 3/4 cup of milk
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 tbsp flour (optional–only use if you’re using low fat/skim milk)
Enjoy!
I try not to make this very often because it’s obviously not great for you. I’ll probably be experimenting with ways of making it healthier soon, though. =)
Sweet Wheat Honey Cornbread
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup heavy cream (if you don't have this, use either buttermilk or the substitute for heavy cream listed below)
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/4 cup agave nectar OR honey
- 2 eggs
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir together dry ingredients and then add the wet ones. (Note: a whisk will not work–this is too thick. Use an electric beater.) Pour batter into a prepared 9×9 baking dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I can usually tell mine isn’t done by the way it jiggles when I pull it out of the oven.)
4 comments
Yeah, this is the best I’ve ever had.
It was pretty good!
Yum! It’s been so long since I made cornbread! Once we’re moved, I’ll have to try this recipe out.
Also, for some reason cornbread is called “Johnny cake” in Michigan.
Awesome! Let me know what you think if you do. ^_^
That is interesting…. o_O