The Sweet Ingredient That Instantly Transforms Bland Cornbread

Whether you're whipping up a batch of chili, baked beans, or collard greens, cornbread is a quick and comforting side dish. But when it's made without intention, it can land squarely in the realm of dry, crumbly, and forgettable. The good news is that a few thoughtful additions can turn basic cornbread into a scrumptious side dish or even a stand-alone star. Chef JJ Johnson, a New York City-based chef known for his exploration of African Caribbean cuisine, has plenty of thoughts on how to punch up your cornbread. To avoid a dry texture and bland flavor, he suggests using honey butter because it "adds sweetness and moisture." Honey butter is exactly what it sounds like: a delicious compound butter where the two ingredients are blended together at room temperature. 

You can add honey butter to your cornbread in a couple of different ways. Simply stir a few tablespoons of softened honey butter into your batter before baking or generously glaze the entire batch with it while it's still warm from the oven. If you're feeling extra decadent, melt a stick of salted butter and a ½ cup of honey in your baking pan, then pour the cornbread batter on top. There's no need to stir it up; while baking in the oven, the batter will absorb moisture and develop a gorgeous crust. 

Johnson also recommends pairing cornbread with jam or apple butter for a fruity take or stirring cinnamon into honey butter for a spiced version. "Hot honey adds a little spice to wake it up," Johnson adds. You can easily make hot honey at home and combine it with salted butter for a more savory cornbread topping.

To take your honey butter cornbread truly over the top, JJ Johnson has this suggestion: "Sweet potato cornbread is a must! This adds natural sweetness and moisture. You can catch it at the Blue Llama in Michigan if you want to try a great version." Roasted and mashed sweet potatoes add natural sweetness, moisture, and a silky richness. Stir about 1 cup of mashed sweet potato into your batter, adjusting the liquid slightly if needed. The rich combination of honey butter and sweet potato will make dry, crumbly cornbread a thing of the past. Be sure to use a preheated cast iron skillet and oil it — or start with a savory slab of bacon, like in Tina Turner's cornbread – to give you that perfect golden crust.

Johnson, who was a featured chef at the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, also proposed techniques to make sure your cornbread stays soft. "To keep cornbread moist, use buttermilk or sour cream to keep it tender," he says. Aside from adding moisture, the tangy dairy makes cornbread better, and the flavor pairs well with honey butter. Johnson also warns against overbaking and suggests wrapping cornbread in aluminum foil to store it. To reheat cornbread for first day freshness, Chef Johnson advises you to "reheat it with butter or a damp towel in the microwave." With just a few smart upgrades, your cornbread will go from dry and dull to unforgettable.