Fall in Love with Ina Garten’s Brown Butter Cornbread Recipe

Warm, golden cornbread with a nutty brown butter cornbread recipe by Ina Garten promises to melt in your mouth and spark joy at any table.

The aroma of toasted butter and sweet corn will drift through your kitchen, promising comfort in every bite.

Summers in the south inspired this delectable side dish that pairs perfectly with hearty meals.

Richness from brown butter adds depth and complexity to the traditional cornbread formula.

Each slice carries a delicate balance of crisp edges and tender, moist interior.

The recipe captures the essence of home-style cooking with simple, quality ingredients.

You’ll want to serve this cornbread alongside chili, soups, or as a standalone treat that speaks directly to your soul.

Best Ways to Serve Ina Garten Brown Butter Cornbread

• Savor Alongside Hearty Dishes: Pair this golden cornbread with classic southern barbecue, chili, or slow-cooked stews for a comforting meal that warms the soul.
• Dress Up with Spreads: Slather warm slices with honey butter, jalapeno jam, or maple cream cheese to elevate the cornbread's rich, nutty flavor profile.
• Create Breakfast Magic: Transform leftover cornbread into a delightful breakfast by toasting and topping with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives, rosemary, or thyme on top to add a bright, aromatic touch that complements the brown butter's deep, toasty notes.

Storing Ina Garten Brown Butter Cornbread

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor and soft texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual slices or the entire cornbread in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Revive and Enjoy: Reheat refrigerated or thawed cornbread in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, restoring its original warmth and delightful crispy edges.
• Meal Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside hearty soups, chili, or barbecue dishes. Crumble into salads or use as a base for savory bread pudding to elevate your culinary creativity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Ina Garten Brown Butter Cornbread

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the cornbread, ensuring a delightful texture and soft bite.
• Cornmeal: Adds classic corn flavor and authentic rustic texture, creating that signature golden-yellow appearance.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bread rise and become light and fluffy, giving perfect volume and airiness.

• Butter, Milk, Eggs: Combine to create rich, creamy moisture that makes the cornbread incredibly tender and flavorful, delivering deep golden color and luxurious mouthfeel.

• Sugar: Balances the savory elements with subtle sweetness, rounding out the flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall taste and brings out the ingredients' natural flavors.
• Flaked Sea Salt: Provides a delicate crunch and burst of salinity, creating a gourmet finishing touch.

What Tools You’ll Use for Ina Garten Cornbread

• Cast-iron skillet: 12-inch round, heavy-duty pan for browning butter and baking cornbread.
• Large mixing bowl: For combining dry ingredients and creating a well.
• Medium bowl: To mix wet ingredients after browning butter.
• Whisk: Essential for mixing wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Rubber spatula: Perfect for stirring batter without overmixing.
• Toothpick: To check cornbread doneness by testing center.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.

Baking Steps for Ina Garten Brown Butter Cornbread

• Butter Preparation

Brown butter in a large cast-iron skillet, watching carefully to avoid burning. Transfer melted butter with golden bits to a separate bowl, keeping skillet ready.

• Liquid Mixture

Blend milk into cooled brown butter, then gently incorporate eggs until smoothly combined.

• Dry Foundation

Combine flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Create a central opening and pour liquid mixture into the crater.

• Batter Resting

Softly fold ingredients until just incorporated, allowing some lovely lumps to remain. Let batter relax for quarter hour to develop rich flavors.

• Baking Performance

Pour batter into waiting skillet, spreading evenly. Sprinkle sea salt across surface for delightful crunch. Bake until golden and a testing probe emerges nearly clean, approximately 25-30 minutes. Embrace potential surface cracks as character. Slice into wedges and enjoy warm or at ambient temperature.

Tips to Enhance Ina Garten Cornbread

• Create deeper flavor by carefully browning butter until it develops rich, nutty notes without burning. Watch the skillet closely to prevent scorching.
• Experiment with different finishing salts like Maldon or Himalayan pink salt to add unique texture and mineral complexity to the cornbread's crust.
• Fold in diced jalapeños, crispy bacon bits, or sharp cheddar cheese to transform the basic recipe into a personalized flavor explosion.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this cornbread accessible for those with dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
• Replace cast-iron with a ceramic or metal baking dish if needed, but remember that cast-iron creates the most deliciously crispy exterior and even heat distribution.

Rustic Ina Garten Brown Butter Corn Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s brown butter corn bread blends rich, nutty flavors with classic Southern comfort. Warm, golden slices pair perfectly with hearty soups or chili, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 ¼ cups whole milk
• 2 extra-large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 tbsps baking powder
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• Flaked sea salt (such as Maldon) for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Position oven rack in center and warm to 350°F, preparing for golden, crusty cornbread.
2. Brown Butter Technique: Melt butter in cast-iron skillet over medium heat, carefully transforming into rich, nutty amber liquid with caramelized milk solids. Transfer browned butter to mixing bowl, preserving skillet’s seasoning.
3. Liquid Integration: Whisk milk into browned butter, then gently incorporate eggs to create a smooth, cohesive mixture without temperature-induced scrambling.
4. Dry Ingredient Composition: Sift flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt into large bowl. Create a central crater, then pour butter-milk blend into dry ingredient basin.
5. Batter Development: Fold ingredients using delicate spatula strokes, maintaining rustic, slightly lumpy texture. Allow 15-minute resting period for ingredient hydration and flavor melding.
6. Skillet Preparation: Redistribute batter into original cast-iron skillet, leveling surface and sprinkling with delicate flaked sea salt for enhanced flavor profile.
7. Baking Process: Slide skillet into preheated oven, baking 25-30 minutes until toothpick reveals minimal moist crumbs and surface displays characteristic golden-brown cracks.
8. Serving: Allow cornbread to rest briefly, then slice into wedges. Serve warm or at ambient temperature for maximum gustatory pleasure.

Notes

• Butter Browning Technique: Watch the butter carefully to achieve a rich, nutty brown color without burning, as this step develops deep, complex flavors critical to the cornbread’s taste profile.
• Batter Resting Importance: Allowing the batter to rest for 15 minutes helps ingredients hydrate and settle, resulting in a more tender, evenly textured cornbread with better overall structure.
• Cast-Iron Skillet Advantage: Using an unwashed cast-iron skillet creates a natural non-stick surface and adds a subtle seasoned flavor while helping to develop a crispy, golden exterior.
• Salt Finishing Touch: Sprinkling flaked sea salt on top enhances the cornbread’s flavor complexity, creating a delightful contrast between the sweet batter and savory salt crystals.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg