Homemade Self-Rising Cornbread is crusty outside, moist and tender inside. The bottom and side crusts are thoroughly baked. Easy to make with simple ingredients.
Key ingredients are self-rising white cornmeal mix and self-rising white flour.
Light, golden brown cornbread is popular and enjoyed by many. However, dark brown is much better in my opinion.
Growing up, cornbread was served several times a week in our family. It was affordable and easy to make. I have fond memories of eating with greens, pinto beans and black-eyed peas. Sometimes for breakfast, we’d have buttered cornbread drizzled with pancake syrup.
How To Make Homemade Self-Rising Flour
Click here to access printable recipe and to see video tutorial.
Hot cornbread never gets old (in my opinion).
Back in 2010 when I decided to “hire me” as a solution to unemployment, a flash of inspiration came to. It was THE answer to my prayers.
Suddenly, “cornbread” flashed into my mind. I have loved to cook and bake my entire life. I also wanted to work for myself!!!
During my crisis, I remembered my grandma teaching me how to make her delicious cornbread. I decided to create a career as a recipe developer since I loved to cook and bake. Cornbread was my first recipe.
Since then, I’ve developed several creative variations of grandma’s “secret” cornbread recipe.
Buttermilk adds flavor, moisture, and helps cornbread brown thoroughly.
Buttermilk, a key ingredient, makes moist cornbread that develops a deep golden brown color while baking.
I avoid whole milk because it makes cornbread pale and bland. I’ve never liked the taste. Some love it though.
Cornbread batter should have enough buttermilk to make it pour easily. Thick batter is why baked cornbread is thick, dry and crumbly.
Cornbread batter should be moist. Dry specs will cause baked cornbread to have dry specs of cornmeal mix and flour.
Always preheat oven and preheat greased skillet (or baking dish) before adding cornbread batter. These important steps are required to thoroughly bake bottom and sides of cornbread.
Warm cornbread crumbled in cold buttermilk is a famous southern light meal. Usually served in a bowl, cup or glass.
The Gift of Cornbread
One of my favorite creative gifts is cornbread mix in a lidded container decorated with a ribbon.
Place a folded copy of the printable recipe in a greeting card. A lovely gift for any occasion.
How To Read & Follow A Recipe
Reading a recipe is an important life skill. It starts with knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and knowing what equipment to use.
The following tips and strategies will help beginners or experienced cooks create a delicious dish as intended in the recipe.
Start with clean hands and organized kitchen. Wash hands thoroughly. Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.
Create a relaxing environment. Play favorite music while in the kitchen. I love listening to classical or gospel music.
Read the recipe. Don’t just quickly skim it. Thoroughly read from start to finish. Visualize doing each step which will help you avoid missing a step.
If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, use a substitutions or omit the ingredient.
My recipes are packed with helpful tips like shortcuts and serving sizes which save time time and help with meal planning.
Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped. For example, 1 cup of chopped pecans is not the same as pecans, chopped (measure whole pecans and then chop).
Know the assumptions. For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar. If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written as such in the recipe.
Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.
Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.
For example, my prep time doesn’t include bringing cold butter up to room temperature. Be sure to include in your timetable.
Watch Recipe Videos. If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos. Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.
Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.” It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized and avoid missing an ingredient or missing a step in the instructions.
Organize your tools and kitchen equipment. Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients. Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.
Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times. Make note of ingredients omitted, favorite substitutions and creative twists. The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe.
Enjoy!

Prep Time | 20 minutes |
Cook Time | 25 minutes |
Servings |
servings
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- 1 cup self-rising white cornmeal mix
- 1/2 cup self-rising flour See recipe notes for all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- unsalted butter (optional) Use to slather individual slices.
Ingredients
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- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine cornmeal mix, flour, sugar (if using), eggs, and buttermilk. Stir together until smooth and pourable. Small lumps okay. Set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to an 8" cast iron skillet (thick cornbread) OR a 9" cast iron skillet (thin cornbread). On top of stove over low heat, slowly preheat oil until it sizzles. Avoid smoking hot. Turn off heat.
- Stir batter until smooth. Carefully pour into hot skillet.
- Reduce oven to 375. Bake 20 to 25 minutes OR until knife inserted in center comes out clean and cornbread is golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve hot.
- Delicious slathered with butter, honey or maple syrup.
How to substitute 1 cup of all-purpose flour for 1 cup of self-rising flour
INGREDIENTS
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Sift together in a medium sized bowl. Use 1/2 cup for this recipe. Store remainder in a zippered bag. Refrigerate until ready to use. ====================
Excellent Gift Idea
Place cornbread mix in a lidded container. Top with a pretty ribbon. Place printed copy of recipe in envelope with a lovely greeting card.
Wish you had recipe for southern cornbread dressing
Hi Lisa! I have a delicious Cornbread Bundt Dressing recipe. It’s dressing baked in a bundt pan. Served with a bowl of cranberry sauce in center. Super popular on my Facebook fan page. Access printable recipe here… http://www.cornbreadmillionaire.com/therecipe/cornbread-bundt-dressing.
Tks for the recipe & yes I will definitely be making your cornbread. !!!
LnC. ( Love n Christ )
Hi Bobbi! You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do. Have a very blessed 2020… in the Name of Jesus Christ!
You threw me a little with cornbread muffin mix. Is hard in Houston to find self rising cornmeal or flour so glad for recipe. Will try recipe when I get muffin mix. Seems to be close to what my mother made. By the time I tried to get her recipe, she was doing mix only.
Hi Barbara! You can omit muffin mix. Cornbread is good with or without it. I like to have options. If I’m out of an ingredient, I can keep on cooking.
Made this for Juneteenth- best cornbread ever! Served with Salmon Patties, greens, fried potatoes for heathen son who won’t eat greens unless I threaten him and cold b- milk. Will make it again! Thank you for the inspiration.
HB Jones, you’re welcome! Greatly appreciate the compliment. Your meal sounds delicious!
I made this came good but it doesn’t look that dark brown!
Janet, thanks for sharing your experience. I use whole buttermilk and allow the cornbread to stay in oven until dark brown. If you use low-fat or fat-free buttermilk, the baked cornbread will have a lighter color… and it will taste good.