Classic Sweet Potato Cornbread With Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

A warm slice of cornbread can turn a meal from average to fantastic, and with a few twists and tweaks, this simple bake can be even better. Mashed recipe developer Kate Shungu brings us this classic sweet potato cornbread with cinnamon honey butter recipe. Brimming with heartwarming flavors and a sweetly spiced extra final touch, it's the perfect cornbread to bake whether you're hosting guests or dining solo.

"This is a moist, fluffy cornbread recipe, courtesy of the mashed sweet potatoes, butter, and sour cream," Shungu describes. "It's lightly sweet and pairs really nicely with the cinnamon honey butter." Aside from the mouthwatering combination, she comments, "I love how easy it is to incorporate sweet potatoes into a classic dish like cornbread." Instead of spending time cooking the spuds from scratch, she opts for a shortcut with canned sweet potatoes, "so they're ready to be mashed after draining." Use the extra minutes to whip up a decadent cinnamon honey butter to spread on top.

Gather the ingredients for this classic sweet potato cornbread with cinnamon honey butter

For this cornbread recipe, start by draining a can of cooked sweet potatoes. Shungu explains, "Canned sweet potatoes are packed in a sweet sugar syrup, so we'll drain that out," and points out, "The cornbread only needs a little sugar as a result." Next, you'll need softened butter, eggs, sour cream, milk, granulated sugar, cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and honey.

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Step 2: Prep a baking dish

Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 3: Melt some butter

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Set aside.

Step 4: Mash the sweet potatoes

Place drained sweet potatoes in a large bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until mashed.

Step 5: Add dairy, eggs, and sugar

Add melted butter, eggs, sour cream, milk, and sugar, and mix to combine.

Step 6: Whisk the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 7: Combine the wet and dry ingredients

Fold flour mixture into the sweet potato mixture.

Step 8: Transfer the batter to the dish

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.

Step 9: Bake

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.

Step 10: Combine butter, cinnamon, and honey

Meanwhile, place remaining 4 tablespoons softened butter, cinnamon, and honey in a medium bowl.

Step 11: Beat into a spread

Beat with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy.

Step 12: Serve

Slice cornbread and serve with cinnamon honey butter.

How should you serve sweet potato cornbread with cinnamon honey butter?

Of course, no one would bat an eye if you simply served a warm slice of sweet potato cornbread with a layer of cinnamon honey butter. That being said, it also makes an excellent starchy side dish to elevate a simple meal. Shungu comments, "I love serving this with roast chicken or barbecue chicken." Thanks to its heartiness and comforting flavors, she points out, "It's especially nice in the fall or winter, but, truthfully, I'd devour this any time of year."

You might think that sweet potato cornbread is enough of a treat by itself, but Shungu doesn't just include the seasoned butter as an afterthought. "The cinnamon honey butter will take the cornbread from good to great — don't skip it!" she instructs. We'll take her word for it; after all, the thought of butter melting onto the warm cornbread is enough to make us trust her opinion.

How should you store sweet potato cornbread with cinnamon honey butter?

After you've enjoyed a first serving of sweet potato cornbread, you'll want to properly store any leftovers so you can savor it at peak freshness for a few more days. "The cornbread can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator in a covered container," Shungu recommends. Meanwhile, if you live alone or want to make a batch of cornbread for a rainy day, she notes, "It'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, too."

While the cornbread is best served warm from the oven, if you are planning to serve it at a dinner party, you can at least get a head start on the cinnamon honey butter. "You can make the butter ahead of time," Shungu says. "Let it come to room temperature before serving. You don't need to whip it again, but it'll be spreadable at room temperature."

Classic Sweet Potato Cornbread With Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
4.9 from 33 ratings
A leftover cooked sweet potato is a clever add-in to cornbread, lending a sweet and salty note that pairs perfectly with cinnamon honey butter.
Prep Time
15
minutes
Cook Time
30
minutes
Servings
9
servings
sweet potato cornbread in dish
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 (15-ounce) can cooked sweet potatoes, drained
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, softened, divided
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons honey
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  2. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  3. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Set aside.
  4. Place drained sweet potatoes in a large bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until mashed.
  5. Add melted butter, eggs, sour cream, milk, and sugar, and mix to combine.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
  7. Fold flour mixture into the sweet potato mixture.
  8. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.
  10. Meanwhile, place remaining 4 tablespoons softened butter, cinnamon, and honey in a medium bowl.
  11. Beat with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy.
  12. Slice cornbread and serve with cinnamon honey butter.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 326
Total Fat 14.6 g
Saturated Fat 8.3 g
Trans Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 71.6 mg
Total Carbohydrates 43.7 g
Dietary Fiber 1.9 g
Total Sugars 10.7 g
Sodium 271.9 mg
Protein 5.7 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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