East Coast Grill’s Cornbread Recipe (2024)

Recipe from East Coast Grill

Adapted by Sam Sifton

East Coast Grill’s Cornbread Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
5(1,796)
Notes
Read community notes

This cornbread, adapted from the one developed by Chris Schlesinger and served at his East Coast Grill in Cambridge, Mass., is lofty and sweet, crusty and cakelike, moist and ethereal. As Sam Sifton said in the 2012 article that accompanied the recipe, it is "the cornbread to become a child’s favorite, to become the only cornbread that matters. All else is not cornbread." —Sam Sifton

Featured in: The Corn Bread Matters Most

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings

  • 2cups all-purpose flour
  • 1cup yellow cornmeal
  • ¾cup white sugar
  • ½teaspoon salt
  • 1tablespoon baking powder
  • 2large eggs
  • cups whole milk
  • tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ¼cup melted butter
  • 2cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

426 calories; 12 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 70 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 23 grams sugars; 9 grams protein; 323 milligrams sodium

Note: 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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East Coast Grill’s Cornbread Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a 9-inch cast-iron skillet and put it in the oven to heat up.

  2. Step

    2

    In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and oil. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, add the melted butter and the corn and stir together until just mixed.

  3. Remove the hot cast-iron pan from the oven and pour into it the batter, then give the pan a smack on the countertop to even it out. Return pan to oven and bake, approximately 1 hour, until the corn bread is browned on top and a toothpick or a thin knife inserted into the top comes out clean.

Ratings

5

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1,796

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

steven

since this is suppose to be Corn Bread and not a cake I omitted the sugar and it turned out very good. I figure there Is enough sugar in our daily life. I need to have the real thing and taste the corn. I used creamy corn instead of kernel. very good...... thank you

MaryMcC

Used buttermilk instead of milk, then it was done 10 min. early. Probably not a coincidence....

Bill F

I also used buttermilk, and yes, it was done ten minutes earlier. The cornbread was very good, the only change I'd make would be to reduce the sugar to 1/2 cup instead of the 3/4 cup as called for in the recipe. It was rather sweet (approaching too sweet) with the 3.4 cup.

LH

There's nothing better than cornbread, and this is a good one.

Tweaks:

Cut the sugar by 30 to 40% – – it'll still be sweet, but less desserty.

I like to use corn kernels I have blackened on one side in a lightly oiled skillet.

Also, consider using 2 teaspoons of melted, strained bacon grease in place of 2 teaspoons of the oil or butter in the recipe – – adds delightful smokey flavor note!

Finally, who would complain if you added two coarsely chopped green onions to the batter?

Jay

Traditional cornbread shouldn't have flour:Mary Daniel's cornbread (from a pioneer recipe - circe 1860's, Texas)3 Tbs oil heated to 425 in an iron skilletMix 1 1/2 cups stone ground cornmeal with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp sodaIn a separate bowl mix 1 c buttermilk with 2 eggsPour into hot oil in skillet and bake 20 minutes (keep an eye on it)Mary Daniels lived in Weatherford, TX. Was near 100 in the 1990's when she died. This was her grandmother's recipe.

Roni Jordan

Well this is from the East Coast Grill in Cambridge, MA, and that's the way we Yankees like it up here.

Heidi Mayer

I thought I had found my perfect cornbread recipe, until I made this one. I adore the added texture and flavor of the corn kernels and the crusty top. The cornbread has just the right amount of sweetness and the consistency is heavenly. It will be a long time before I try another recipe.

John

I wonder what all the people commenting that you cannot call cornbread with sugar added "bread" call their sweetbreads, banana breads, etc. It is very common to add sugar to cornbread in the north, and thank goodness it is, because it is delicious sweetened with sugar. I wouldn't make it any other way.

Nonorexia

It's wicked with maple syrup instead of sugar, or canela from the Dominican Republic!

Betsy

This has been my go-to cornbread recipe since it was published four years ago, but usually with buttermilk instead of whole milk, and sometimes without the corn kernels. Yes, it always takes about 50 minutes instead of an hour with buttermilk. Don't forget to serve it with the honey and red pepper flake mixture (follow link to original recipe) on the side!

the mad hungarian

This was the most popular dish at a dinner of five that included one elderly person and one child. I thought I'd have leftovers but no such luck. A little extra salt might give it a little extra zing -- I might try it with an extra 1/4 teaspoon next time -- but it was awesome as is. Who cares if it's Yankee cornbread? It's delicious. So many critics; but only one Sam Sifton. Thank you, Sam.

Jim Cantrell

You should call this Corn Cake, it is way too sweet to be Cornbread.

Pauline C

This cornbread that's sweet and cake-like is what I think of as Yankee cornbread. The one that's all corn meal and unsweetened is what southerners prefer.

Deb B

After moving 20 years ago from NJ to NC, I was shocked to find that I hated southern-style cornbread. I am so pleased to find this recipe, adapted from a well-loved restaurant cornbread. For those who only like southern-style, don't make it. Pretty simple! I love it, and I am very, very happy that it works so well as written :)

John Koch

All-purpose flour and sugar in cornbread? You should call whatever this is something else.

Camille

I only have a 12-inch skillet, so I multiplied everything by 1.75. I’ve copied the measurements below if it's helpf:3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 3/4 cups cornmeal7/8 cup white sugar7/8 teaspoon salt1 3/4 tablespoon baking powder3 1/2 large eggs (for the half an egg, weigh out what the whole egg is, then whisk it and only use half of the weight).2 5/8 cups whole milk2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon + 5/8 teaspoon oil 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons butter3 1/2 cups cornBake longer!

Nora

I just took this out of the oven and cut myself a piece and it's good enough to send me to the computer to say - YUM. I used my frozen garden corn and since I'd minced a jalapeno for a different recipe I tossed it in too. I've made many kinds of corn bread but this is my new favorite.

Laura

Another thing for southerners to fight with northerners about. Sigh. Allow me to offer my perspective, as a person who grew up in the south but moved to Boston as a young adult and immediately felt at home. I used to eat at the East Coast Grill regularly and much prefer this cornbread (albeit with a nudge less sugar) to traditional southern style cornbread, which is like sawdust, imo.

Anna

Mine came out very dense and heavy. What did I do wrong?

amazing builds

Added 1/4 # crisped, diced baconCan of creamed cornFollowed rest of recipeMoist and delicious

Catherine

Reduce sugar by half. Use extra melted butter instead of oil.

Drey

I miss the East Coast Grill so finding this recipe was a treat! Made 100% as written and yes it's sweet, but it's true to what was served at the restaurant as delivers on the promise of, "...lofty and sweet, crusty and cakelike, moist and ethereal..." Thank you NY Times!

JohnEpdx

Love Sam Sifton. This? Flavorless. Going back to southern style. Only change I made was 1/2 cup sugar instead of 3/4.

Cam

This is the perfect recipe for me! It turns out beautifully every time. I don’t change anything. I use frozen blackened corn from Trader Joe’s. Everyone loves it!

JoCo

Made to serve with leftover chili - amazing! Golden brown, fluffy, delicious by itself or with chili, butter, or honey. Used a couple Tbsp of polenta with the cornmeal, 1/2c sugar, 2% milk, a few shakes of Everything but the Elote, and about 1/2c cottage cheese (didn't have kernels or would add). Used removable bottom cake tin, cooked 50 min, cooled in pan 10 min, perfect.

Hannah

This recipe was seriously so good. Perfectly tender and really easy to make. I did cut out 2 tbsp of the sugar based on some of the comments, and it was still sweet enough for my liking. I'd remake this for sure and it passes the I'd-make-this-for-company benchmark. As for the comments saying they didn't like it because it's not savory: it says right in the recipe description that it's sweet...if you don't like it sweet or want a savory bread, I'd just try a different recipe lol.

Christine VB

Aside from the fact that I cut down the butter to 1/2 cup and baked it for 50 minutes instead of an hour, I made it as written. Delicious! But it does make a huge loaf, so maybe next time I’ll make half a batch in a loaf pan.

Christine VB

I goofed, this should say that I reduced the sugar, not the butter.

MishaX

This is my all time favorite cornbread recipe, exactly as written. Okay, I just recently made a modification. I subbed two cups of chopped fresh cranberries for the corn kernels. The sweet sour contrast was amazingly good. It was a big hit at the Thanksgiving table.

Marie

Perfect without the sugar. Used this recipe for Thanksgiving stuffing. Worked well with vegan substitutes for butter and milk. (oat milk and earth balance)

JCM

Maureen highly recommends

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East Coast Grill’s Cornbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

Southern cornbread has traditionally been made with little or no sugar and smaller amounts of flour (or no flour), with northern cornbread being sweeter and more cake-like. Southern cornbread traditionally used white cornmeal and buttermilk. Other ingredients such as pork rinds are sometimes used.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

Sugar in the cornbread interferes with the flavor of the vegetables. Don't put sugar in your cornbread! Traditional cornbread isn't sweet, but many favorite recipes have sugar in them.

What does adding an extra egg to cornbread do? ›

The yolk will make the texture more dense and smooth, a bit brownie-like, while the fact that your original batter was too thick means that the additional liquid will help the baking powder achieve better leavening, giving you an airier texture.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

I want to keep the cornbread taste, just less crumbly! I recommend extra egg yolk, adding corn, and using cast iron to bake. Also, try a little lower temperature.

What is cornbread called in the South? ›

Both sources confirm that corn pone is cooked in a cast iron skillet, which is also the traditional cooking vessel for Southern cornbread. Cornbread came about as more ingredients were added to the basic corn pone recipe: buttermilk, eggs, and a leavener such as baking soda or baking powder (or both).

Is medium or fine cornmeal better for cornbread? ›

As for the best cornmeal for cornbread, either fine- or medium-grind cornmeal is a great choice. Medium-grind cornmeal will bring slightly more texture and grittiness to the batter, which you may or may not want (it's up to you!). You can use fine or medium cornmeal in these extra corny muffins.

Why is cornbread not healthy? ›

The exact nutritional profile of cornbread can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, cornbread generally contains high amounts of carbs, phosphorus, and sodium in each serving. One piece of cornbread prepared from a commercially prepared mix contains ( 2 ): Calories: 198.

Is cornbread good or bad for diabetics? ›

Cornbread is delicious and a great accompaniment to any meal. However, it is not a good idea if you are a diabetic. The high starch and cornmeal contents are carbohydrates which are broken down into sugar in the body. Sugar is extremely dangerous for people with diabetes, so it is best to avoid it.

What's the difference between southern and northern cornbread? ›

While both styles generally use the same ingredients -- cornmeal, flour, eggs, and baking powder -- the variance lies in the flavor and texture. Northern-style cornbread tends to be sweeter, moister, and cake-like compared to its Southern counterpart.

Can I use half-and-half in my cornbread instead of milk? ›

Cornbread FAQ

Yes, you can, but it may result in a less rich flavor. If you're out of milk, try using cream or half-and-half, evaporated or powdered milk, or even plain yogurt. If you have dietary restrictions, try soy milk or oat milk.

What happens if I use 1 egg instead of 2? ›

Using too few eggs will make your desserts dense, but using too many will make them rubbery. The explanation for this lies in the fact that eggs are made up of protein. As Fine Cooking explains, when the protein in eggs combines with the protein in flour, they produce the overall structure of the baked good.

How to jazz up cornbread? ›

Heat and spices

You can stir in 1 cup of roasted chopped jalapeños or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne into the batter. Or, you can mix in 3 tablespoons of your favorite chile paste. Fields also recommends trying a little NOLA flair by adding a rounded ¼ teaspoon Cajun spice blend to your cornbread mix.

Should you let cornbread batter rest? ›

1Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: We recommend allowing cornbread batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking, so if you prefer, you can delay heating the oven until you make the batter. 2Melt the butter, and then set aside to cool slightly.

Why does my cornbread fall apart when I cut it? ›

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

How to make Krusteaz cornbread better? ›

How To Spice Up Krusteaz ® Cornbread
  1. Green Chile (or Jalapenos) & Cheddar Cheese. Give your cornbread a spicy kick by adding 1/4 cup chopped green chiles or jalapenos and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Peaches & Brown Sugar. ...
  3. Parmesan Cheese & Herbs. ...
  4. Apples & Maple Syrup. ...
  5. Bacon, Green Onion & Pepper Jack Cheese. ...
  6. Corn & Chives.

Is Southern cornbread sweet or not? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

What is Southern cornbread made of? ›

In a large mixing bowl, mix dry ingredients: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well. Take the cast iron skillet out of the oven and pour the batter into it.

Should Southern cornbread be sweet? ›

In 1892, a Times correspondent, after enumerating the many types of corn-based breads eaten in Virginia, noted, "It will be observed that in none of them is sugar used. There are cornmeal puddings served with sweet sauces, but no Southern cook would risk the spoiling of her cornbreads by sweetening them."

Is real Southern cornbread sweet? ›

Real, traditional, Southern-style cornbread is savory, not sweet, and always has been.

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