Sweet and Moist Northern-Style Cornbread Recipe

You don't have to give up that crisp, brown, Southern-style crust to enjoy sweet and moist Northern-style cornbread. We tweaked our Northern cornbread recipe until we finally arrived on a version that delivers both, with plenty of golden corn flavor to boot.

Why this recipe works:

Preheating the pan and coating it with butter creates a dark crust with a light, nutty flavor
Using sour cream along with buttermilk increases the mild tanginess and overall flavor of the bread
Adding a little oil to the batter results in a more cake-like moistness

How to Make Sweet and Moist Northern-Style Cornbread

Active: 10 mins

Total: 40 mins

Serves: 6 to 8 servings

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1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons melted butter, cooled slightly, plus 1 additional tablespoon for pan
2 tablespoons canola oil

Place a 10" cast iron skillet on middle rack in oven and preheat to 425°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, buttermilk, eggs, 3 tablespoons melted butter, and canola oil. Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients and whisk until completely combined.
Using pot holders, carefully remove hot pan from oven. Place 1 tablespoon butter in skillet and swirl to completely melt and coat inside of pan. Pour in cornbread batter and place in oven. Bake until skewer inserted into middle of cornbread comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 5 minutes, then carefully turn out to wire rack and let cool an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Reheat any leftover cornbread before serving again.