Spicy Sweet Jalapeño Cornbread (Printable)

Golden cornbread bursting with sweet corn, jalapeño spice, and a zesty lime drizzle for extra flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup yellow cornmeal
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 tbsp baking powder
05 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
09 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 cup corn kernels, drained or thawed

→ Add-Ins

11 - 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
12 - 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Zesty Lime Drizzle

14 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
15 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
16 - 1 tsp lime zest

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease or line an 8-inch square baking pan.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, vegetable oil, and honey until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Gently fold in corn kernels, chopped jalapeños, and cheddar cheese until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before glazing.
09 - Meanwhile, mix powdered sugar, lime juice, and lime zest in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
10 - Drizzle the lime glaze evenly over the slightly warm cornbread. Let cool further, then slice and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lime drizzle transforms ordinary cornbread into something you would absolutely order at a restaurant and then try to recreate at home
  • That jalapeño heat sneaks up on you in the best possible way, making every bite feel like a tiny celebration
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter will make your cornbread tough and dense, so put the whisk down the second you no longer see dry flour
  • The glaze sinks in beautifully when applied to warm cornbread, so timing that moment is worth paying attention to
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly and create a more even texture, so plan ahead
  • Letting the glaze drip down the sides looks intentionally rustic and tastes absolutely divine

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