The Best Moist Cornbread Muffins Recipe with Creamed Corn

These Cornbread Muffins are incredibly moist and packed with flavor, thanks to a special ingredient: creamed corn! They are the perfect accompaniment to hearty soups and chili, or a wonderful addition to your holiday spread. Easy to make and undeniably delicious, they’ll quickly become a family favorite.

If you appreciate the comforting aroma and taste of freshly baked cornbread, then you’re in for a treat with this muffin recipe. I have a particular fondness for cornbread that’s just a touch sweet, but the beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. If you prefer a less sweet muffin, simply reduce the amount of sugar by half. Either way, these muffins promise a delightful texture and a richness that’s hard to beat.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Easy Cornbread Muffin Recipe:

• Effortlessly Quick: From mixing bowl to your dinner table in less than 30 minutes! This recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights or when you need a quick, delicious side.
• Unbelievably Moist and Flavorful: Say goodbye to dry, crumbly cornbread! Our secret weapon, creamed corn, infuses these muffins with incredible moisture and a deeper, more satisfying corn flavor. You’ll be amazed at the tender texture.
• Perfectly Versatile: These muffins are a fantastic complement to a wide array of dishes. They shine brightest alongside hearty soups, spicy chili, or savory stews, but they’re also wonderful for holiday gatherings, barbecues, or even a simple breakfast with a smear of butter or jam.
• Better Than Boxed Mix: Once you try this homemade recipe, you’ll never reach for a store-bought mix again. The fresh ingredients and simple steps yield a superior taste and texture that truly stands out.
• Simple Ingredients: You’ll likely have most of the necessary ingredients already in your pantry, making this a go-to recipe anytime the craving strikes.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Moist Muffins

Every ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect moist and flavorful cornbread muffin. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• ALL PURPOSE FLOUR: This provides the primary structure for your muffins. I highly recommend sticking with all-purpose flour for this recipe, as I haven’t tested it with self-rising flour. Self-rising flour contains added leavening and salt, which would throw off the balance of the recipe.
• CORNMEAL: The star of any cornbread! I generally prefer a normal or medium grind of cornmeal for a classic cornbread texture that isn’t too gritty. However, feel free to use your preferred grind; a coarser grind will yield a more rustic muffin, while a finer grind will result in a softer crumb.
• BAKING POWDER: This is our primary leavening agent, responsible for those beautifully domed tops and light, airy texture. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best rise.
• SALT: A small but mighty ingredient that enhances all the other flavors in the muffin, balancing the sweetness and making the corn flavor pop.
• SUGAR: As mentioned, I love my cornbread with a hint of sweetness. This not only adds a pleasant flavor but also contributes to the tender crumb and golden-brown crust. If you lean towards a more savory cornbread, simply reduce the sugar by half, or even omit it if you prefer.
• CREAMED CORN: This is the secret ingredient that truly sets these muffins apart! Creamed corn adds a remarkable amount of moisture, preventing dryness that can often plague cornbread. It also provides an extra boost of sweet corn flavor and a delightful texture. Do not substitute this with regular corn kernels; the creamy consistency is essential for the muffin’s moisture.
• MILK: Any type of milk will work perfectly in this recipe, whether it’s whole milk, 2%, or even a non-dairy alternative. The fat content can slightly affect richness, but the overall result will still be fantastic.
• BUTTER: Melted butter contributes a rich, undeniable flavor that oil simply can’t replicate. It adds a wonderful depth and moistness to the muffins. For the best taste and texture, I highly recommend using butter and not replacing it with oil.
• EGGS: Eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the muffins together and providing structure. They also add richness and contribute to the overall moisture content.

The How-To: Crafting Your Perfect Cornbread Muffins

Making these moist cornbread muffins is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for delicious results every time:

PREP: Before you begin mixing, ensure your oven is preheated to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature helps the muffins rise quickly, creating a beautiful domed top and a slightly crispy exterior. Prepare your muffin pan by either lining it with paper liners or greasing each cup thoroughly. Liners make for easy removal and cleanup, while greasing the pan directly gives the muffins a slightly crispier edge.

BATTER: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients first: all-purpose flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly distributed. Then, add in the wet ingredients: creamed corn, eggs, milk, and melted butter. Stir the mixture gently, just until the ingredients are barely combined. As you can see in the photo above, it’s perfectly fine – even desirable – to have a few small spots of dry flour remaining. Overmixing the batter can lead to tough, dense muffins, so a light hand is key to keeping them tender and moist.

FILL: Carefully divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups. I find that using a large cookie scoop is incredibly helpful for this step, as it keeps the process clean and ensures that each muffin is roughly the same size, promoting even baking. Don’t worry if a little batter spills; simply wipe up any excess from the top of the pan before baking to prevent it from burning.

BAKE: Place the muffin pan into your preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The muffins are ready when they are beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean. This indicates they are cooked through and perfectly moist inside.

COOL: Once baked, prompt removal from the pan is important. If you used paper liners, remove the muffins from the pan immediately and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. If you greased the pan directly, let the muffins rest in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them to the wire rack. This brief resting period helps prevent them from sticking or falling apart.

Tips for Achieving the Best Cornbread Muffins

• Do Not Overmix: This is the golden rule for tender muffins. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined. A few lumps are perfectly fine and often preferred.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing your eggs and milk to room temperature helps them incorporate more easily into the batter, leading to a smoother, more consistent texture.
• Fresh Baking Powder: Baking powder loses its potency over time. Always check its expiry date to ensure your muffins get a good rise.
• Accurate Measurements: Baking is a science. Use proper measuring cups and spoons, and for best results with flour and cornmeal, weigh them if possible.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking is the quickest way to dry out any muffin. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time and rely on the toothpick test.

Delicious Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations

These versatile cornbread muffins are delightful on their own, but truly shine when paired with other dishes or customized with your favorite add-ins.

Perfect Pairings:

• Classic Comfort: They are simply unbeatable alongside a steaming bowl of Hearty Beef Stew, a warming bowl of chili, or a hearty Easy Taco Soup.
• Holiday Spreads: Make them a staple at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table, offering a comforting alternative to traditional rolls.
• Breakfast or Snack: Enjoy them warm with a pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, or your favorite fruit jam for a quick and satisfying breakfast or snack.
• BBQ & Southern Meals: Serve them with pulled pork, fried chicken, or any of your favorite barbecue dishes for an authentic Southern feast.

Creative Variations:

• Cheesy Cornbread: Stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or a Tex-Mex blend) into the batter for a savory, cheesy kick.
• Spicy Jalapeño: For a bit of heat, fold in 1/4 cup of finely diced fresh or pickled jalapeños. Remove seeds for less heat.
• Bacon & Chives: Add 1/4 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped chives for a savory and aromatic twist.
• Extra Sweet: If you love your cornbread very sweet, consider increasing the sugar slightly or adding a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the wet ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More Delicious Recipes You Will Love:

• Hearty Beef Stew
• Easy Taco Soup
• Homemade Hamburger Helper
• Beer Can Chicken
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don’t miss out on any new recipes or cooking tips! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all my latest updates and culinary inspirations!