Homemade Pumpkin Cornbread Recipe: Autumn’s Cozy Delight

Autumn’s golden embrace brings the warmth of comfort food straight to your table with this delightful pumpkin cornbread recipe that blends rustic charm and seasonal spice.

Soft, tender, and bursting with rich pumpkin flavor, this cornbread offers a delectable twist on a classic Southern staple.

The subtle sweetness and earthy undertones create a perfect companion for hearty soups, chili, or as a standalone snack.

Robust corn meal mingles with smooth pumpkin puree, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each tender bite, promising a culinary experience that feels like a cozy autumn afternoon.

Simple ingredients and easy preparation make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 9

Pumpkin Cornbread Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and soft texture for the cornbread, ensuring a tender crumb.
• Cornmeal: Adds signature grainy texture and authentic corn flavor, choose stone-ground for deeper taste.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, fluffy rise and helps cornbread achieve perfect soft consistency.
• Baking Soda: Helps balance acidic ingredients and supports even browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Delivers warm, autumnal aroma with blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Cinnamon: Adds extra warmth and complementary spice to pumpkin flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and prevents dryness, creating soft crumbly texture.
• Pumpkin Puree: Brings rich, earthy flavor and beautiful orange color, use pure puree not pie filling.
• Milk: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Honey: Contributes natural sweetness and deeper flavor complexity.

• Eggs: Acts as primary binding agent, creating structure and helping ingredients hold together.

Equipment for Pumpkin Cornbread

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients with ease.
• Separate mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients without lumps.
• 9×9-inch square baking pan: Crucial for creating perfect cornbread shape.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps ensure precise ingredient amounts.
• Toothpick: Needed to check cornbread doneness.
• Cooling rack: Allows cornbread to cool evenly after baking.

Instructions to Bake Pumpkin Cornbread

Autumn Comfort Bread

• Oven Preparation Warmth

Set the oven to a cozy 350°F, creating a welcoming environment for your delightful bread. Softly coat a square baking pan with a gentle layer of grease to prevent sticking.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Gather your dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl. Whisk them together with enthusiasm, blending flour, cornmeal, and warming spices until they dance harmoniously.

• Wet Ingredient Melody

In a separate vessel, whisk together creamy pumpkin, rich oils, sweet honey, and eggs until they transform into a smooth, golden liquid that promises deliciousness.

• Bread Fusion

Gently marry the wet and dry ingredients, stirring just enough to create a unified batter. Avoid overworking the mixture to keep the texture light and tender.

• Baking Magic

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, letting it settle into its baking home. Slide into the warm oven and bake until a testing stick comes out clean and the top turns a gentle golden brown.

• Comfort Serving

Allow the bread to rest briefly after baking. Slice and serve while still warm, inviting a drizzle of honey or a pat of creamy butter to enhance its rich autumn flavors.

Pumpkin Cornbread Flavor Tips & Tricks

• Fold in chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips to add exciting texture and unexpected bursts of flavor to your cornbread.
• Replace some vegetable oil with Greek yogurt or applesauce to reduce fat content while maintaining moisture and soft texture in the bread.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Pumpkin Cornbread Warm

• Fall Harvest Companion: Pair this warm pumpkin cornbread with hearty chili or creamy butternut squash soup for a cozy autumn meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Breakfast Delight: Transform slices into a sweet morning treat by topping with maple butter, crispy bacon crumbles, or a dollop of whipped cream cheese.
• Thanksgiving Side Dish: Elevate your holiday table with this festive cornbread alongside roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and classic stuffing for a memorable gathering that celebrates seasonal flavors.
• Versatile Snacking: Cut into small cubes, toast lightly, and use as a crunchy topping for salads or create rustic croutons that add texture and warmth to your favorite green salad.

Storing Pumpkin Cornbread Properly

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep your pumpkin cornbread in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Slice the cornbread and place parchment paper between each piece before storing in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen cornbread stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave for best texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately the night before, storing them in sealed containers. Mix and bake fresh in the morning for a quick, warm breakfast or side dish that tastes just-made.
• Serving Suggestions: Pair with chili, soup, or salad for a complete meal. Crumble leftovers into stuffing, use as a base for breakfast casseroles, or transform into delightful bread pudding for zero waste cooking.

Velvety Pumpkin Cornbread Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty pumpkin cornbread brings Southern comfort to autumn tables with rich, spiced flavors. Warm slices pair perfectly with chili, stews, or enjoyed on their own as a comforting side you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (240 ml) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (120 g) yellow cornmeal (not coarse ground)
• 1 cup (240 g) canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) milk
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil, mild olive oil, or melted refined coconut oil
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan to prevent adhesion.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, whisking until perfectly integrated.
3. Liquid Ingredient Harmony: In a separate bowl, blend vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, milk, sugar, honey, and eggs until smooth and consistent, creating a vibrant orange-hued mixture.
4. Batter Creation: Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients, folding gently with minimal stirring to maintain a tender texture. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing which can result in tough cornbread.
5. Baking Process: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, ensuring uniform distribution. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top develops a golden-brown complexion.
6. Serving Suggestion: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Cut into square portions and serve warm, accompanied by a drizzle of honey and a pat of butter for enhanced flavor and richness.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to keep cornbread tender and light, avoiding tough texture from excessive mixing.
• Spice Customization: Adjust pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon levels to suit personal taste preferences or seasonal mood.
• Moisture Magic: Pumpkin puree adds incredible softness and rich moisture, creating a more luxurious cornbread experience.
• Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed warm with butter and honey, enhancing the bread’s subtle sweet and spicy undertones.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg