This Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is so good it’s ridiculous. I scribbled the recipe on a scrap of paper years ago while watching Ina Garten make it on TV and filed it away. A few years later I came across the recipe and made a batch. It was incredible. No wonder I wrote “very very excellent” on the recipe. Sometimes cornbread can be dry but Ina shared a little trick that ensures it comes out moist every time.
I don’t usually tweak a recipe from a professional. They do know what they’re doing. In this case though, I use a little less sugar but only because I prefer cornbread (and scones and tea biscuits) to be less sweet. It’s just a personal taste and nothing to do with the recipe. So I’ve revised the original version of the recipe to have only 1 tablespoon of sugar instead of 1/4 cup. I’ve had lots of terrific cornbread in the U.S. but I don’t want it to taste like cake.
There’s a lot of butter in this recipe! I’m sure that’s why it’s so good. I noticed on Ina’s website there was a negative review, saying it was too heavy. Um, well yes, there is half a pound of cheese and half a pound of butter in Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread. So just be warned. That my friends is why it’s so good!
The first step in making the cornbread is to melt the butter and mix in eggs and milk. Yes, it doesn’t make sense to add cold milk to warm butter but if you add a little at a time it will actually combine. This is called tempering. If you add cold milk and eggs to hot melted butter all at once you get scrambled eggs. By adding a little at a time it brings the temperature of the butter down to prevent this.
The secret to moist cornbread….
Letting the batter rest.
Sift together the dry ingredients and add into the dairy mixture, stirring gently just to combine. Add most of the cheese and scallions, saving a few for the top. It’s ok if there’s a few lumps and dry bits. Now, let it sit for 20 minutes. This allows time for the cornmeal to absorb some liquid so the bread is moist. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees while the batter is resting.
After 20 minutes pour into a buttered 9 x 13 pan. Or 2 smaller pans. Bake on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes if it’s a large pan or 30-35 minutes for 2 smaller pans. It may take a little more or less time depending on the exact size of the pan. Testing by inserting a toothpick into the thickest part of the cornbread is important. If it comes out clean, your Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is ready.
If one big pan is too much, you can split this recipe. Crack one of the eggs and whisk it until the yolk and whites are combined. Then carefully pour or spoon out half of the egg into a small container. You can use it later for scrambled eggs, french toast, etc. Then add the other egg to the half egg and you’ve got yourself one and a half eggs! The rest of the ingredients are easily divided.
Serve Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread warm with butter. More butter? Why not?
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 C all purpose flour
- 1 C yellow cornmeal
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp baking powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 C milk
- 3 extra large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ lb unsalted butter, melted plus extra for greasing pan
- 8 oz extra sharp old Cheddar, grated save some for top
- 3 scallions, minced about 1/3 cup, save some for top
- 3 Tbsp seeded and minced fresh jalapeno peppers
Instructions
- Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
- In separate bowl melt butter. Add milk in small amounts to temper butter, then stir in eggs.
- Add wet ingredients to dry, stirring only until lumps are dissolved. Do not over mix.
- Shred cheese and add most (about 2 cups) to the cornbread batter. Mince scallions and jalapenos and add to batter as well, reserving some scallions for the top.
- Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter.
- Pour batter into pan, smooth the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese and scallions. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
I have this recipe in my binder in your handwriting. I need to make it again too. ☺️