Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about 1 medium sweet potato)
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (can substitute with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, adds warmth)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter. I love using my cast iron for that rustic crust Mama Lou always raved about.
- Peel and cube a medium sweet potato, then boil or steam until tender (about 15 minutes). Mash until smooth and set aside. You can make this ahead of time, which makes the process smoother—one of Mama Lou’s tricks.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps me keep everything even and prevents lumps.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then stir in the buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and mashed sweet potatoes until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Overmixing can make the cornbread tough, so I always remind myself to be gentle—like cracking an egg carefully for Ouma’s pancake mornings.
- Pour the batter into your prepared skillet or baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. You want it even so it bakes uniformly.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The kitchen will fill with the smell of sweet potato and baking bread—one of my favorite aromas that always reminds me of family gatherings.
- Let the cornbread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps it set and makes serving easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
