Spicy Sweet Jalapeño Cornbread (Printable)

Moist golden cornbread with sweet corn, jalapeño heat, and zesty lime drizzle for a bold, tasty twist.

# What You'll 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 canned or frozen corn kernels, drained or thawed

→ Add-Ins

11 - 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
12 - 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease or line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
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 mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Gently fold in corn kernels, chopped jalapeños, and cheddar cheese if using.
06 - Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula for 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.
09 - While cooling, whisk powdered sugar, lime juice, and lime zest in a small bowl until smooth and drizzle-consistency.
10 - Drizzle the lime glaze over the slightly warm cornbread. Allow to cool further, then slice and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey and corn create an incredible sweetness that balances perfectly with the jalapeños gentle heat
  • That lime drizzle transforms everything, adding bright acidity that cuts through the richness and makes each bite sing
02 -
  • Overmixing creates tough cornbread, so stop as soon as the flour disappears into the batter
  • The glaze works best when the cornbread is slightly warm, helping it absorb all that citrusy goodness
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a more uniform texture
  • Let the glaze sit for two minutes before drizzling to thicken slightly for prettier presentation

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