Cornbread Cake with Honey Frosting
Cornbread Cake with Honey Frosting is a unique dessert that perfectly balances the hearty, rustic flavor of cornbread with a smooth, sweet honey frosting. This moist, fluffy cake combines simple pantry ingredients to create a tender crumb and a golden honey glaze that brings warmth and elegance to any occasion. Ideal for casual dinners or special celebrations, it’s easily customizable for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup finely ground cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil/vegan butter for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (or almond milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Honey Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter/coconut oil)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1–2 teaspoons milk (or dairy-free milk), optional for consistency adjustment
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), baking powder, and salt until fully combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents for a uniform rise.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and honey together until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until you have a smooth, slightly thick batter.
- Combine the wet and dry mixes: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be just combined to keep the cake tender and light.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the honey frosting: Whip the softened butter with powdered sugar and honey until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding a little milk, one teaspoon at a time, until desired spreadability is reached.
- Frost and serve: Evenly spread the honey frosting over the cooled cake. Let the frosting drip appealingly over the edges. Slice and enjoy your Cornbread Cake with Honey Frosting.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for smooth mixing and to prevent curdling or uneven texture.
- Don’t skip the buttermilk as it provides the moist crumb and subtle tanginess signature to this cake.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
- Whisk dry ingredients thoroughly to avoid lumps and ensure an even rise.
- Taste test your honey beforehand, as different honey varieties vary in strength and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Cornbread cake, honey frosting, southern dessert, gluten-free dessert, moist cake, easy baking