Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe

Introduction

There is nothing that makes me feel at home as soon as I get a whiff of fresh cornbread baking in the oven. It is so cozy, with that warm, slightly sweet smell emanating from the kitchen – it is as much a comforting hug in a delicious package. 

The Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe achieves this feeling most perfectly. It is tender, golden, and not too sweet or savory.

I originally fell in love with this cornbread at the restaurant’s buffet many years ago. You may have experienced that certain dishes at the Golden Corral leave you wanting to have one more bite. 

This was that dish for me. I was aware that I needed to figure out how to make it at home, and after some tasty attempts, I, at last, got it.

Today, I am offering my take on the Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe – fluffy, buttery, and having that special taste of sweetness that makes it so addictive. It may be served with chili, barbecue, or just a species of butter, but this recipe is going to be a keeper.

What is Golden Corral Cornbread?

Golden Corral cornbread is the type of bread that is a typical Southern style and is neither too wet nor too dry. It is slightly sweet, buttery, and it has a gorgeous golden crust that crunches just slightly as you bite into it.

Another difference with some of the thick or dry ones is that this is soft and tender inside, courtesy of the correct combination of flour and cornmeal, with a sprinkle of sugar and buttermilk to keep it moist. It goes hand in hand with nearly any food, fried chicken, ribs, soup, or even breakfast, and honey.

Or at the buffet, it is frequently served in square pieces, fresh out of the oven, and eager to absorb all the good out of your plate. The texture is celestial, and that is light yet rich, and that is just what we would be recreating here.

Equipment List

This is all you will require to prepare this cornbread:

• Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 9×9-inch baking pan or cast-iron skillet.
• Butter or non-stick spray to grease the pot.
• Oven preheated to 375°F (190°C)

Ingredients For Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar added)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup melted butter (unsalted)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (not compulsory but beautiful to smell)

Instructions For Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe

Step 1 – Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter or non-stick spray a baking dish or skillet lightly. When you have a cast-iron skillet, you can place it in the oven just a little by placing the batter in the pan so that you can get that crispy edge.

Step 2 – Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Ensure that they are well mixed to avoid lumping.

Step 3 – Mix Wet Ingredients

Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, butter and oil (or vanilla) in another bowl. Butter gives it that bakery style and the oil keeps the bread moist.

Step 4 – Combine

Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture. Gently mix all together until mixed only once- do not overmix. The batter must be thick and a little bit bumpy.

Step 5 – Bake

Add batter to your prepared pan or skillet. Bake 25-30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick pulled out of the center comes out clean.

Step 6 – Cool and Serve

Allow the cornbread to cool down for approximately 10 minutes, then cut. Warm with butter, honey, or even drizzles of maple syrup, should you be feeling fancy.

Flavor and Texture Notes

There is a slight sweetness of this Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe which adds to the flavor without overpowering it. The crust is very pretty, gold in color–a little crisp on the surface, and tender and wet within.

Butter and oil make it soft, and buttermilk provides it with a light tang that balances the sweetness out. Vanilla is not required, but it will provide it with a special touch, which will make it taste as though it came right from the buffet line.

Variations to Try

1. Honey Butter Cornbread

Combine the wet ingredients with 2 tablespoons of honey and pour it on the whipped honey butter.

2. Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

Add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper to give it a savory flavor.

3. Corn Kernel Boost

Stir in 1/2 cup fresh or tinned corn seeds to make the bread even more nutritious and sweet.

4. Maple Glaze

To serve as a dessert, cornbread can be drizzled with a basic glaze of powdered sugar and maple syrup.

How to Serve

Cornbread is a side dish that can fit in any meal because it is a versatile meal. The following are my top two combinations:

• Add chili or stew, the ideal dip and scoop.
• Accompaniment to barbecue ribs or fried chicken.
• Buttered and toasted at breakfast.
• Served on top of mac and cheese or casseroles.
• Served warm and mixed with honey as a sweet pastry.

Storage and Reheating

To store: Tighten the cornbread when cool, in a piece of plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will remain fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days or up to 4-5 days in the fridge.

To freeze: Cut into individual slices, wrap them, and freeze for no more than 2 months.

Reheating: Place in the oven at 300 o C, or in the microwave, 20 sec. per slice.

How to make the Perfect Cornbread.

Do not overmix: Blend only until the ingredients are mixed.

Buttermilk: This can be used, as it lightens the texture.

Hot the pan: This is especially true with cast iron, which adds a sharp bite.

Butter after baking: Add melted butter at the top immediately after the baked item leaves the oven to add additional flavor.

Slice: Slice it when it is a little cooler in order to avoid too much crumbling.

Nutrition Information (Per Slice)

Calories: 210

Fat: 9g

Carbohydrates: 28g

Protein: 4g

Sugar: 9g

Final Thoughts

This Golden Corral Cornbread Recipe embodies all the goodness that makes the restaurant so addictive: that damp crumb, that ideal sweetness, that golden hue. It is simple to prepare, it is made with pantry ingredients, and it can be served on all occasions.

It can be served with dinner or used to enjoy it as a snack on its own (which I have done on several occasions). The best is the smell of your kitchen as it bakes -sweet, buttery, so very enticing.

When I prepare this meal, I am reminded of that initial day at the Golden Corral and how funny people were, how delicious the food was, and how pleasant the cozy bite of cornbread was, and it all began.

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