Update: recently I made a batch of cornbread using Masa Harina in place of the cornmeal and I thought it was awesome. See Masa Harina Cornbread for details.
When you're ready to cross over to the other side and are just passing through the pearly gates, you'll be presented with a plush white robe, a free eternal membership to Netflix, and a batch of steaming, moist cornbread.
Included is an unlimited supply of guilt-free butter.
Of course, you're welcome to give this chipotle cornbread recipe a try in advance if you're curious to know what the other side is like, but for now you still have to pay your monthly Netflix fee.
Chipotle Skillet Cornbread Recipe
You may have seen fresh jalapenos used in cornbread before, but we are using chipotles in adobo; these are dried, smoked jalapenos that are stored in a tangy adobo sauce.
Their sweet, smoky flavor is a natural fit for cornbread, but note that we are only using a single chipotle here to give just a hint of spice, nothing too crazy.
We're also using a 10" cast iron skillet to help form a distinct crust, but you'll get an equally tasty result if you use a similar sized baking dish.
Using the skillet also makes clean-up a snap with no sticking involved, but to accomplish this you need to start off with a hot skillet. So before you gather any ingredients turn the oven to 425F and put an ovensafe skillet inside; it'll be piping hot by the time you need it.
Then grab a mixing bowl and combine:
1 cup flour
1.5 cups cornmeal (Is cornmeal the same as Masa Harina?)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
Note: you can add an additional 1-2 Tablespoons of sugar or honey for an even sweeter version.
Get 3 Tablespoons of butter melting somewhere, I used a stovetop skillet. You'll be adding 2 Tablespoons of this butter to the wet ingredients and holding 1 Tablespoon in reserve for the skillet.
Then in a separate bowl combine 2 eggs, 1.5 cups buttermilk, 2 Tablespoons of the melted butter, 1 minced chipotle in adobo, and 1 Tablespoon of adobo sauce from the chipotle can. (I usually slice off the stem and scrape out the seeds of the chipotle).
Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and combine well using a spatula or wooden spoon.
By now the skillet is piping hot so don't forget to use a hotpad when you pull it out! Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and swish it around so that the bottom and sides are coated; this will prevent sticking and help form a perfect crust.
Add the cornbread mixture to the skillet, it will mostly settle into an even layer on its own.
Bake at 425F for 25-30 minutes. I took a look at this batch after 25 minutes and then let it cook for a few more minutes to let the crust darken a bit.
Hello sweet chipotle cornbread!
Let this sit for a few minutes before cutting into it. Then serve immediately with a pad of guilt-free butter.
If you slice a piece in half you'll see specks of chipotle. And if you've used similar proportions you'll taste just a hint of the smoky chipotle.
I think this recipe works best when the chipotle takes a side role to the dominant cornbread flavor, but of course you are welcome to experiment with adding another chipotle for a more fiery version.
So good! Give this recipe a try, there's a fairly good chance you'll take a few bites and describe it as heavenly.
Buen Provecho.
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Sweet Chipotle Skillet Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1.5 cups buttermilk
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 chipotle, minced
- 1 Tablespoon adobo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat cast iron skillet in oven at 425F
- In a mixing bowl add 1 cup flour, 1.5 cups cornmeal, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 Tablespoons sugar. Combine well.
- Get 3 Tablespoons of butter melting somewhere, I used a skillet on the stovetop.
- In a separate bowl combine 2 eggs, 1.5 cups buttermilk, 2 Tablespoons of the melted butter, 1 minced chipotle, and 1 Tablespoon of adobo sauce. I usually cut off the stem and scrape out the seeds of the chipotle.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine well using a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Take the skillet out of the oven (use a hotpad!) and add the remaining Tablespoon of butter. Swish the butter around so the bottom and sides of the skillet are coated.
- Add the cornbread mixture to the skillet and form an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes. (This batch was baked for 30 minutes).
- Let cornbread rest in the skillet for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven, then serve with a helping of guilt-free butter.
Notes
Still hungry?!
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Kathleen Benton
With an open can of chipotle in adobo sitting in the fridge, I wondered if I could flavor cornbread with it and then found your recipe. I’m eager to try it.
For years I’ve been making plain or jalapeño cornbread using The Joy of Cooking recipe. The basic ingredients and proportions are similar to your recipe, so I know it will be good.
For the cornmeal measurement I always used half masa harina and half stone-ground cornmeal. We love the taste and texture that combination gives. Butter is the fat in the recipe, but, the skillet is greased with bacon drippings. My husband is from the South and says that there is no sugar in cornbread, so I leave it out. Doesn’t change the outcome of the recipe, except that it’s not sweet.
Shar
We have milk and gluten sensitivities. Could I substitute an alternative milk yogurt for the buttermilk? It’s not as acidic as buttermilk. Also, has anyone used low carb gluten-free flour alternatives? This sounds delicious and I’m determined to figure out a way to make it. I just discovered this site and bookmarked it to explore further. Thanks.
Patrick
Hey Shar! I feel like the alternative milk yogurt would work, but I'm not sure how this recipe would react to a gluten-free flour, just wondering if it will fluff up as much. Hoping someone else can chime in on that one. Cheers.
Mischa
I've made this recipe twice as written and it's been a huge hit! It's the perfect level of heat and the texture of the cornbread is perfect. I also appreciate how simple it is to throw together. Definitely a keeper!
Patrick
Cheers Mischa.
Diane Murray
This cornbread is delish! I made it exactly according to recipe and baked at altitude of 5,300 feet with no adjustments. The chipotle flavor is subtle and increases slightly in intensity as you work your way through the wedge of cornbread. Texture is a nice, fine crumb that did not fall apart. Baked in my 11-inch cast iron skillet for 30 minutes, there was a wonderful golden brown crust that added a nice crunchy contrast to the moist crumb. When using a single chipotle and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce per the recipe, the result is not too fiery even for friends who are sensitive to spicy foods. Thank you, Patrick.
Patrick
Hey thanks much for your notes on this dish Diane, glad it turned out well for you! Cheers.
Jim Stewart
I want to use your tip for pureeing and freezing the chipotle and the adobo sauce. How much of the frozen puree would I need use to equal one chipotle pepper and one tablespoon of adobo sauce in this cornbread recipe?
Patrick
Hola Jim! Are you using ice cube trays to freeze the chipotles? You'll need about 2-3 tablespoons of the puree for the cornbread recipe and I think this would be pretty close to a single frozen chipotle cube (assuming a traditional ice cube tray with 1-inch cubes). Keep in mind that this will only give it a hint of the chipotle flavor and that's how it tasted best to me. If you want a more fiery version I would double the chipotle amount.
Now craving this cornbread, thanks for the reminder!
Guy Crotty
This sounds delicious. We were recently in Chiapa de Corzo just outside of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas and the had the most delicious corn bread. Sweet, most and SOOOOO more-ish!
Patrick
Wow sounds great Guy, would love to check out that area some day. Hope the recipe treats you well 🙂