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Sweet Cornbread without Milk

This easy sweet cornbread is made without milk, without butter, and without buttermilk, but is still moist and flavorful with the perfect crumb.  

Sweet cornbread is popular in New England as opposed to Southern cornbread which is savory.  

As you may have guessed, it is the amount of sugar that one puts in that makes the most difference.

Also, southern cornbread is traditionally made in a cast iron skillet.

Northern cornbread, on the other hand, is more often than not made in a baking pan.

Square sweet cornbread on a plate

Unlike Southern cornbread, which is eaten all year-round, sweet cornbread is most commonly eaten on Thanksgiving. There are also those that make it throughout the autumn.

You may be wondering why cornbread is called corn-bread.  

I remember once reading a comment left on a cornbread recipe by an English woman.  

She said she made it and it was nothing like bread.

Now I’m sure what came out was in fact cornbread but I knew what she meant, so, I got to wondering why it is called cornbread in the first place.

The answer is because it is a quick bread meaning that it is made with baking soda or baking powder instead of yeast.

While this sweet cornbread is made without milk, I don’t taste any difference in the flavor which I love and can’t get enough of!

History of Cornbread

Native people of the Americas had a kind of cornbread which was later adopted by European settlers – especially those who lived in Southern colonies.

In those times, cornbread was a simple combination of ground cornmeal and water that was baked over an open fire or in a hearth. 

While eaten in both the North and the South, cornbread importance in Southern cuisine began out of necessity, because due to the climate European wheat wither and turn rancid.

Then, in the 1800s, eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, baking powder, and fat were added and turned cornbread into a version similar to cornbread as we know it today.

However, it wan’t until the 1900s when flour and sugar were added.

This was due to traditional stone mills being replaced with steel roller mills.

The heat from the steel rollers reduced both the corn kernel’s flavor size of the cornmeal. As a result, sugar and flour were added to compensate for the reduced sweetness and texture.

About Dairy Free Cornbread

Most cornbread contains dairy because cornbread is usually made using milk or buttermilk and butter.

You can however make cornbread without milk by substituting the milk with water, a dairy free milk, or a dairy free buttermilk.

The butter can be substituted with oil (for butter to oil conversion rates see notes), vegan butter, or kosher margarine.

While you can make cornbread with almond milk or cornbread with oat milk, I personally like making cornbread with water.

I also love baking with oil rather than using a butter alternative.

QUICK BREADS VS YEAST BREADS

Yeast breads are breads made using yeast, such as white bread and dinner rolls. Basically, it’s what you think of when you hear the word “bread”.

Quick breads, which originated in the United States, are breads that are leavened with baking soda or baking powder instead of yeast. This allows them to be prepared quickly in comparison to the time it takes to make breads made with yeast.

Irish soda bread and biscuits are two examples of quick breads.

However, banana bread, cornbread, and pumpkin bread are also quick breads, even though they seem more like somewhat dense cakes.

Even more surprisingly, muffins, like blueberry muffins and banana muffins, are also a type of quick bread.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUICK BREAD AND CAKE

Quick breads are denser than cake and usually require less sugar.

FLOUR Used For Quick Bread

Even though “bread” is in the name, quick breads should not be made with bread flour.

Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose, which helps with gluten development. This creates a chewy texture and a heavier, denser bread.

These are not qualities you want from your quick bread.

You could use cake flour, but generally, all-purpose flour is used.

BREAD FLOUR VS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose, which helps with gluten development.

This creates a chewy texture and heavier and denser bread. This can be great in recipes like bread bowls. However, it is less desirable in breads like challah bread, which you want to be light and fluffy.

All-purpose flour has a lower protein content, but can generally be substituted for bread flour.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead?

Generally, if you want to use whole wheat flour in bread, it’s recommended to replace up to half of the all-purpose flour called for with whole wheat flour.

HOW TO MEASURE FLOUR AND OTHER DRY INGREDIENTS

The best way to measure dry ingredients is with a scale. However, this is not commonly done in the United States, where dry measuring cups are used instead.

To measure most dry ingredients, first spoon them into a dry measuring cup and then level off the measuring cup with an upside-down butter knife.

Make sure not to pack it down because it can lead to using more of the ingredient than called for.

The exception is brown sugar. To measure brown sugar, pack it into the measuring cup and then level off any excess.

To measure chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit, just pour them in and then level them off.

DRY VS LIQUID MEASURING CUP

Dry measuring cups are a set of cups that often come with measuring spoons. Each cup is a different measurement just like each spoon is a different measurement.

Liquid measuring cups, on the other hand, are cups that have measuring lines on the side to mark the measurements.

The problem with using liquid measuring cups to measure dry ingredients (like flour and cocoa) is that they are powders. So, as you shake the cup to level them off, the powders settle and you end up with more than you need.

I tested this with a friend who didn’t believe me and we ended up with a number of tablespoons more than the recipe called for.

WHY sift Powdery Ingredients

There are a number of benefits to sifting powdery ingredients like flour and cocoa.

First of all, flour is often sifted before use to aerate it and remove any lumps. This helps in achieving a lighter texture in baked goods. 

Secondly, if you measure flour that’s just been sifted, you can get a more accurate measurement than from flour that’s been packed tightly in a bag. 

In addition, sifting dry ingredients together, such as flour, cocoa, and baking powder, helps make sure they’re evenly dispersed.

Sugar

The primary role of sugar is to be a sweetener. However, sugar also contributes to the tenderness and moistness of the baked good by absorbing and retaining moisture and helps create the golden brown color when baking as it caramelizes.

Recipes with more sugar often result in softer, moister textures. However, I learned the hard way that too much sugar leads to a sticky mess.

When it’s heated, sugar caramelizes, resulting in a rich, complex flavor and a brown color. This adds both flavor and color to baked goods and is also the process in which caramel sauce, dulce de leche, caramel candies, and regular candies are made.

When used in recipes containing yeast, the sugar is eaten by the yeast, producing carbon dioxide and causing the dough to rise.

Sugar also acts as a preservative in jams, jellies, and fruit preserves by reducing water activity and preventing microbial growth.

There are many different types of sugar, including white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla sugar, powdered sugar, turbinado sugar, and demerara sugar.

When a recipe calls for “sugar” without specifying anything else, it’s referring to regular white sugar.

White Sugar

White sugar (sometimes called granulated sugar, table sugar, or white granulated sugar) is made of either beet sugar or cane sugar, which has undergone a refining process.

It is the easiest to find and most commonly used.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses added to it.

It is commonly used in chocolate chip cookie recipes, and it’s rare for a recipe that calls for brown sugar not to also call for white sugar as well.

When a recipe calls for “brown sugar” but doesn’t specify what type (light or dark), it is referring to light brown sugar.

In my recipes, you can use whatever type of brown sugar you have on hand, whether it is dark brown sugar, light brown sugar, or demerara sugar – which is very common in Israel.

Just keep in mind that the flavor and color will be slightly different, depending on what you choose to use.

Turbinado Sugar

Turbinado sugar is better known as “raw sugar.” But, despite this name, the sugar is not really “raw.”

Instead, it’s partially refined sugar that retains some of the original molasses.

The term “raw sugar” may also give off the impression that it is somehow healthier.

In reality, turbinado sugar is nutritionally similar to white sugar.

Demerara Sugar

Demerara sugar is very popular in Israel and is especially delicious in tea, but is also used for baking.

Unlike white sugar, demerara sugar undergoes minimal processing and retains some vitamins and minerals.

However, it is still not much healthier than white sugar.

Vanilla Sugar

Vanilla sugar is not very common in the States. However, it is common in Israel and parts of Europe.

This is sugar that sat for an extended period of time with vanilla beans, giving it a vanilla flavor.

Caster Sugar

This type of sugar is common in the United Kingdom.

It has a grain finer than white (granulated) sugar and larger than powdered sugar.

Caster sugar is often called for in recipes for delicate baked goods like meringues, souffles, and sponge cakes.

You can use a 1:1 conversion rate between caster sugar and white (granulated) sugar.

Powdered sugar

Powdered sugar, sometimes known as confectioners’ sugar, is a sugar with a powdered texture.

This sugar is rarely used for baking. Instead, it is used for dusting desserts and making frosting, icing, and glazes.

In some countries, you can also find powdered vanilla sugar.

It is made the exact same way regular vanilla sugar is made. However, the sugar used is powdered instead of granulated.

Vanilla Extract vs Vanilla sugar

In my recipes, I don’t specify what kind of vanilla to use.

The reason for this is that in the States, vanilla extract is exclusively used.

Meanwhile in Israel, along with many European countries, vanilla sugar is common.

In most, if not all recipes, both vanilla extract and vanilla sugar can be used.

In recipes where vanilla sugar can be used instead of extract, you can replace them 1:1.

Replacing Sugar with Honey

If you’d prefer to use honey instead of sugar, you can do so with pretty good results.

Honey can be two or even three times as sweet depending on the honey, so for every 1 cup of sugar, you can use 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey.

Since honey adds liquid, you need to remove some to balance it out.  For every cup of honey, remove a 1/4 cup of liquid.

Also, it burns faster than granulated sugar, so you want to lower the baking temperature by 25 F.  In addition, check it early and often to avoid burning or overbaking.

How to Store Sugar

Sugar should be stored in an airtight container to prevent clumping and moisture absorption, and kept in a cool, dry place.

DO EGGS NEED TO BE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE?

The short answer is “no.”  While a side-by-side comparison shows that baking with eggs at room temperature makes a better crumb, it’s not otherwise noticeable.

What are Eggs used for?

Eggs do three things in most recipes: they help bind the ingredients together, act as a mild leavening agent, and they add moisture.

ARE EGGS DAIRY?

No, eggs are not dairy.  Dairy is milk and any food products made from milk, including cheese, cream, butter, and yogurt. 

So, while eggs are an animal product, they are not dairy. In fact, eggs fall under the protein food group.

How to tell if your eggs are still good

Fill a glass with cool water and submerge the eggs.

If the eggs sink to the bottom and lay flat on their side, they’re still fresh.

If they sink, but stand on one end at the bottom of the glass, the eggs are not as fresh but still good.

An egg that floats to the top is likely spoiled.

EGGLESS OPTION

Eggs can be substituted with 1/4 cup of unsweetened apple sauce per egg.  This means that for recipes calling for 2 eggs, you’d need 1/2 cup of unsweetened apple sauce.

The reason applesauce makes a good binder is that it’s high in pectin. Pectin is a naturally occurring starch in fruits and berries that acts as a thickening agent and stabilizer in food.

This happens when combined with sugar and acid (if the fruit or berry isn’t naturally acidic).

Just keep in mind that it may change the flavor slightly.

BAKING SODA VS BAKING POWDER

Both baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents, which means that they help baked goods rise. However, they’re not the same thing and they are not interchangeable.

Using baking soda instead of baking powder can give your recipe a terrible metallic taste, while using baking powder instead of baking soda leaves your baked goods looking flat.

BAKING SODA

When baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) is combined with acidic ingredients and exposed to heat, it causes batter or dough rise and contributes to their light and fluffy texture.

However, baking soda is a versatile ingredient. It can be sprinkled over meat to tenderize it and it can be added to tomato sauce to neutralize the acidity.

Baking soda, when combined with an acid – such as cream of tartar, lemon juice, buttermilk, cocoa, and vinegar – creates carbon dioxide. When the carbon dioxide is released, it causes the familiar texture and crumb in pancakes, cakes, quick breads, soda bread, and other baked and fried foods.

A good rule of thumb is to use around 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 cup of flour.

BAKING POWDER

Baking powder is created by combining baking soda, cream of tartar, and sometimes cornstarch.

Since baking powder already contains an acid, it’s most often used when a recipe does not call for an additional acidic ingredient or calls for too little of one.

There are two types of baking powder. Single-acting baking powder and double-acting baking power.

Single-acting baking powder gets activated only once – when it gets wet.

Most baking powder sold is double-acting. This means that the leavening occurs in two steps.

The first is when the baking powder gets wet, which is why you cannot prepare some batters ahead of time to bake later. The second step is when the baking powder is exposed to heat, which happens when the batter is baked or fried.

A good rule of thumb is to use around 1 teaspoon of baking powder per 1 cup of flour.

WHY SOME RECIPES CALL FOR BOTH

Some recipes use both baking soda and baking powder because they need extra leavening that the baking soda alone cannot provide.

In these cases, baking soda provides an initial lift, while baking powder provides additional rise.

WHICH ONE IS STRONGER?

You may have already guessed the answer since baking soda is used to make baking powder and you need more baking powder per cup of flour. But I’ll tell you anyway.

Baking soda is four times stronger than baking powder. 

That’s why you will, more often than not, see recipes that only call for baking soda rather than recipes that only call for baking powder.

HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?

BAKING SODA

Baking soda is good indefinitely past its best by date, although it can lose potency over time.

A good rule of thumb is two years for an unopened package and six months for an opened package.   

However, to be honest, I’ve used very old baking soda with good results.

BAKING POWDER

Like baking soda, baking powder is good indefinitely past its best by date, and can lose its potency over time. 

For both opened and unopened, it’s ideal to use it within nine months to a year.

While storing it, make sure to keep it in a dry place and away from humidity.

HOW TO TEST IF IT’S STILL GOOD

BAKING POWDER

To test baking powder, pour 3 tablespoons of warm water into a small bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and stir.

If the baking powder is good to use, it should fizz a little.

BAKING SODA

To test baking soda, pour 3 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar into a small bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and stir.  

The mixture should rapidly bubble if the soda is fresh.

GLUTEN FREE OPTION

Gluten Free Flour

Substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour in place of all-purpose regular flour cup for cup.

BUCKWHEAT FLOUR 

Buckwheat flour is easy to find compared to most other gluten-free flours, and it adds a nice earthy nutty taste. 

The downside is that it has a distinct flavor, so the change will be noticeable. 

It’s also darker, so the color won’t be the same. Substitute cup for cup.

RICE FLOUR

Rice flour can also be used and can be found in most Asian and health food stores. 

White rice flour has a mild flavor and doesn’t change the color of the muffin or quick bread. 

Since it doesn’t have much flavor, it’s best to use it with ingredients that do. Substitute cup for cup.

OAT FLOUR

Oat flour is made from whole oats that have been ground into a powder, which can easily be done at home.  

It gives more flavor and a chewier and crumblier texture than regular all-purpose flour.

Substitute 1 cup of all-purpose flour for 1 1/3 cup oat flour.  To make 1 cup of oat flour, blend 1 1/4 cups of oats in a food processor until finely ground.

Note: oats must be marked gluten-free because they can get cross-contaminated in the factory.

BAKING AT HIGH ALTITUDES

The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure and the more difficult it is to bake recipes.

Increase by 15 to 25°F or 8 to 14°C. Since leavening and evaporation happen more quickly, the higher temperature helps set the structure of baked goods before they over-expand and dry out.

However, baking at higher temperatures means products are done sooner, so decrease by 5-8 minutes per 30 minutes of baking time.

Adjustment for 3000 feet

  • Reduce baking powder: for each teaspoon, decrease 1/8 teaspoon.
  • Reduce sugar: for each cup, decrease 0 to 1 tablespoon.
  • Increase liquid: for each cup, add 1 to 2 tablespoons.

Adjustment for 5000 feet

  • Reduce baking powder: for each teaspoon, decrease 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon.
  • Reduce sugar: for each cup, decrease 0 to 2 tablespoons.
  • Increase liquid: for each cup, add 2 to 4 tablespoons.

Adjustment for 7000+ feet

  • Reduce baking powder: for each teaspoon, decrease 1/4 teaspoon.
  • Reduce sugar: for each cup, decrease 1 to 3 tablespoons.
  • Increase liquid: for each cup, add 3 to 4 tablespoons.

Baking with Humidity

Humidity can have a big impact on how your baked goods come out.

This is because when humidity is extremely high (think 70 percent or more), baking ingredients like flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda soak up moisture from the air.

This can negatively impact the outcome of your cakes, cookies, yeast breads, and quick breads.

There are some things you can do to try to save your baking.

Try to counterbalance the additional moisture

To help counterbalance the additional moisture your dry ingredients soak up from the air, try reducing the amount of liquid in the recipe by about one quarter.

If the batter or dough looks too dry once all the ingredients are mixed together, add additional liquid a tablespoon at a time until you have the desired consistency.

This is not usually possible to do for cookies, but it does work for cakes and breads.

Store Ingredients in the Fridge

If flour and sugar are stored in the refrigerator or freezer rather than in a cupboard or pantry, they are better protected from humidity.

As an added benefit, keeping these ingredients cool also helps keep them fresher longer, in addition to helping them stay bug-free.

For the best results, let them warm to room temperature before using.

Bake for Longer

If you bake your goodies for a few extra minutes, it can help the liquid to cook off.

To avoid overbaking, continue testing for doneness every couple of minutes for breads, quick breads, cakes, cupcakes, and muffins.  Cookies, on the other hand, need to be checked every minute.

Use Air Conditioning

To help lower humidity levels on humid summer days, air condition the room for at least an hour before you start baking.

Cooler air isn’t able to hold as much moisture as warm air.

Store your baked goods in an airtight container

Humidity can also ruin your fresh-baked goods because when they are left out, they can absorb moisture.

To avoid this, store them in an airtight container or resealable bag.

Adjusting for a Convection Oven

Convection ovens blow the hot air around, producing around 25 to 30 percent more heat.

Since convection ovens produce more heat, you need either lowering the temperature or shortening the cooking time to compensate.

When recipes specify temperatures and cooking times, it’s for conventional ovens, unless specified otherwise.

A simple rule to follow is to lower the temperature by 25ºF or 14ºC when baking cookies and pies, and 50ºF or 28ºC when roasting meat and poultry. Some convection ovens offer separate settings for baking and for roasting.

You can also leave the temperature the same and instead, shorten the cooking time by 25 percent. For example, if your recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, check the food after 45 minutes instead.

However, keep in mind, some convection ovens actually make a heat adjustment for you. That is, if you set a convection oven for 350ºF, it might actually set itself to 325ºF to compensate. So, check your manual before making adjustments.

How to double the recipe

If you double the recipe you will need a 9 x 13-inch pan. 

The area of a square or rectangular pan is calculated by multiplying one side by the other side. 

This recipe calls for an 8-inch square pan, so an 8 x 8 = 64 square inches where a 9 x 13 = 117 square inches.  If you double the 8 x 8-inch pan it would come out to 128 square inches, which is close enough to 117 square inches.

What’s the difference between Northern Style Cornbread and Southern Style Cornbread?

Northern style cornbread is sweeter and eaten for breakfast. Southern style cornbread on the other hand is a side dish or sometimes a dinner for kids eaten with milk.

TROUBLESHOOTING

WHY IS IT TAKING LONGER THAN DESCRIBED TO BAKE?

Overtime, the thermostat on ovens gets a little off, causing some ovens to run hot and others to run cool.  This is why recipes tend to say things like “10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.”  So, if it takes you longer than expected, that’s fine. Just keep baking until ready.

WHY DID MY RECIPE COME OUT TOO DRY?

Just like some ovens run cool, others run hot.  If your oven runs hot, bake these at a lower temperature.  Ideally, you should get an oven thermometer to know what temperature you’re really baking at.

HOW TO STORE QUICK BREAD

Let the bread cool fully.

Transfer the bread to an airtight container lined with a paper towel.  Place another paper towel on top of the bread before sealing. 

If using a zip-top plastic bag, line both sides of the bag with paper towels and remove as much air as possible before sealing the top of the bag. 

Store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

HOW TO FREEZE QUICK BREAD

Let the bread cool fully.  Wrap in plastic wrap, then place in a resealable freezer bag.

Freeze for up to 3 months.  They will still be safe to eat after 2 to 3 months, but their quality begins to degrade. 

When ready to eat, let thaw at room temperature. To give it a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste and texture, rewarm gently in an oven.

Yield: 9 servings

Sweet Cornbread without Milk

Square sweet cornbread on a plate

This dairy free sweet cornbread is made without milk, without butter, and without buttermilk. Still, it has a wonderful flavor and a subtle sweetness.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal (150 grams)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (128 grams)
  • 2/3 cup white sugar (135 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water (235 milliliters)
  • 2 egg, beaten
  • 1/3 cup oil (80 milliliters)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F or 205°C.
  2. Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  3. Add water, egg, and oil. Mix until well incorporated.
  4. Using a baking spatula, pour into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool before cutting.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 247Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 302mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Janice

Monday 11th of December 2023

I'm very impressed with your tutorial! Not only do I always substitute honey for sugar, (and I am never sure how to compensate for the increased moisture), but I also live at 5000+feet altitude. Interestingly, the decrease in temperature for using honey was cancelled out by the increase of temperature due to elevation, but I was really glad to learn about these compensations. -- Additionally, over the years, I stopped sifting my flour, and what a difference it made when I took the extra time for this recipe! I will be sifting from now on. -- My cornbread turned out perfect! I threw in a few corn kernels and now that I know this is a superior recipe, next time I may add a dash of chili powder as I live in Colorado, and we like a southwest touch . . . which will balance wonderfully with the sweetness of this northern cornbread recipe! - Thank you!

ElissaBeth

Monday 11th of December 2023

I'm very glad you found the information helpful and that you liked the cornbread so much :) Adding chili powder sounds interesting I may try that :)

Sandy

Sunday 22nd of January 2023

I wanted something like a coffee cake, so I replaced the water with oat milk, used Meyer lemon infused olive oil, added the zest of one lemon and a 1/2 teaspon of lemon extract.

Thursday 1st of June 2023

@Sandy, so not cornbread at all??

Jon

Monday 10th of October 2022

I was all out of cornmeal so I substituted masa flour instead, came out great!

ElissaBeth

Thursday 13th of October 2022

I'm glad to hear it :)

Rhonda~

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

I added some corn, shredded cheddar and a few slices of pickled jalepeno I made over the summer and baked it at 350. Lovely and moist. Thank you. I love this recipe!

ElissaBeth

Thursday 17th of February 2022

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them :)

Penny

Monday 20th of December 2021

Mine came out dry. I followed the recipe exactly. Any suggestions for me?

ElissaBeth

Monday 20th of December 2021

The only thing I can think of is that your oven runs hot and is overcooking them.

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