Are y’all ready for moist, homemade cornbread just like Grandma used to make, without the need for a box of Jiffy? This recipe for ‘Quick Fresh Milled Cornbread, Just Like Grandma Made’ captures the comforting taste of Grandma’s kitchen while incorporating healthy, freshly milled cornmeal and whole grain flour.
Why use fresh milled cornmeal?
Fresh milled grain brings out the best in this cornbread recipe for several reasons:
Richer Flavor: It adds a robust, natural sweetness and depth that store-bought flours can’t match.
Superior Texture: Results in a smoother, tender crumb without the grittiness often found in pre-packaged flours.
Nutritional Value: Retains more fiber, protein, and essential nutrients compared to processed flours.
Freshness: Milling your own flour ensures maximum freshness, enhancing the quality and homemade taste of your cornbread.
Using fresh milled whole grain flour elevates your cornbread to a whole new level of flavor, texture, and nutritional goodness—just like Grandma used to make it!

Tools needed to make Grandma’s quick fresh milled cornbread
Cast iron skillet This recipe works great in a 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet. A 9×13 baking dish works as well.
Grain mill Use code LOVELYBELLBAKES20 for $20 off!
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Ingredients for quick fresh milled cornbread, just like grandma made
Fresh milled soft white wheat flour
Fresh milled popping corn
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Sugar or Honey If using honey, add this in with the wet ingredients.
Sour cream I love this recipe equally as much with buttermilk and kefir as well. Feel free to use these in place of the sour cream. Just be sure to reduce the amount to 2/3 cup.
Eggs
Butter
Cream style corn
How to make Grandma’s quick fresh milled cornbread
Mill your popping corn and soft white wheat. Combine the milled flour into a mixing bowl.

To the milled grain, add the dry ingredients. Baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. If using honey, add that in with the wet ingredients in the next step.

Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Sour cream (or buttermilk), eggs, creamed corn, and melted butter. If using honey in place of sugar, add that in now as well.

Allow to rest for 15 minutes while the oven preheats to 400° with the cast iron pan inside. After the pan has been preheating for 12 minutes, add 3 Tbsp of butter to the cast iron pan and allow it to melt in the oven for 3 minutes.
Pour batter into hot skillet. With a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, gently spread the batter evenly in the skillet.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 200° F. Enjoy!

Grandma’s tips for the perfect cornbread
Use the Right Corn: Popping corn works best to get the best texture. You want to mill it somewhere between fine and where you’d typically mill your bread flour.
Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough or dense cornbread.
Preheat the Pan: Preheat your baking pan with a little butter or oil before pouring in the batter. This helps create a crispy crust on the bottom and edges.
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Cornbread can be sweet or savory depending on preference. Adjust the amount of sugar or honey in the recipe to suit your taste.
Avoid Overbaking: Bake until the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Or to an internal temperature of 200° F. Overbaking can dry out the cornbread.
Serve Warm: Cornbread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven or warmed slightly. Serve with butter, honey, or alongside soups and stews for a comforting meal.
Following these tips will help you achieve perfect, delicious home milled cornbread every time, whether you’re baking it for a family dinner or a special occasion.
Different ways to enjoy your whole grain cornbread
With Butter and Honey: Serve warm slices of cornbread with a generous spread of butter and a drizzle of honey. The sweet and savory combination is classic and comforting.
Alongside Soups and Stews: Cornbread makes a hearty addition to soups and stews. Its slightly sweet flavor complements the savory richness of dishes like chili, gumbo, or vegetable soup
As a Side Dish for Barbecue: Cornbread is a barbecue staple. Serve it alongside grilled meats, ribs, or pulled pork for a Southern-inspired meal.
With Breakfast: Enjoy cornbread as part of a hearty breakfast. Serve with butter and jam, or alongside eggs and bacon for a filling start to the day.
In Stuffings and Dressings: Use crumbled cornbread as a base for stuffing or dressing recipes. Its texture and flavor add depth to Thanksgiving turkey stuffing or a holiday meal.
Experiment with these serving ideas to find your favorite way to enjoy cornbread. Whether served sweet or savory, cornbread adds a delicious touch to any meal or occasion.
Share your experience
I’d love to hear about your experience with fresh milled cornbread. Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out for you. Join me in celebrating the simple pleasures of homemade baking and the joy it brings to every table.
Get baking and share the love of cornbread with those who matter most!
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Quick Fresh Milled Cornbread, Just Like Grandma Made
Ingredients
- 220 g Popping corn 1 cup (the is before milling!)
- 110 g Soft white wheat 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp (this is before milling!)
- 2 Tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 Tsp Baking soda
- 7 g Salt 1 & 1/3 Tsp
- 3 Tbsp Sugar 42g (or sugar)
- 1 16oz Can of cream style corn
- 1/2 Cup Butter 113g
- 1 Cup Sour cream (or 2/3 cup buttermilk or Kefir)
- 3 Eggs 150g (Beaten)
Instructions
- Mill your popping corn and soft white wheat. Combine the milled flour into a mixing bowl.
- To the milled grain, add the dry ingredients. Baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. If using honey in place of sugar, add that in with the wet ingredients in the next step.
- Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Sour cream (or buttermilk), eggs, creamed corn, and melted butter. If using honey in place of sugar, add that in now as well.
- Allow to rest for 15 minutes while the oven preheats to 400° with the cast iron pan inside. After the pan has been preheating for 12 minutes, add 3 Tbsp of butter to the cast iron pan and allow it to melt in the oven for 3 minutes.
- Pour batter into hot skillet. With a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, gently spread the batter evenly in the skillet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 200° F. Enjoy!
This recipe was SO GOOD!
Best cornbread I’ve ever had! Question tho. If I wanted to make this ahead? Could I freeze this after baking and cooled?
Hi Erika,
Yes. Cool completely and then freeze. Thaw at room temperature when ready.
Hi. Have you tried this recipe without the creamed corn?