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“This is our favorite cornbread. My husband said not to make any others in the future. It’s awesome at the bottom of a bowl of black bean chili” ~Megan
Cornbread is one of the easiest baking projects imaginable, probably one of the very first recipes most of us learn to make. It’s delicious, and the recipe is so forgiving ~ there are a million ways to change it up. Like my pumpkin cornbread, for instance. A little pumpkin puree, some brown sugar, and a dash of molasses makes it the best cornbread I’ve ever tasted. It’s the perfect side for Thanksgiving, and I can’t even tell you how many fall meals we round out with a batch of this deliciously moist cornbread.
what you’ll need for pumpkin cornbread
- canned pumpkin puree
- Libby’s is the brand I usually buy, it’s consistently good quality. You’ve heard this a million times…but don’t confuse it with canned pumpkin pie filling!
- eggs
- brown sugar
- vegetable oil
- molasses
- corn meal
- flour
- baking powder
- salt
- cardamom and nutmeg
- sub cinnamon for the cardamom if you like.
what type of cornmeal to use
You have lots of leeway here; any type of cornmeal will work for cornbread, just keep in mind the way your choice will affect the final product.
- Fine Cornmeal: Creates a soft, cake-like cornbread with a smooth texture.
- Medium Cornmeal: Results in moist, flavorful cornbread with a slightly grainy texture, striking a balance between tenderness and heartiness.
- Coarse Cornmeal (Polenta or Stone-Ground Cornmeal): Produces rustic, hearty cornbread with a pronounced corn flavor and a satisfying crunch due to larger particles.
Additionally, cornmeal can be white or yellow:
- White Cornmeal: Usually milder in flavor, producing a delicate, lighter-colored cornbread.
- Yellow Cornmeal: produces the classic ‘corny’ flavor and a deeper, golden yellow cornbread.
I love it when a recipe can be laid out in broad strokes
Pumpkin cornbread is the kind of approachable recipe that could easily be memorized.
- Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
- Whisk the wet ingredients together in a larger bowl.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, just until combined.
- Turn into your pan and bake.
To make this recipe ahead for the holidays you can mix the dry and wet separately the night before and bake off the next day. Cornbread cooks quickly, so you could actually bake it while the turkey rests, and bring it to the table hot out of the oven!
what to expect
This is a savory quick bread, meant to be served with meals in the same way you’d use regular cornbread.
The pumpkin gives this cornbread a nice moist texture and subtle flavor.
You won’t get hit over the head with a pumpkin spice vibe, I use just a hint of spice.
pumpkin cornbread tips and faqs
Yes, a 9″ square pan will work fine. If you use a standard 9×5 loaf pan you may need to bake it a little longer to get it cooked through the center.
Yes, just be sure it’s a 9″ size.
Yes, but I recommend draining or cooking down your fresh puree until it has the thick consistency of canned pumpkin, for best results.
Like many cornbread recipes this one does include a bit of sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture and brings out the flavors in this pumpkin cornbread without making it taste overtly sweet.
Yes. While I chose to underplay the pumpkin spice vibe, you could use a pumpkin spice blend to emphasize it.
Yes, use a good quality gf baking mix in place of the wheat flour. Cornmeal is naturally gluten free, but if you’re sensitive make sure yours is produced in a gluten free facility.
Yes, it freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely before wrapping and freezing to avoid condensation.
I use it in the same way I use plain cornbread: with soups and chiles, mostly. But also for when I need an easy quick bread to round out a fall meal like meatloaf, pot roast, or roast chicken, for instance.
Honey or even a hot honey would be nice. You could serve with cranberry butter, pumpkin butter, or apple butter as well.
Pumpkin Cornbread
Equipment
- 9 inch round cake pan or spring form pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cardamom, use cinnamon or ginger if you prefer
- ¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp molasses
- 1/3 cup buttermilk, or milk
Instructions
- Set the oven to 375F
- Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs, pumpkin, oil, molasses, and buttermilk. Make sure it all gets thoroughly combined.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing just until there's no dry flour left.
- Turn into a buttered 9 inch spring form pan, spreading out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for a few minutes in the pan, then remove and serve warm or continue to cool to room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Other cornbread recipes to try
- The Best Blueberry Cornbread
- Hatch Green Chile Cornbread
- Boston Market Style Cornbread Recipe
- Cranberry Cornbread
- Perfect Cornbread Recipe
We are cornbread fans but have never before tried adding pumpkin and the spices to it. The result was easy, quick, and delicious! Will be adding this recipe to our collection, thank you! I used a 10 5/8″ cast iron skillet which is my go-to for cornbread. I also used dark brown sugar which is what I had, but next time I’ll use light brown sugar given molasses is also an ingredient. Using light rather than dark brown sugar would probably have a milder sweetness for this savory cornbread.
I’m curious, given the smaller can of pumpkin is less than 2 cups, have you ever made this recipe with less than one cup of pumpkin puree? I’m wondering what to do with the remainder of the can since a lot of recipes use 1 cup.
Glad you enjoyed this Maret. Great question about the canned pumpkin ~ I think you could make it with half a can (and freeze the other half) if you slightly boost the milk/buttermilk.
Made this and everyone at the dinner party loved it!
Great recipe worked out well, smelt & tasted really good
Glad you loved it, it’s a family favorite here!
Every time I make this I am asked for the recipe. Doesn’t get better than that!
Love it, thanks!
I used Swerve brown sweetener and avocado oil. This was excellent. Not too much in any direction in flavors. It was moist instead of dry sand, but it was not gummy. You are blessed with talent, Jesus loves you.
What a fantastic taste…and aroma! My kitchen smelled wonderful when I made this. I love your website!
Making pumpkin cornbread for Thankgiving…I have self-rising Cornmeal with “Hot Rize”….I have no idea how to use this in your recipe….please help!
I would leave out the baking powder and you should be ok Hanna. Check your package to see if it contains added salt, in which case you might omit the salt in my recipe too. Good luck!