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    Home » Recipes » Soul Food Classics

    Sweet Potato Cornbread

    Published: Oct 17, 2022 · Modified: Nov 9, 2022 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    overhead view of sweet potato cornbread topped with butter in cast iron skillet
    finished sweet potato cornbread in cast iron skillet topped with butter

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This Sweet Potato Cornbread is the perfect blend of classic cornbread with mashed sweet potato and brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tender, flavorful, and great to pair with any meal.

    A recipe for sweet potato cornbread pairs really well with so many dishes including a pot of Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes or Sweet and Sour Cabbage. Also for a more classic cornbread recipe, then be sure to try making some Southern Cornbread as well.

    overhead view of finished cornbread topped with butter in cast iron skillet

    Listen, cornbread is a great compliment to so many meals. It can be savory, sweet, fried, fluffy like cake, or even come from a box. There are just so many options.

    I love to pair cornbread with anything from soups and stew, to comforting pot roast, and side dishes. However, my favorite way to enjoy it is with a large batch of some hearty chili or to absorb the liquid or pot likker from greens or green beans.

    No matter how it's served, it must be served warm fresh from the oven with a slather of butter. YUM!

    But today, I'll be sharing an easy recipe for sweet potato cornbread that is slightly sweet but still contains everything that you adore about regular homemade cornbread.

    Let's get started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Recipe Tips & Tricks
    • Storage
    • 📖 Recipe
    • More Recipes You'll Love

    Ingredients You'll Need

    ingredients needed to make cornbread in separate bowls and glass measuring cups
    1. Sweet Potato - Use clean, cooked, and mashed sweet potato puree. I prefer to make a batch of Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes before beginning the recipe and scoop out the roasted sweet potato for a flavor that is rich and sweet.
    2. All-Purpose Flour - Plain all-purpose flour is needed to make the cornbread tender. Gluten-free flour can be substituted if needed.
    3. Cornmeal - Fine yellow cornmeal works well in this recipe to give the cornbread a nice texture and thickness.
    4. Brown Sugar - Adds a slight sweetness to the cornbread and pairs well with the sweet potato and warm spices used in this recipe. You may use tightly packed light or dark brown sugar, whichever you prefer or have available.
    5. Baking Powder - Be sure to check the date on the package to make sure that it has not expired. This ingredient will be mixed in with the rest of the dry ingredients to act as a leavening agent for the cornbread.
    6. Ground Cinnamon - Adds a small amount of spice to the bread and pairs well to bring a bit of warm flavor to the bread.
    7. Ground Nutmeg - Provides a small amount of nutty flavor and spice to the bread.
    8. Salt - For baking, I prefer to use kosher salt. This keeps the bread from tasting flat and helps to balance all of the flavors together.
    9. Butter - Allow the butter to come to room temperature before cutting into the dry ingredient mixture to create a coarse meal texture. You may use salted or unsalted butter.
    10. Egg - One large whole egg is needed for this recipe. It helps to bind the cornbread ingredients together.
    11. Buttermilk - Try not to substitute this ingredient if possible. It helps to keep the cornbread moist and tender.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredients and quantities.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Begin the recipe by preparing the sweet potatoes. Clean the skin/outside of the sweet potatoes and slice them in half before placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to roast them in the oven at 400 degrees F. for about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and scoop out the sweet potato and mash the amount that you need for the recipe.

    Begin preparing the cornbread recipe by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. and place a cast iron skillet with a tablespoon of oil in it inside the oven to heat while you prepare the cornbread.

    In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until combined. Add in the room temperature butter and combine using your hands or a pastry cutter until it resembles a coarse meal. Set aside.

    dry ingredients combined with butter in large glass mixing bowl

    In a separate medium-size bowl, stir together the cooked and mashed sweet potato, large egg, and buttermilk until combined.

    sweet potato, buttermilk, and egg combined in white mixing bowl

    Make a well/hole in the center of the flour mixture and add in the sweet potato mixture. Stir until combined, the mixture will be lumpy and thick.

    all ingredients combined in large glass mixing bowl to make cornbread

    Carefully remove the cast iron skillet from the oven and add in the cornbread mixture. Spread it around evenly in the skillet before adding back into the oven to bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the edge has lightly browned.

    cornbread mixture added to cast iron skillet

    Carefully remove the sweet potato cornbread from the oven and allow it to cool in the cast iron skillet for about 10 minutes before serving it with butter. Enjoy!

    overhead view of sweet potato cornbread topped with butter in cast iron skillet

    Recipe Tips & Tricks

    • If you prefer not to use a cast iron skillet, then use a regular square baking dish and omit the ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil. Lightly spray with cooking spray instead and no need to heat the baking dish before adding the cornbread mixture.
    • Try not to overmix the cornbread mixture. Stir it just enough to combine the ingredients and stop. Overmixing may result in tough cornbread.
    • This recipe requires buttermilk for the best cornbread recipe. Try not to substitute it with anything else.
    • Use salted or unsalted butter and light or dark brown sugar, either will work.
    • Serve with additional butter while it is still warm for the best results.

    Storage

    Allow the cornbread to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Allow it to come to room temperature or reheat it in the microwave or in the oven on low heat for a few minutes before serving.

    This cornbread may also be stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. The day before serving allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    📖 Recipe

    finished sweet potato cornbread in cast iron skillet topped with butter

    Sweet Potato Cornbread

    LaKita Anderson
    This Sweet Potato Cornbread is the perfect blend of classic cornbread with mashed sweet potato and brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tender, flavorful, and great to pair with any meal.
    5 from 11 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 40 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Resting Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Bread
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 287 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 cast iron skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups sweet potato, cooked and mashed
    • ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 3 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup butter, room temperature
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup buttermilk

    Instructions
     

    • Begin the recipe by preparing the sweet potatoes. Clean the skin/outside of the sweet potatoes and slice them in half before placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to roast them in the oven at 400 degrees F. for about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and scoop out the sweet potato and mash the 1 ½ cups that you need for the recipe.
    • Begin preparing the cornbread recipe by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. and place a cast iron skillet with ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil in it inside the oven to heat while you prepare the cornbread.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup yellow cornmeal, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon salt until combined.
    • Add in the ¼ cup room temperature butter and combine using your hands or a pastry cutter until it resembles a coarse meal. Set aside.
    • In a separate medium-size bowl, stir together the prepared 1 ½ cups sweet potato, 1 large egg, and 1 cup buttermilk until combined.
    • Make a well/hole in the center of the flour mixture and add in the sweet potato mixture. Stir until combined, the mixture will be lumpy and thick.
    • Carefully remove the cast iron skillet from the oven and add in the cornbread mixture. Swirl the skillet around to make sure the hot oil evenly covers the bottom. Spread the cornbread mixture around evenly in the skillet before adding back into the oven to bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the edge has lightly browned.
    • Carefully remove the sweet potato cornbread from the oven and allow it to cool in the cast iron skillet for about 10 minutes before serving it with butter. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If you prefer not to use a cast iron skillet, then use a regular square baking dish and omit the ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil. Lightly spray with cooking spray instead and no need to heat the baking dish before adding the cornbread mixture.
    • Try not to overmix the cornbread mixture. Stir it just enough to combine the ingredients and stop. Overmixing may result in tough cornbread.
    • This recipe requires buttermilk for the best cornbread recipe. Try not to substitute it with anything else.
    • Use salted or unsalted butter and light or dark brown sugar, either will work.
    • Serve with additional butter while it is still warm for the best results.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 542mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 10350IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 2mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword sweet potato cornbread
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @SimplyLaKita on Instagram with #SimplyLaKita
    close up side view of a slice of cornbread on a white plate

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    Have any comments, questions, or other ideas for this Sweet Potato Cornbread Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tristin

      October 23, 2022 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great way to squeeze in more "vegetables." This recipe is definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 24, 2022 at 11:15 am

        Thank you Tristin, I completely agree 🙂

        Reply
    2. Healing Tomato

      October 23, 2022 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      Cornbread with sweet potatoes is such a good idea! I had never made it your way. It turned out even better than I thought. Delicious!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 24, 2022 at 11:15 am

        Thank you so much, happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Ashley

      October 23, 2022 at 1:41 am

      5 stars
      I've never thought to add sweet potato to cornbread, but I bet this adds lovely flavor and texture to it!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 24, 2022 at 11:15 am

        Thank you Ashley, it really does!!

        Reply
    4. Erin

      October 22, 2022 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      I tried this out for Thanksgiving and will be making it again for the holidays! Thanks so much for this great cornbread recipe. 🙂

      Reply
    5. veenaazmanov

      October 20, 2022 at 11:37 am

      Bursting with all the spice flavors and healthier combination. Definitely healthy for any meal.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 20, 2022 at 3:51 pm

        Thank you so much, glad to hear you enjoyed the cornbread recipe!

        Reply
    6. Enri Lemoine

      October 20, 2022 at 6:36 am

      5 stars
      Yum, yum, yum. I'm a sweet potato girl, and I love cornbread, so you got me with this wonderful combo. Why it didn't occur to me? I made and all I have to say is: this is cornbread taken to the next level!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 20, 2022 at 3:51 pm

        Thank you Enri! It's such a great combination, right!

        Reply
    7. Amy Liu Dong

      October 19, 2022 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy to make this bread is, and my kids love it.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 20, 2022 at 3:50 pm

        Thank you so much Amy, happy to hear it's kid approved!

        Reply
    8. Linda

      October 19, 2022 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      I might never make plain ole cornbread again! You combined my love of sweet potatoes with my husband's favorite cornbread and wowed the whole family. Definitely a recipe I will make again and again.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 20, 2022 at 3:50 pm

        Thank you so much Linda. Happy to hear the cornbread was a success with you and your family!

        Reply
    9. Veronika

      October 18, 2022 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      We love cooking with sweet potatoes so I'm so excited to try this cornbread! It looks amazing, such a great idea!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 20, 2022 at 3:49 pm

        Thank you Veronika! This is a great recipe to use those sweet potatoes in 🙂

        Reply
    10. Heather

      October 18, 2022 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      Oh I love some homemade cornbread! And what a great way to use up a leftover sweet potato. Can't wait to try!!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        October 18, 2022 at 2:13 pm

        Thank you Heather, such a great way to use leftovers!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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