The batter is a straightforward cornmeal and flour mix bound with buttermilk, eggs, honey and melted butter, stirred just until combined.
It bakes in a 24-cup mini-muffin pan for 10 to 12 minutes, and the warm poppers are brushed with honey butter until glossy. They are bites, not pan-cut squares.
Why This Recipe Works
- Stirring just until combined keeps the crumb tender.
- A hot 400°F oven sets the small muffins quickly.
- Brushing while warm lets the honey butter soak into the tops.
- Mini muffins give more crust per bite than a pan-cut square.
Three Small Checks
Little muffins move fast.
Mixing
Stirred only until combined.
Overmixing makes cornbread tough.
10 to 12 minutes
Golden with a clean tester.
Mini muffins overbake quickly.
Straight from the oven
Brushed with honey butter while warm.
Warm poppers absorb the glaze.
How to Make It
Pan greased
Heat the oven to 400°F and grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan.
Batter mixed
Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl whisk the buttermilk, eggs, 1/3 cup honey and melted butter. Stir wet into dry just until combined.
Baked
Divide the batter among the mini-muffin cups and bake 10 to 12 minutes, until golden and a tester comes out clean.
Brushed
Mix the softened butter with 2 tablespoons honey and brush the warm cornbread poppers generously so the tops become glossy.
Ingredient Notes
- Cornmeal
- One cup yellow cornmeal with one cup flour.
- Honey
- A third of a cup in the batter and two tablespoons in the finishing butter.
- Buttermilk
- One cup.
Success Tips
- Grease every cup well; cornbread sticks.
- Fill the cups about three-quarters full for domed tops.
- Brush the honey butter on twice for a glossier finish.
Serving Ideas
Pile the warm poppers on a plate and serve while the honey butter is still glossy.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Store airtight at room temperature 2 days or refrigerate 4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a pan of cornbread?
No, it bakes as 24 mini-muffin poppers.
When does the honey butter go on?
While the poppers are still warm, straight from the oven.
