Not too much – not a whole pan. Just enough to enjoy alongside your favorite soup or chili. This, my friends, is that cornbread. Vegan cornbread for two! I was very much raised in a cornbread-loving family. My mom made cornbread all the time, especially with chili, and we always had it with butter and maple syrup. Does it get more American than that? Not much has changed. I still enjoy a hearty bowl of chili with a fat slice of cornbread smothered in the good stuff. Crumbly, sweet, a little sticky from the maple syrup. That’s what dreams are made of. The problem is, I don’t like making a whole pan because someone in this house (hand raised) will eat the whole pan. Solution? Carve it down to just two servings perfect for John and me to enjoy on chili night. Also? Vegan. Also? 10 ingredients. Also? EASY. Party on.
Origins of Cornbread
Cornbread is a hotly debated topic and we don’t claim to be experts on its origin! But based on our research, it seems that the concept may have originated from a Native American dish called cornpone that was made with simple ingredients like cornmeal, water, and salt (source). During the colonial era, cornmeal was an important ingredient and source of sustenance for enslaved individuals. It likely grew in popularity during these times and recipes evolved based on personal preferences and ingredient availability. It’s now popular throughout the US, but is especially associated with Southern cuisine. The following is our plant-based version resembling what we grew up knowing cornbread to taste like! Now, this cornbread is not health food. I’ve tried to make cornbread healthy and it comes out tasting like tar. Nope. Cornbread should be crumbly.It should be sweet.It should be buttery.It should make your mother proud. This is that cornbread.I’m happy to report that this cornbread is the one of my dreams. It’s: PerfectCrumblyTenderMoist with crisp edgesSweetButterySatisfying& delicious slathered in butter and maple syrup (or honey). Friends, it was love at first bite. I know you guys are going to love it, too. If you do, share it, leave a comment, or take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! It’s our favorite way to see what you guys are cooking up. Cheers and happy baking!
