Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cornmeal (enriched and degermed; Albers brand recommended)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Wet Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons butter, melted and divided (10 tablespoons plus 2 tablespoons for greasing)
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Set out the buttermilk and egg to reach room temperature for better mixing and texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Melt Butter: Melt 10 tablespoons of butter in the microwave and let it cool to room temperature to avoid cooking the egg or curdling the mixture when combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Stir well to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, honey, and brown sugar until smooth. Gradually drizzle in the cooled melted butter while whisking continuously, then whisk for another 1 to 2 minutes until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and use a pastry brush to coat the entire inside of each muffin cavity, including sides and bottom, to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cavities, filling each about 3/4 full. The batter should fill all 12 cavities.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 19 to 23 minutes. Check for doneness by looking for lightly browned edges and testing with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Carefully remove each muffin with a fork or spoon and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Handle gently as these muffins are tender and delicate.
Notes
- Ensure the buttermilk and egg are at room temperature to create a smooth batter and prevent curdling.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and tender.
- If you don’t have cornstarch, you can omit it, but it helps to achieve a better crumb texture.
- Butter can be substituted with a neutral oil if preferred, but butter adds richness and flavor.
- These muffins are best served warm but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian