HONEY CORNMEAL YEAST BREAD RECIPE | SWEET HOMEMADE BREAD

Jump to Recipe

This Honey Cornmeal Yeast Bread Recipe is soft, slightly sweet, buttery, golden brown, and packed with cozy flavor in every slice. The cornmeal adds the perfect texture while honey gives it that warm, homemade sweetness that makes your kitchen smell absolutely incredible. Whether you’re serving it with soup, using it as sandwich bread, or slathering it with butter fresh from the oven, this easy homemade yeast cornbread recipe feels like comfort food at its best.

Looking for easy camping meals, Florida-inspired meals, desserts, etc? We think you’ll love PINA COLADA FRENCH TOAST | EASY CAMPING BREAKFAST RECIPE, GOOEY S’MORES BAR | EASY SUMMER CAMPING DESSERT, and CROCKPOT MOJO PORK | EASY CAMPING DINNER RECIPE!

sliced homemade cornmeal bread with butter

I.LOVE.TOAST. Any good recipe involving homemade bread, like this Cranberry Walnut Artisan Bread, and my belly does a happy dance. Seriously. Breakfast, lunch, dinner…middle of the night…So imagine my delight when we discovered this gorgeous golden loaf of happiness!

Our easy cornmeal bread recipe is just like its Southern cornbread sister, pure PERFECTION and one of those recipes that has been passed down for generations.

The best part of this super-simple recipe is that it can be made ahead and enjoyed later! It’s a GREAT WAY to start your morning or bring along on your next camping adventure.

Table of Contents

OUR LATEST VIDEO

WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS COZY HOMEMADE BREAD RECIPE:

Soft and comforting: This honey cornmeal bread has a tender texture with just the right amount of hearty cornmeal flavor.

Sweet-and-savory balance: The honey adds natural sweetness that perfectly complements the buttery homemade bread flavor.

Easy homemade bread: This beginner-friendly yeast bread recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and easy step-by-step instructions.

Cozy and customizable: A perfect bread that is delicious as written or easy to adapt with herbs, cheeses, or mix-ins for different flavor variations.

Perfect for any occasion: Serve this sweet cornmeal bread with soups, holiday meals, breakfast spreads, or warm with butter straight from the oven. ( Our favorite way to eat it!)

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Beginner Yeast Bread Recipe:

ingredients for honey cornmeal bread recipe

INGREDIENT NOTES
Cornmeal:

Cornmeal: The star of this homemade bread recipe! Yellow Cornmeal
gives the loaf its slightly hearty texture and adds a subtle sweet corn flavor
that makes every slice extra cozy.

Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create that soft, tender texture. Raw honey or local orange blossom honey gives the best flavor in this sweet homemade bread recipe.

Active Dry Yeast: Helps the bread dough rise beautifully and creates that fluffy, bakery-style texture. Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best results.

All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure while keeping the bread soft and light. Bread flour can also be used for a slightly chewier loaf.

Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, flavorful crumb. Melted butter also gives the crisp crust that irresistible homemade finish.

HULASQUATCH’S TOP TIP:
Make a double batch of this honey cornmeal bread
and freeze one loaf, so you always have homemade bread ready for soups, camping trips, or easy weeknight dinners.

HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY SWEET HOMEMADE BREAD STEP-BY-STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the printable recipe card below!

Step 1: Activate the yeast: Warm the milk and honey until slightly warm, then stir in the active dry yeast and let the yeast mixture sit until foamy, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 2: Make the dough: Mix in the cornmeal, butter, salt, and flour until a soft dough forms. Knead in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook or by hand until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a greased large bowl, cover with a clean tea towel, and let rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. (35-40 minutes) Shape into two loaves, place in cornmeal-dusted pie pans, and let them rise again until puffy. (30-40 minutes)

Step 4: Bake and serve: Bake until golden brown, brush the top of the loaf with melted butter, and let cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.

RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST HONEY CORNMEAL BREAD

Use warm – not hot – milk to avoid killing the yeast and help the dough have its first rise properly.

Let the bread cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing so the texture sets and stays soft inside.

For extra flavor, brush the top with melted butter right after baking.

Don’t rush the rise time – giving the dough enough time to double creates the best soft texture.

PRO TIP:
Warm, toasted slices in the oven with a little butter and a drizzle of orange blossom honey for the ultimate cozy, homemade treat.

honey cornmeal yeast bread fresh from oven

STORAGE & SHELF LIFE

Storage: Store homemade bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Shelf Life: Freeze sliced bread in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Serving: Warm slices before serving for the best texture and flavor.

VARIATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS

FLAVOR VARIATIONS:

Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage for a cozy, savory flavor twist.

Mix in shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese for a richer, more savory homemade bread.

Add cinnamon, dried cranberries, or chopped pecans for a sweeter fall-inspired variation.

Stir in diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a sweet-and-spicy flavor boost.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Swap honey for maple syrup for a different natural sweetness flavor.

Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for a slightly chewier texture.

Replace butter with olive oil for a lighter homemade bread variation.

Use dairy-free milk and plant-based butter for a dairy-free version that still bakes up soft and delicious.

FAQ’s ABOUT THIS HONEY CORNMEAL YEAST BREAD RECIPE:

WHAT DOES CORNMEAL DO IN BREAD?

Cornmeal adds texture, flavor, and a slightly hearty bite that makes homemade bread extra cozy and flavorful.

IS THIS BREAD SWEET?

This bread has a mild sweetness from the honey but still works beautifully as a savory side dish.

CAN I FREEZE HOMEMADE YEAST BREAD?

Yes! Let the bread cool completely, slice if desired, and freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag.

WHY DID MY YEAST BREAD NOT RISE?

Usually this happens if the milk was too hot or the yeast was expired. Always use warm liquids and fresh yeast for the best results.

CAN I MAKE THIS BREAD WITHOUT A STAND MIXER?

Absolutely! This dough can easily be mixed and kneaded by hand.

WHAT IS THE BEST FLOUR FOR HOMEMADE BREAD?

All-purpose flour works great, but bread flour gives a slightly chewier texture.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THIS ARTISAN CORNMEAL YEAST BREAD?

This easy honey yeasted cornbread recipe is amazing with our Florida Fall Harvest Salad (With Sunshine Vinaigrette), but also pairs well with cozy soups and stews, chili nights, breakfast with butter and jam, camping meals, charcuterie boards, the perfect Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving spread, & of course, THIS delicious Baked Beans with Ground Beef recipe from our Friends over at Little Chef Within (YES please)!

MORE EASY RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

sliced homemade cornmeal bread with butter PINTEREST PIN

We hope you love this HONEY CORNMEAL YEAST BREAD RECIPE | SWEET HOMEMADE BREAD. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so we know how you liked it. Enjoy &

HAPPY WANDERING!

Nutrition is only an estimate based on the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator.

This blog post contains affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission if purchased. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an Amazon Associate affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Thank you for being so supportive as I continue to create quality content. You can read our full disclosure here and privacy policy here.

HONEY CORNMEAL YEAST BREAD RECIPE | SWEET HOMEMADE BREAD

Yield: 2 large (about 2 1/2- pound) loaves

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

This Honey Cornmeal Yeast Bread Recipe is soft, slightly sweet, buttery, golden brown, and packed with cozy flavor in every slice. The cornmeal adds the perfect texture while honey gives it that warm, homemade sweetness that makes your kitchen smell absolutely incredible. Whether you’re serving it with soup, using it as sandwich bread, or slathering it with butter fresh from the oven, this easy homemade yeast cornbread recipe feels like comfort food at its best.

Ingredients

3 cups whole milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
2 packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
4 cups cornmeal
4 to 6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Instructions

Place the milk, butter, honey, and salt in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat, and heat until the butter has melted. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water in a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Once the milk mixture has cooled to lukewarm, combine it with the yeast mixture.
Mix in the cornmeal. Then add the flour, about 1 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is too stiff to mix with a spoon or with a mixer. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, knead it several times, and let it sit, loosely covered with a towel, for 15 minutes.
Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes ( I like to use the dough hook of my stand mixer for this step), adding more flour if necessary to keep it from sticking to your hands. Don't use more than 6 cups of flour; the dough should be soft, not firm.
Place the dough in a bowl, cover loosely with a damp towel or a plate, and let rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
Heavily flour two 10-inch metal or ceramic pie plates.
Punch down the dough, divide it in half, and shape each half into a round ball. Place the balls, seem side down, in the prepared pie plates, pressing down gently so the dough fills the pan. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot until nearly doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Using a sharp knife or bread lame, make several slashes in the top of each loaf. Bake in the center of the oven until the loaves are golden and sound hollow when tapped sharply with a finger, about 35 minutes.

Notes

STORAGE & SHELF LIFE

Storage: Store homemade bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Shelf Life: Freeze sliced bread in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Serving: Warm slices before serving for the best texture and flavor