Old-Fashioned Southern Spoon Bread

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 12/06/19
Old-Fashioned Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
The Spruce
  • Total: 45 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: 6 portions (6 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
152 Calories
9g Fat
14g Carbs
5g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 portions (6 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 152
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Sodium 612mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 156mg 12%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 135mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Spoonbread is a custard-like cornbread you scoop with a spoon. It's thought to be of Native American origin, and it became popular around the turn of the century. According to the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, the term was first used in print in 1847.

This is a simple recipe, but feel free add some crumbled bacon or corn kernels to the batter, or add chopped green onions or some fresh chopped chile pepper or herbs.

1:30

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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cornmeal (stone or water ground, if possible)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  3. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or 1 1/2-quart casserole.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  4. Combine cornmeal and salt in a mixing bowl (do not add the baking powder until step 7).

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  5. Gradually add the boiling water while whisking out any lumps. Add the melted butter and stir to blend. Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  6. Whisk the milk into the cornmeal mixture.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  7. In a small bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. 

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  8. Whisk the beaten eggs into the cornmeal mixture along with the baking powder. Blend well with a whisk or electric mixer.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  9. Turn the batter into the prepared baking dish.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  10. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until set and lightly browned.

    Southern Spoon Bread Recipe
    The Spruce

  11. Serve the spoon bread hot with plenty of butter.

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    The Speuce

Recipe Variations

  • Add about 2 cups of cooked to roasted corn kernels to the spoonbread batter.

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