Sweet Cornbread

This past weekend, I was reminded of just how much I love cornbread after having a pie-slice piece at a restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  I've always been a big fan of cornbread during the holidays, especially when it's served warm with a honey drizzle.  (In fact, this is one of my *favorite* baked goods to top with some honey.) 

There are a lot of different ways to make cornbread (sometimes sweeter, sometimes saltier, and sometimes with a jalapeno or two).  This version is a sweet one on its own, but I've paired it with an orange blossom & honey butter.  Yum!  With the honey-infused butter spread over this golden-colored bread, I'd like to give you the Jesus & Mary Chain's 1985 classic "Just Like Honey"--a perfect cornbread topping.

Cornbread Ingredients:

--1/2 c. all-purpose flour

--1/2 c. wheat flour

--1 c. yellow cornmeal

--2 tsp. baking powder

--1/2 tsp. cinnamon

--dash of salt

--1/2 c. turbinado sugar ("sugar in the raw")

--1/2 c. milk (I used almond milk, but you can use whatever you prefer--whole milk always makes breads a bit richer)

--1/4 c. canola oil

--1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce (this makes it a bit healthier than using oil as the only binding ingredient, and you *really* won't be able to taste a difference!)

--1 large egg

--1 16 oz. can yellow corn, drained (you could also use fresh corn if it's in season)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, canola oil, applesauce, egg, and drained corn.  In a separate bowl, combine the flours, cornmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.  Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, blending *just* until the dry ingredients are moistened (you don't want to over-mix!).  Butter and flour a 10" pie pan, pour the batter in, and bake for approx. 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is just slightly golden on top and a cake tester comes out clean.  

Allow to cool, and cut into 8 pie slices.   Now make the butter spread (it won't be a dessert without it!). 

 Orange Blossom & Honey Butter:

--1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

--1 tsp. orange blossom water

--2 tbsp. honey

--1 tsp. vanilla

Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients until blended and fluffy.  Spread over cornbread slices and serve warm.