Cornbread Lab · Decision tree
Find your cornbread
Three questions sort all 250 recipes into 8 groups. Each question is about one of the ingredients recipes disagree on most, and splits the recipes in front of it at their own median, so each answer keeps about half of them. Every group ends with its median recipe in grams and the real recipes nearest it.
The questions
Question 1
More sugar than most, or less?
The line between Southern (little or none) and Northern (sweet and cakey) cornbread.
All 250 recipes: median 21% of the flour weight, 55 g per 250 g of flour; middle half 10% to 42%; 7% use none.
Question 2
More fat than most, or less?
Butter or bacon fat, often heated in the skillet first for a crisp crust.
All 250 recipes: median 29% of the flour weight, 75 g per 250 g of flour; middle half 21% to 43%.
Asked within each answer to question 1, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
Question 3
More leavening than most, or less?
Baking powder, plus soda when there is buttermilk.
All 250 recipes: median 4.1% of the flour weight, 10 g per 250 g of flour; middle half 3% to 5.2%.
Asked within each answer to question 2, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
The key
Read left to right: pick an answer to question 1, then one of the answers beside it for question 2, and so on to a group. Each cell gives the answer, its bound in grams per 100 g of flour, and how many recipes give it.
| 1. Sugar | 2. Fat | 3. Leavening | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreover 21%125 | More43% or more60 | More4.6% or more30 | A30 |
| Lessunder 4.6%30 | B30 | ||
| Lessunder 43%65 | More4.5% or more33 | C33 | |
| Lessunder 4.5%32 | D32 | ||
| Less21% or less125 | Moreover 24%62 | More3.9% or more31 | E31 |
| Lessunder 3.9%31 | F31 | ||
| Less24% or less63 | Moreover 3.6%31 | G31 | |
| Less3.6% or less32 | H32 |
The 8 groups
Each median recipe is the median of every ingredient over the group's recipes, scaled to 250 g of flour, beside the typical pan of all 250. Bold rows are the ingredients the questions asked about.
Group A · 30 recipes · 12% of all
More sugar, more fat and more leavening
Sugar over 21%, fat 43% or more and leavening 4.6% or more of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group A | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 120 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 235 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 110 gabout 1/2 cup | 75 g |
| Sugar | 115 gabout 1/2 cup | 55 g |
| Egg | 95 gabout 2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 13 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 4 g | 3.5 g |
Bake375°F (190°C) for about 26 minutes, the medians of the 29 recipes here that state a temperature and the 28 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group A
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Butter Pecan Cornbread · theviewfromgreatisland.comsugar 42% · fat 44% · leavening 4.7%
- Cranberry Cornbread · theviewfromgreatisland.comsugar 39% · fat 44% · leavening 4.7%
- Perfect Classic Cornbread · theviewfromgreatisland.comsugar 39% · fat 44% · leavening 4.7%
- Jalapeno Cornbread · sugarspunrun.comsugar 46% · fat 50% · leavening 6%
- Cornbread · onceuponachef.comsugar 45% · fat 44% · leavening 5.3%
Group B · 30 recipes · 12% of all
More sugar, more fat and less leavening
Sugar over 21%, fat 43% or more and leavening under 4.6% of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group B | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 130 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 230 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 115 gabout 1/2 cup | 75 g |
| Sugar | 115 gabout 1/2 cup | 55 g |
| Egg | 95 gabout 2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 8 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 3 g | 3.5 g |
Bake365°F (185°C) for about 26 minutes, the medians of the 26 recipes here that state a temperature and the 30 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group B
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Easy Buttermilk Cornbread · cafedelites.comsugar 53% · fat 43% · leavening 2.9%
- The BEST Cornbread · chefsavvy.comsugar 65% · fat 43% · leavening 2.9%
- Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread · pipingpotcurry.comsugar 37% · fat 44% · leavening 2.9%
- Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe · sugarspunrun.comsugar 46% · fat 49% · leavening 4%
- Blueberry Cornbread · theviewfromgreatisland.comsugar 44% · fat 45% · leavening 1.2%
Group C · 33 recipes · 13% of all
More sugar, less fat and more leavening
Sugar over 21%, fat under 43% and leavening 4.5% or more of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group C | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 130 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 230 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 70 gabout 1/3 cup | 75 g |
| Sugar | 80 gabout 1/3 cup | 55 g |
| Egg | 95 gabout 2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 13 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 3 g | 3.5 g |
Bake400°F (205°C) for about 23 minutes, the medians of the 32 recipes here that state a temperature and the 32 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group C
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Easy Cornbread · twopeasandtheirpod.comsugar 25% · fat 32% · leavening 4.9%
- Gemma's Best Ever Corn Bread Recipe · biggerbolderbaking.comsugar 29% · fat 23% · leavening 5.6%
- Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread · twopeasandtheirpod.comsugar 25% · fat 32% · leavening 4.9%
- Maple Cornbread · kingarthurbaking.comsugar 26% · fat 21% · leavening 5%
- Honey Jalapeño Cornbread · theviewfromgreatisland.comsugar 51% · fat 22% · leavening 5.2%
Group D · 32 recipes · 12% of all
More sugar, less fat and less leavening
Sugar over 21%, fat under 43% and leavening under 4.5% of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group D | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 125 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 215 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 60 gabout 1/4 cup | 75 g |
| Sugar | 95 gabout 1/2 cup | 55 g |
| Egg | 75 gabout 1 1/2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 8 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 2.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake375°F (190°C) for about 28 minutes, the medians of the 29 recipes here that state a temperature and the 32 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group D
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Bacon Cornbread Recipe · plainchicken.comsugar 38% · fat 22% · leavening 3.8%
- Homemade Cornbread Recipe · livewellbakeoften.comsugar 48% · fat 21% · leavening 2.7%
- Cornbread Muffins · livewellbakeoften.comsugar 49% · fat 22% · leavening 2.8%
- Gluten-Free Cornbread · kingarthurbaking.comsugar 22% · fat 15% · leavening 3.4%
- Cornbread Muffins · melskitchencafe.comsugar 39% · fat 29% · leavening 3.3%
Group E · 31 recipes · 12% of all
Less sugar, more fat and more leavening
Sugar 21% or less, fat over 24% and leavening 3.9% or more of the flour weight. 8 of the 31 use no sugar.
| At 250 g flour | Group E | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 145 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 305 gabout 1 1/4 cups | 230 g |
| Fat | 90 gabout 1/3 cup | 75 g |
| Sugar | 32 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 55 g |
| Egg | 95 gabout 2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 13 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 4.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake400°F (205°C) for about 27 minutes, the medians of the 26 recipes here that state a temperature and the 30 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group E
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Sourdough Cornbread from Discard · savorthebest.comsugar 7.9% · fat 36% · leavening 5.3%
- Mexican Cornbread · acouplecooks.comsugar 14% · fat 32% · leavening 5.8%
- Easy Skillet Cornbread · acouplecooks.comsugar 13% · fat 29% · leavening 5.1%
- Best Cornbread Recipe · thesaltymarshmallow.comsugar 19% · fat 43% · leavening 4.6%
- Cracklin’ Cornbread · tasteofhome.comsugar 19% · fat 43% · leavening 5.2%
Group F · 31 recipes · 12% of all
Less sugar, more fat and less leavening
Sugar 21% or less, fat over 24% and leavening under 3.9% of the flour weight. 4 of the 31 use no sugar.
| At 250 g flour | Group F | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 135 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 230 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 90 gabout 1/3 cup | 75 g |
| Sugar | 28 gabout 2 tbsp | 55 g |
| Egg | 80 gabout 1 1/2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 7 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 3.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes, the medians of the 27 recipes here that state a temperature and the 31 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group F
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Mexican Cornbread · africanbites.comsugar 18% · fat 40% · leavening 2.8%
- Maisbrot (Cornbread) · backenmachtgluecklich.desugar 20% · fat 28% · leavening 3.4%
- Cornbread - Amerikanisches Maisbrot · gutekueche.atsugar 10% · fat 41% · leavening 3.1%
- Jalapeno Cornbread · spendwithpennies.comsugar 19% · fat 29% · leavening 3.8%
- Masa Cornbread · tasteofhome.comsugar 14% · fat 31% · leavening 3.8%
Group G · 31 recipes · 12% of all
Less sugar, less fat and more leavening
Sugar 21% or less, fat 24% or less and leavening over 3.6% of the flour weight. 2 of the 31 use no sugar.
| At 250 g flour | Group G | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 130 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 230 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 46 gabout 3 1/2 tbsp | 75 g |
| Sugar | 31 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 55 g |
| Egg | 85 gabout 1 1/2 large eggs | 85 g |
| Leavening | 12 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 3 g | 3.5 g |
Bake400°F (205°C) for about 26 minutes, the medians of the 27 recipes here that state a temperature and the 30 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group G
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Cornbread (pain de maïs) · cuisineaz.comsugar 8.6% · fat 14% · leavening 4.8%
- Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Recipe · shugarysweets.comsugar 17% · fat 19% · leavening 4.7%
- Corn Bread · simplytrinicooking.comsugar 19% · fat 22% · leavening 4.4%
- Cheesy Skillet Cornbread · handletheheat.comsugar 10% · fat 10% · leavening 4.4%
- Maisbrot · ichkoche.atsugar 14% · fat 9.1% · leavening 4.6%
Group H · 32 recipes · 12% of all
Less sugar, less fat and less leavening
Sugar 21% or less, fat 24% or less and leavening 3.6% or less of the flour weight. 4 of the 32 use no sugar.
| At 250 g flour | Group H | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| of which cornmeal | 150 g | 130 g |
| Buttermilk | 245 gabout 1 cup | 230 g |
| Fat | 37 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 75 g |
| Sugar | 18 gabout 1 1/2 tbsp | 55 g |
| Egg | 60 gabout 1 large egg | 85 g |
| Leavening | 7 g | 10 g |
| Salt | 3.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake400°F (205°C) for about 28 minutes, the medians of the 29 recipes here that state a temperature and the 29 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group H
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Instant Pot Cornbread · recipesfromapantry.comsugar 7.4% · fat 14% · leavening 2.3%
- Sweet Chipotle Skillet Cornbread · mexicanplease.comsugar 7.5% · fat 13% · leavening 2.3%
- Hatch Green Chile Cornbread · mexicanplease.comsugar 8.9% · fat 10% · leavening 2.2%
- Masa Harina Cornbread · mexicanplease.comsugar 8.9% · fat 10% · leavening 2.2%
- Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread · savingdessert.comsugar 8.7% · fat 19% · leavening 3.2%
How the questions are chosen
Each ingredient is ranked by how much recipes disagree on it: the width of the middle half of recipes (25th to 75th percentile) divided by the median, less 4% for each place it sits down this lab's list of ingredients, so the ones that define the dish win near ties. For cornbread the order is sugar (1.53), fat (0.76), leavening (0.54), buttermilk (0.41), egg (0.39) and cornmeal share (0.27), and the first 3 are asked. Salt is never asked about: recipes differ on it mostly by brand and taste.
Every split is at the median of the recipes in front of it, rounded to the percentage shown. Recipes exactly at the median go to whichever side leaves the two halves more even. No answer may keep fewer than 5 recipes; a group that could not be split further says so.
The recipes listed under each group are the 5 nearest its median on every ingredient at once, each scaled by how much recipes vary on it. Every recipe page links to the original for the method.