Fresh Corn Cornbread

By jgroeneveld

For cornbread that's packed with fresh, concentrated corn flavor, we puree fresh corn kernals and cook them down into a "corn butter" that is incorporated into the batter. Buttermilk adds tang, while egg yolks and a little bit of extra butter ensure the bread is moist.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups ( 6 2/3 ounces) stone ground cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsps baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 ears corn, kernals cut from cobs (2 1/4 cups)
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs plus 1 large yolk

Details

Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 60mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.

2. Process corn kernels in blender until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer puree to medium saucepan (you should have about 1 1/2 cups). Cook puree over medium heat, stirring constantly, until very thick and deep yellow and it measures 3/4 cup, 5 to 8 minutes.

3. Remove pan from heat. Add 5 tablespoons butter and whisk until melted and incorporated. Add buttermilk and whisk until incorporated. Add eggs and yolk and whisk until incorporated. Transfer corn mixture to bowl with cornmeal mixture and, using rubber spatula, fold together until just combined.

4. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon in 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Scrape batter into skillet and spread into even layer. Bake until top is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 23 to 28 minutes. Let cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove cornbread from skillet and let cool for 20 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.