How to firm up Jiffy cornbread
February 21, 2025 9:41 AM Subscribe
I have a box of Jiffy cornbread mix I'd like to make tonight to go with chili. The last time I made it, it was very soft and crumbly. How can I make it come out more firm?
I made it per the directions on the package last time, except I probably used either water or almond milk instead of dairy because I didn't have it. I still don't have it.
I do have eggs, sour cream, mayo, heavy cream, butter, etc.
I don't have creamed corn on hand, which was an oft-suggested add-in in my Google results.
To be clear, I'm not especially looking for flavor enhancement, although I'm not opposed to it. I really just want it to not disintegrate into its molecules in my hand as I attempt to eat it.
I made it per the directions on the package last time, except I probably used either water or almond milk instead of dairy because I didn't have it. I still don't have it.
I do have eggs, sour cream, mayo, heavy cream, butter, etc.
I don't have creamed corn on hand, which was an oft-suggested add-in in my Google results.
To be clear, I'm not especially looking for flavor enhancement, although I'm not opposed to it. I really just want it to not disintegrate into its molecules in my hand as I attempt to eat it.
adding an extra egg will make it more cake-like, some cheese would help bind, I usually throw in a handful of frozen corn into mixes for moisture, and consider mini/muffins for cornbread in really well greased tins!
posted by euphoria066 at 9:53 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
posted by euphoria066 at 9:53 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
This is maybe not a solution for today, as I can see you are looking to improvise mostly with what is on hand. But my mom (who is from KY) always bought one box each of Jiffy cornbread mix and Jiffy buttermilk biscuits mix and combined them. The result was a more bread-like cornbread that we all came to love.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:01 AM on February 21 [6 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:01 AM on February 21 [6 favorites]
2 eggs and use that cream you have instead of milk
posted by phunniemee at 10:11 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 10:11 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
Jiffy is intended to be a crumbly texture so you're fighting against its very nature. The fat in the milk and egg is what makes it less crumbly. Use actual dairy instead of nut dairy. Maybe 50 mL heavy cream + 30 mL water to make 1/3 cup liquid, or just all cream? Or add tablespoon or four of melted butter in addition to the 1/3 cup liquid. Measure/weigh your egg to ensure you're using a USDA medium (might need to use more, especially if you are using homegrown eggs).
posted by holyrood at 10:13 AM on February 21 [1 favorite]
posted by holyrood at 10:13 AM on February 21 [1 favorite]
I use this recipe and it has a great texture - the sour cream in particular I find really helps. If you take the volume of dry mix you have and adjust the ratios accordingly, you should be able to use the right eggs/sour cream/etc amounts to get something similar.
posted by restless_nomad at 10:13 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad at 10:13 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
You can get a crisper, firmer, and more delicious crust by throwing the pan in the heated oven for about 5 minutes to preheat and in the last minute throw in a couple tablespoons of butter for them to melt. Make sure to coat the bottom of the pan with the melted butter, by tipping the pan around.
posted by gregr at 10:52 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
posted by gregr at 10:52 AM on February 21 [2 favorites]
Stir more. The gluten in the flour will bind better. (Adding an egg works too -- basically, you need protein for stickiness, and these are two common ways to get it).
posted by novalis_dt at 11:19 AM on February 21 [1 favorite]
posted by novalis_dt at 11:19 AM on February 21 [1 favorite]
I add a healthy dollop of sour cream.
I also really like the pancake recipe on the Jiffy website.
You have to use real milk, though. There may be an alternative milk that works as well, but I wouldn’t know what it is. It certainly wouldn’t be almond milk or water. You can also try using half-and-half instead of milk - that may have been what I was using when it came out well with the sour cream.
posted by wheatlets at 11:56 AM on February 21 [1 favorite]
I also really like the pancake recipe on the Jiffy website.
You have to use real milk, though. There may be an alternative milk that works as well, but I wouldn’t know what it is. It certainly wouldn’t be almond milk or water. You can also try using half-and-half instead of milk - that may have been what I was using when it came out well with the sour cream.
posted by wheatlets at 11:56 AM on February 21 [1 favorite]
A little apple sauce (about a 1/4 cup per egg) also makes a nice substitute for eggs in things like cornbread -- it adds moisture and helps bind the batter (and as far as I know there isn't currently a nationwide shortage) so it works for simple baking pretty well. Apple sauce is a little bit "wetter" than an egg, so maybe slightly cut the amount of milk you add by a tiny bit.
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:41 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:41 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for all the ideas. I went with phunnieme's suggestion of an extra egg and heavy cream, but then I remembered I had a bunch of those little half-and-half creamers I needed to use up. It came out perfect! Thanks phunnieme 🙂
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 2:37 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 2:37 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]
You inspired me, I set the permanent pantry staple box of jiffy by the stove 4 hours ago so I'd remember to make myself some corn muffins for breakfast. Glad it worked out!
posted by phunniemee at 2:40 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 2:40 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]
Next time, get Krusteaz
posted by kindall at 2:55 PM on February 21 [2 favorites]
posted by kindall at 2:55 PM on February 21 [2 favorites]
Mod note: One comment removed, please note that the OP mentioned they don't have creamed corn on hand.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 3:00 PM on February 21
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 3:00 PM on February 21
Mod note: Hi again, please avoid derailing the thread by asking questions about moderation actions in the thread. You're welcome to reach out via the Contact Us form or submitting a MetaTalk post.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:22 PM on February 21
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:22 PM on February 21
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posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:42 AM on February 21