It can hard to wrap your head around just how huge the United States is. You can find unusual regional foods in every corner of the country, from New Orleans to Cincinnati. Every place has its own style, traditions and culture.
And that goes for food, too. Head to the heart of the Appalachian South for cornbread and milk, a simple snack that you can make with leftover cornbread. It might be the best thing we’ve heard about lately, though we’re not sure anything can beat the pineapple sandwich.
How Did This Become a Snack?
No one is exactly sure of its origin. Some people have theorized that cornbread and milk, also referred to as “crumble in” or “crumb-in,” was a way for farmers and their families to stay fed during food shortages. Others agree that it may have risen from southern people trying to revive stale or dried-out cornbread. Either that, or they were just looking for a way to give their glass of milk a little something else. I get it—we used to dip toast in our chocolate milk as kids!
Find the best cornbread mix for your baking style.
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How to Eat Cornbread and Milk
Think of it as cereal. You take leftover cornbread and crumble it into a glass. Next, add your milk of choice. Traditionally, one would use buttermilk or fresh cow’s milk for a little bit of sweetness. Then, you just use a spoon and eat to your heart’s content (and before it gets too mushy).
Cornbread and milk is always served in a glass. Some add green onions, salt or pepper. Some even add a bit more sugar or honey, although we think premium homemade cornbread is the perfect amount of sweet. Whether this snack is old or new, we think it’s time you treat yourself!
Ways to Make Cornbread from Scratch
Cowboy CornbreadThis cornbread is richer and sweeter than others I’ve tried, and especially luscious alongside ham and beans. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Favorite Mexican CornbreadI love to cook and my supportive and encouraging mom finally convinced me to submit this recipe. I often serve this cornbread with chili. —Donna Hypes, Ramona, California
Chive-Cheese CornbreadThis cornbread goes well with any main dish. The chives and sharp cheddar cheese give it a special flavor. —Sybil Eades, Gainesville, Georgia
Skillet Herb BreadWe had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom's was my favorite—she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Appalachian CornbreadOn this westernmost ridge of the Appalachians, we get abundant rain and sunshine, which allows our children to grow a super sweet corn crop. With staggered plantings, there is enough to eat from mid-July through August, plus plenty to freeze for the long winter. This cornbread is just one way we use some of the bounty! —Anne Wiehler, Farmington, Pennsylvania
Buttery CornbreadA friend gave me this homemade cornbread recipe several years ago, and it's my favorite of all I've tried. I love to serve the melt-in-your-mouth side hot from the oven with butter and syrup. It gets rave reviews on holidays and at potluck dinners. —Nicole Callen, Auburn, California
Homemade Corn Muffins with Honey ButterI turn classic corn bread muffins into something special by serving them with a honey butter. They're gone in a flash! —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia
Jalapeno Buttermilk CornbreadIf you’re from the South, you have to have a good cornbread recipe. Here’s a lightened-up version of my mom’s traditional cornbread that tastes just as delicious. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
Honey CornbreadServing this moist cornbread to family and guests is a pleasure. Honey gives the bread a slightly sweet taste, and most people find it difficult to eat just one piece. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
Cheddar Corn Dog MuffinsI wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this kid-friendly recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida
Moist & Sweet CornbreadWe prefer good old Southern cornbread with our beans but sometimes want it sweeter. Here’s a sweet version to hold up the butter. —Stacey Feather, Jay, Oklahoma
Creole CornbreadCornbread is a staple of Cajun and Creole cuisine. This version is an old favorite, and it really tastes wonderful. I found the recipe in the bottom of my recipe drawer. —Enid Hebert, Lafayette, Louisiana
Orange Corn MuffinsThis is an old recipe that I decided to improve upon—and I like this version so much better! Sometimes, I'll make lemon corn muffins by substituting lemon peel if I don't happen to have any oranges on hand. —Hope Huggins, Santa Cruz, California
Southwestern Cornbread with Chili Honey-Lime ButterI put a wonderful twist on my grandma's classic cornbread. The teachers at my kids' school thought it was sensational. Any leftover flavored butter can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week, and used in other great recipes or on seeded toast. —Elizabeth Charpiot, Santa Rosa, California
Gluten-Free Cornmeal MuffinsServe these muffins warm with butter, honey or even salsa! Reheat leftovers in foil in the oven...if there are any! —Laura Fall-Sutton, Buhl, Idaho
Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar FillingI’m an Iowa gardener and I like to feature sweet corn in my recipes. These cute, easy-to-eat bites are a fun change from the usual appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa
Sausage JohnnycakeHere’s a nice hearty breakfast with plenty of old-fashioned flavor. I serve it to my bed-and-breakfast guests. They love the cake’s savory middle and maple syrup topping. It’s a fine way to start the day! —Lorraine Guyn, Calgary, Alberta
Peppered CornbreadPretty flecks of jalapeno and red peppers peek out from this golden cornbread. It has a mild flavor that appeals to most palates. —Ila Bray, Pelham, North Carolina
Meat 'n' Pepper CornbreadIt suits me to be able to brown and bake this cornbread in the same cast-iron-skillet—such convenience! —Rita Carlson, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Yogurt CornbreadMy husband doesn't like traditional Texas cornbread, so I came up with this recipe. This is the only kind he'll eat. Yogurt makes this variation different from most. —Amanda Andrews of Mansfield, Texas
Moist Red Pepper CornbreadThe name of this recipe says it all—except how perfect they are for scooping up that last drop of soups and stews! —Katherine Thompson, Tybee Island, Georgia
Updated: Apr. 28, 2023
