Buttermilk cornbread muffins are extra corny. They include corn in three ways. We like cornbread muffins with buttermilk because it adds just a bit of tangy flavor. Fig honey butter is the final touch.
Fig Honey Butter
For the fig honey butter, we prefer using Sun-Maid and Orchard Choice Golden Figs. They are delicately sweet, slightly nutty, and tangy in their own right. You could also use Mission Figs for a more jammy flavor and color contrast.
Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins
As we mentioned, we use three kinds of corn in the cornbread muffins with buttermilk. Corn kernels are optional, but a fun garnish and mix-in that makes sense and adds a fresh twist. Cornmeal adds a bit of texture because of its coarser grind. Masa harina is finely ground and usually used to make corn tortillas.
With those ingredients, the muffins are naturally gluten-free. Eggs act as a binder with coconut oil adding the fat. If you’ve never tried coconut oil with corn before, you’re in for a treat—the nutty flavor of the melted unrefined oil draws out the corn flavor. Or, use a refined coconut oil if you prefer a less coconutty taste.
The muffins are particularly good still warm from the oven. Try them with our Mediterranean chickpea chili or Texas-style chili.
Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins & Golden Fig Honey Butter
Ingredients
Cornbread Muffins with Corn
- 2 cups masa harina corn flour
- 1 cup coarse cornmeal
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil cooled
- 1 cup corn kernels optional
Fig Honey Butter
- 8 ounces Orchard Choice California Golden Figs or Sun-Maid Calimyrna Figs stems removed (1 1/4 cups)
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Flaky sea salt optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Mist two 12-well muffin tins with cooking spray.
- Make Corn Muffins: Mix corn flour, cornmeal, baking soda, and salt until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, honey, and coconut oil until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until combined, adding in 3/4 cup corn once almost fully mixed. Portion 1/4 cups of batter—it’s going to be thick so you could even pat into balls and place in muffin wells. Lightly press in remaining corn kernels on top.
- Bake for 15 minutes on middle rack or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in muffin tin before turning out on a plate.
- Make Fig Honey Butter: Place figs, butter, honey, and kosher salt in a food processor. Process until smooth and combined. Scoop out butter with a spatula to serve right away. Or, chill until set: scoop onto parchment paper to roll into a log with ends twisted or spoon into a bowl, covered with plastic wrap. Sprinkle on flaky sea salt just before serving, if desired.