Add cornmeal to waffles is a fantastic way to upgrade the flavor and we will share with you something absolutely amazing to spread onto your waffles.
I have so much love for high quality cornmeal! Not the cheap stuff you find in the grocery store with no flavor. I am talking about the old fashioned, stone ground cornmeal that contains all the parts of the corn kernel. Minimum processing, full flavor cornmeal. The kind you have to keep cold or it could get rancid on you.
Today I am going to talk about one of my favorite types of corn meals, where I got it, and how I incorporate it into my waffles.
What Corn Meal to Use?
This is how I want to see my cornmeal made, by a water powdered wheel that grinds the corn into a meal using stones. And that’s what I found when we were staying in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area, one of my favorite parts of the country because of all the amazing food and, of course, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Every time I go there I am always amazed at how special of a place it is. You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place in the fall:
My spot for cornmeal and all the best grains is the Old Mill. These have a wide range of stone ground products from cornmeal to grits to flours. They also have a restaurant on site as well.
Even if you don’t use their corn meal, when you are shopping at the grocery store always look for the words “stone ground” on the packaging. This is extremely important for flavor and quality. Bob’s Red Mill is a good option and is readily available, so that’s my go-to when I am not supporting a small business like the Old Mill.
🎧 Listen to a Podcast Episode
Click or tap the play button below to hear more about the Old MIll and the grains in a podcast interview I did with them:
What is Maple Butter?
Back in 2022, my family was staying in southern California. Before we left I got to attend Expo West in Anaheim. It’s a trade show featuring “natural products” although I don’t like that word as it can mean anything. Just think, your more premium products found at stores like Whole Foods, Costco, and Sprouts. One of the booths I visited was for Parker’s Real Maple. They have been on Shark Tank before. They offered me a jar of their maple butter to take home. We have had it again a few times since.
🍁 Maple butter is just maple syrup that has been mixed together or better yet creamed. It’s spreadable like butter. If you usually put syrup and butter on your waffles, I find that this satisfies me on it’s own.
I have had it at a few times since and it’s incredible on waffles, especially these cornbread waffles.
I have seen some recipes for maple butter but have not tried it myself as of yet. This involves heating up maple syrup to a certain temperature and then whip it with a hand mixer. I totally need to try it out someday and report back here!
The Recipe
To make this recipe, I used my Basic Mini Waffle recipe and just changed it to be 1/2 cup stone ground cornmeal and 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour. With this batter, I think it’s more important to allow to sit before you start making the waffles, so the corn and flour can absorb the liquid. Other than that it’s pretty much the same instructions.
Cornbread Waffles with Maple Butter
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup stone ground corn meal
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp pure cane sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
- 4 tbsp salted butter melted
- 1 egg
- extra butter for greasing the waffle maker
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine: the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
- Melt the butter in the microwave and allow a few minutes to cool.
- Measure out 1 cup of milk into a measuring cup with space to add 1 cracked egg. Mix well to combine. Once the butter has cooled a bit, add it as well.
- Make a well in the center of the dried ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.
- Mix it all together until it is just combined and there is no dry flour. Don't worry about it being lumpy, the lumps will cook out. You don't want to overmix the batter.
- Allow the batter to sit out while the waffle maker heats up. The batter will thicken some as the flour and cornmeal hydrate. I would let the batter sit for about 10 minutes at least.
- Once the waffle maker is hot. Brush butter on both top and bottom of the waffle maker then add your batter. Cook until brown. Repeat this until you have cooked all the waffles.
- You can keep waffles warm in an oven set to the lowest temperature. Don't stack the waffles or they could get soggy.
- Spread a layer of maple butter on each waffle and enjoy!
Syrups to Use on These Waffles
Here are some ideas for syrups to pour onto these waffles if you don’t have or want to use maple butter.
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