Buttery Pumpkin Sage Cornbread

A hint of pumpkin and a touch of sage makes this Buttery Pumpkin Sage Cornbread a wonderful side dish for any autumn meal.

Now that the weather is turning cooler and the days are getting shorter, I figure it's finally time that I dip my toes into the pumpkin pool. I held off as long as I could, but the idea of the Buttery Pumpkin Sage Cornbread kept calling my name.

When it comes to cornbread, I'm not traditional, and I'm not Southern. Therefore, I like to play with my ingredients list from time to time, which led me to this particular rendition for an autumn-inspired cornbread.

I tend to like my cornbread a little on the sweet side, so I always like to add a touch of sugar to the mix. I also like my cornbread a little on the moist side, so it doesn't crumble and fall into my lap before making it into my mouth. I'm crazy like that.

This particular recipe makes a softer, cake-like cornbread that has a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar and a slight aroma and taste of fresh sage that pairs nicely with the savory autumn pumpkin.

PUMPKIN SAGE CORNBREAD    {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Prep Time:   10 minutes       Bake Time:   45-50 minutes

1¼ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 egg
⅔ cup pumpkin pureé (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1  8" x 8" casserole dish
2 tablespoons butter, melted
baking spray

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, baking powder and brown sugar.

-In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vinegar, egg and pumpkin. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour/cornmeal mixture and mix with a wooden spoon to completely combine. Stir in the chopped sage.

-Spoon the cornbread mixture into a casserole dish that has been sprayed with baking spray. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish and bake in a preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

-Remove from oven and immediately brush the entire surface with the melted butter.

-Serving warm is best, but it's also tasty at room temperature.