La Beth's Vanilla Corn Bread

Tel: 831.469.8233
Email: akeller@montereybayfarmers.org

Annaliese Keller

This sweet, moist corn bread has a delicate aroma paired with the grainy texture of the cornmeal. Utterly divine served piping hot with sliced fresh papaya and sweet butter as an unusual breakfast cake, toasted with butter, or as a bed for poached eggs.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups cultured buttermilk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, mix the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla with a wooden spoon or dough whisk. Add to the dry ingredients and pour the melted butter over the top of the batter. Stir just until all ingredients are moistened yet thoroughly blended; take care not to overmix.

Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch round springform pan or square Pyrex pan. Bake in the preheated oven about 40 to 45 minutes, until golden around the edges and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting to serve. Makes one 8-inch bread.

SOURCE: Recipe courtesy of Beth Hensperger, www.vanilla.com