Description
These Cornbread Cookies with Honey Butter Frosting combine a unique cornmeal-based cookie with a rich and creamy honey buttercream. The cookies are slightly crunchy on the edges with a tender, cornmeal flavor and a soft center, complemented perfectly by a sweet, smooth honey frosting with a touch of cinnamon and flaky sea salt for balance.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup cornmeal (plus extra ⅓ cup for rolling)
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Honey Butter Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Flaky sea salt (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and kosher salt. Set aside. Also, place ⅓ cup cornmeal in a separate bowl for rolling the cookies later.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and honey together for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Scoop and Roll Cookies: Using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion heaping scoops (about ¼ cup) of cookie dough. Roll each piece in the reserved ⅓ cup cornmeal to coat the outside, then place them onto the prepared baking sheets with no more than 6 cookies per sheet to allow space for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Gently press each rolled cookie dough ball down slightly with the bottom of a cup to flatten just a bit, ensuring even baking and shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11-14 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look soft and slightly doughy. Avoid baking past 14 minutes to prevent dryness.
- Settle Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and gently smack them on the counter a few times to help the cookies fall and flatten further, ensuring a tender texture.
- Cool Completely: Place the baking sheets on a wire rack and allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheets before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Make Honey Butter Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), kosher salt, and half of the powdered sugar until a paste forms.
- Finish Frosting: Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high speed and whip for 1 minute until smooth and fluffy. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Decorate Cookies: Pipe or spread the honey butter frosting on top of each completely cooled cookie. Drizzle with extra honey and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt for a delightful contrast.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies; pulling them out when the centers are still slightly doughy ensures a soft texture.
- Cooling the cookies completely on the baking sheets prevents them from breaking and helps retain moisture.
- The cinnamon in the frosting is optional but adds a warm flavor note.
- Adding flaky sea salt on top balances the sweetness and enhances the honey flavor.
- Room temperature ingredients, especially butter and eggs, help create the best texture and mixing results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cornbread cookies, honey butter frosting, cornmeal cookies, sweet corn cookies, soft cookies, homemade cookies, honey frosting cookies
