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Honey Cornbread Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews

Honey Cornbread Cookies are a delightful fusion of sweet honey and the rustic texture of cornbread, transformed into tender, crumbly cookies. These treats boast a perfect balance of golden cornmeal crunch with the rich, aromatic sweetness of honey and vanilla, coated lightly with sugar for a beautifully crisp exterior. Freezing the dough balls before baking ensures they hold their shape and texture, resulting in irresistibly soft-centered cookies with just a hint of chewiness and a delicate crumb.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Dough:

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 cups bread flour (or King Arthur all-purpose flour)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup cold salted butter, cubed (preferably Kerrygold)
  • 2 egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup white sugar

For the Coating:

  • 1/3 cup sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Mise en Place and Mix Dry Ingredients: Measure out the bread flour, yellow cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together in a small bowl to evenly distribute all leavening agents and seasonings. Separately, place 1/3 cup sugar in another small bowl for rolling the dough balls later. This preparation ensures a smooth and uniform dough development and efficient workflow.
  2. Cream Butter, Sugar, and Honey: Add the cold, cubed salted butter to a mixing bowl along with the white sugar and honey. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. The friction will warm the butter naturally, incorporating air to develop a tender cookie texture.
  3. Incorporate Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Add the room-temperature egg yolks and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Continue mixing on medium speed for about 1 minute until the yolks are fully incorporated and no streaks remain. Use a spatula to scrape down the bowl sides for thorough mixing. This step helps create a smooth, uniform dough base.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: Pour the whisked dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix briefly on low speed for 30-45 seconds just until the dough forms a cohesive, slightly sticky ball. Avoid overmixing to prevent gluten development, which would toughen the cookies. The dough should hold shape but remain tender and crumbly.
  5. Shape, Sugar-Coat, and Freeze Dough Balls: Divide the dough into about 10 equal portions. Roll each portion between your palms into smooth balls, then coat each thoroughly in the reserved sugar. Arrange the sugar-coated balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight to prevent spreading during baking and to improve texture and appearance in the final cookies.
  6. Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the frozen dough balls from the freezer and place 5 balls on each sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges set but centers remain slightly soft to the touch. Avoid overbaking as the cookies will continue to firm upon cooling.
  7. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes to finish setting while retaining tenderness. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Using cold butter and creaming it with sugar and honey without microwaving ensures better texture and flavor.
  • Room temperature egg yolks emulsify better, contributing to a smooth dough.
  • Do not overmix the dough to maintain a tender, crumbly cornbread-like texture.
  • Freezing dough balls prior to baking is crucial to prevent cookies from spreading excessively.
  • The cookies continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven, so avoid overbaking.
  • For crunchier cookies, use a coarser yellow cornmeal.
  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness up to 3 days.

Keywords: honey cornbread cookies, cornbread cookies, honey cookies, cornmeal cookies, baked cookies, sweet cornbread treats

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/honey-cornbread-cookies-recipe/