Easy Cornbread Cookies with Cinnamon Honey Butter Frosting
These soft and buttery Cornbread Cookies with Cinnamon Honey Butter Frosting are inspired by sweet Southern cornbread and topped with a fluffy honey butter frosting, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. They’re thick, bakery-style cookies that are perfect for holidays, fall baking, cookie exchanges, or whenever you’re craving a cozy homemade dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 MINUTES
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 16 Large Cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup fine yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Honey Butter Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish
- Honey drizzle
- Cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and honey.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Scoop dough into large balls (about ¼ cup each) and place 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten the tops.
- Bake for 11–13 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should remain soft.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and enough heavy cream to create a fluffy, spreadable frosting.
- Spread a generous layer of frosting over each cooled cookie using an offset spatula or spoon.
- Finish with a drizzle of honey and a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before serving.
Notes
- Fine cornmeal creates the softest cookie texture.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should look slightly underdone in the center.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if your kitchen is warm.
- For extra bakery-style cookies, use a large cookie scoop and flatten slightly before baking.
Make It Your Own
- Add a touch of maple syrup to the frosting.
- Brown the butter for a richer flavor.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the honey drizzle.
- Add orange zest to the frosting for a bright twist.
- Drizzle with hot honey for a sweet-and-spicy version.