Why You Should Think Twice Before Baking Cornbread In A Pyrex Dish - Tasting Table (2024)

Why You Should Think Twice Before Baking Cornbread In A Pyrex Dish - Tasting Table (4)

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ByLena Beck/

When you've got a bubbling pot of chili on the stove, there is no better complement to the meal than freshly baked cornbread. This sweet and savory treat has become a comfort food staple across the U.S., especially in the South, and there are so many variations on the basic recipe, which involves cornmeal and liquid (often buttermilk).

Besides the recipe, the baking dish you choose to use can be the difference between good cornbread and great. For home cooks, reaching for a glass baking dish such as Pyrex is a common choice when cooking things in the oven.And while it's true that Pyrex is a versatile and useful baking tool, it is not your best choice for traditional southern cornbread, which is made to have a crispy and crunchy exterior. If you use a glass baking dish such as Pyrex, you aren't going to get this textured crust.

Glass baking dishes are not good at conducting heat

Why You Should Think Twice Before Baking Cornbread In A Pyrex Dish - Tasting Table (5)

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When you bake cornbread in a glass dish, the end result will be light and pillowy through and through. While many people love this quality, it means there is no significant contrast in texture between the crust and the interior.

The reason for this has to do with the relationship between glass and heat. Glass is an insulator, but it is not a great conductor of heat. It is slow to warm up, and you need a super hot dish in order to form cornbread's signature crust while still achieving an even bake throughout.While it is possible (and typically suggested) to preheat a Pyrex dish, it is not as well-suited for high-temperature bakingas other materials, and it can sometimes break when exposed to sudden temperature changes, like a preheating oven. Glass dishes can work really well for other baking needs, such as banana or zucchini bread. But when you want something with crispy edges, you need a material that can handle high heat better than glass.

A cast iron skillet is your best choice for cornbread

Why You Should Think Twice Before Baking Cornbread In A Pyrex Dish - Tasting Table (6)

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One of the most common strategies for getting this desirable crusty effect is to bake your cornbread in a cast iron skillet. The benefit of using cast iron is that itretains heatreally well, helping to make the batter nice and crispy around the edges.Cast iron can also withstand abrupt temperature changes better than glass.

To achieve ideal cornbread, heat up your cast iron skillet in the oven and then melt some butter into it. Pour your cornbread batter into the already hot pan. This will cause the exterior of your cornbread to start baking immediately upon contact with the pan. Preheating your skillet will help ensure an evenly baked end product. When your cornbread is ready to come out of the oven, you'll find that the outside is crispy, buttery, and delicious and comes out of the pan easily. Pair it with your favorite soup or chili recipe, or slather on some butter and enjoy it all on its own.

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Why You Should Think Twice Before Baking Cornbread In A Pyrex Dish - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Why You Should Think Twice Before Baking Cornbread In A Pyrex Dish - Tasting Table? ›

It's slow to warm up, and a super hot dish is needed to form cornbread's signature crust while achieving an even bake. While a Pyrex dish can be preheated, it's still not well-suited for high-temperature baking, and it can break when exposed to sudden temperature changes in a hot oven.

Can you bake cornbread in Pyrex? ›

And while it's true that Pyrex is a versatile and useful baking tool, it is not your best choice for traditional southern cornbread, which is made to have a crispy and crunchy exterior. If you use a glass baking dish such as Pyrex, you aren't going to get this textured crust.

Should you let cornbread batter sit before baking? ›

We recommend allowing cornbread batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking, so if you prefer, you can delay heating the oven until you make the batter. 2Melt the butter, and then set aside to cool slightly.

How to keep cornbread from sticking to a muffin pan? ›

Preheat The Oven And Prep The pan

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it nice and hot before you even begin making the cornbread muffin batter. Next, grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the muffins from sticking.

Is cornbread good for high blood pressure? ›

Finally, keep in mind that some types of cornbread — including processed or store-bought varieties — may be high in sodium. Consuming high amounts of sodium may increase blood pressure, especially among people who are more sensitive to the effects of salt ( 22 ).

How bad is cornbread for diabetics? ›

Diabetics should approach cornbread with caution due to its high carbohydrate content, which can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. Traditional cornbread recipes often contain refined flour and added sugars, further exacerbating the issue.

Can I bake in my glass Pyrex? ›

Pyrex is oven-safe up to 425 degrees. However, direct contact with heating elements can cause the glass to shatter or break. Pyrex is not oven-safe when used under the broiler or in a toaster oven.

What is the best pan to bake cornbread in? ›

Use cast iron

You can't go wrong with a 10.25 Inch Skillet, but if you want to mix it up, you can pull out a Muffin Pan, Wedge Pan, or Cornstick Pan (of course!). In fact, we've got a whole conversion article to help you make our cornbread mix in whichever pan is your favorite!

Why does my baked cornbread fall apart? ›

generally speaking, cornbread is crumbly if there is too high a proportion of cornmeal to flour. you need the gluten in the flour to hold it together and also enough moisture.

Is it better to use oil or butter in cornbread? ›

While oil can make cakes and quick breads luxuriously tender, I find the cornbread lacks flavor if butter isn't present. Because butter doesn't make the bread as moist as oil does, I pair it with buttermilk. Buttermilk: Buttermilk makes cakes, muffins, and breads extra moist.

Should cornbread batter be thick or thin? ›

The consistency of the batter should be a bit like pancake batter—a little on the thin side. Thick batter can result in dry texture and cornbread that crumbles easily after baking. If you feel your batter is too thick, simply add a splash of extra milk.

Can you bake cornbread in a pyrex? ›

Glass baking dishes like Pyrex aren't good enough at browning to give southern cornbread a crisp, caramelized crust. The resulting bread will be soft and pillowy throughout. Glass is an insulator, but it's not a great conductor of heat.

What is the best oil to grease a muffin pan with? ›

Olive oil spray can be a healthier choice to traditional vegetable oil sprays. Shortening - Shortening is easy to spread with a pastry brush or paper towel and it ensures the same even coat you get with butter. Unlike butter, you will not affect the muffin's flavor.

Is cornbread good for your bowels? ›

Is cornbread hard to digest? A. Cornbread contains fibre, which is not easily digested or absorbed by the body and passes through the digestive system relatively intact. Fibre also controls bowel motions by softening and increasing the weight and size of the stool, all of which make it easier to pass stool.

Is cornbread good for your stomach? ›

Cornbread can help improve digestion.

Fiber also helps food to pass quickly through the intestines. Cornbread is also made with whole-grain cornmeal. So, it boasts even more digestive-friendly benefits.

Is cornbread good for your heart? ›

Regularly eating whole-grain corn has been linked to a lower risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and may help support digestive health. Cornmeal also delivers vitamins and minerals including phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and thiamin.

Why can't diabetics eat corn? ›

Corn is low in fat and low in salt, so it is suitable for diabetics' dietary guidelines. However, corn is still a starchy food group, so people with diabetes should not eat a lot of corn. To avoid difficulty controlling blood sugar.

Is popcorn good for diabetics? ›

Popcorn offers people with diabetes a low-sugar, low-calorie snack option. It will not increase a person's blood sugar levels by a significant amount, making it a safe choice between meals. However, people should keep toppings to a minimum and avoid eating excessive portions.

Can diabetics eat honey? ›

Used sparingly, honey can be part of a healthy, balanced diet for people living with diabetes. But it's good practice to get into the habit of limiting honey and any added sugar as much as possible. More than focussing on an individual ingredient, think about what you eat for each meal as a whole.

What are the black specks in corn bread mix? ›

The black specks are simply naturally dark pieces of the pericarp (skin) of the corn, where the tip of the kernel attaches to the cob. The color of the specks will vary by crop and year. They are the same as those commonly seen in hard taco shells, corn or tortilla chips, cornmeal, and natural whole corn products.

How do I tell when cornbread is done? ›

When done, the edges will be lightly browned and just beginning to pull away from the pan. A toothpick or paring knife inserted into the center should come out clean. Place the pan on a rack to cool. Slice and serve the cornbread.

What is the best cornmeal for cornbread? ›

As for the best cornmeal for cornbread, either fine- or medium-grind cornmeal is a great choice. Medium-grind cornmeal will bring slightly more texture and grittiness to the batter, which you may or may not want (it's up to you!). You can use fine or medium cornmeal in these extra corny muffins.

Is it better to bake cornbread in glass or metal? ›

So we asked a few of the best bakers in the biz what they prefer. And almost unanimously they said metal. It's lightweight, easy to maintain, and inexpensive, and it provides a more consistent and even bake.

Can I use Pyrex instead of baking pan? ›

So, if you're in a pinch and need to use glass or ceramic cookware for recipes that call for baking pans, reduce the baking temperature by about 25ºF. It's also important to note some glassware, such as Pyrex, can be prone to thermal shock, meaning rapid temperature change could cause your bakeware to shatter.

Can you bake bread in Pyrex glass? ›

It is possible to bake sourdough bread in pyrex or glass. You will need to take into account the type of sourdough bread you're baking, the oven safe temperature of your pyrex dish, as well as the baking time of the bread.

Does Pyrex shatter in oven? ›

Always preheat the oven first before placing the bakeware inside it. According to Pyrex's safety and usage instructions, “While the glass is designed for temperatures typically used in baking, it can break when exposed to the direct heat element while the oven is preheating.”

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