Lemon Blueberry Cornbread Skillet

$2.37 recipe / $0.30 serving
by Beth - Budget Bytes
4.92 from 34 votes
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I don’t make dessert often, and when I do, I tend to make things that are not too-too sweet. Things that could easily double as a breakfast, like this Lemon Blueberry Cornbread Skillet. Using my Homemade Cornbread recipe as a template, I added some lemon zest and frozen blueberries, then increased the sugar just a skosh to make it more like a coffee cake. And I must say, the result is absolutely delicious with coffee!!

Close up of baked Lemon Blueberry Cornbread in a cast iron skillet with a pat of butter melting on top.

This recipe is also a great example of my Budget Byting Principle #2—using expensive ingredients sparingly and pairing them with inexpensive ingredients to keep the overall cost low. Blueberries and lemons are both expensive, but since I didn’t go overboard with either and the rest of the ingredients are super inexpensive pantry staples, this entire cake was still less than 50 cents per serving! That’s how we do it!

Can I Use Fresh Blueberries?

Yes, absolutely. I only used frozen because they are less expensive than fresh at the moment. If using fresh blueberries, they can be folded right into the batter instead of sprinkled on top and pushed down in because they don’t bleed color like frozen blueberries.

Lemon Blueberry Cornbread served on a plate next to the skillet and two mugs of coffee.

What Kind of Skillet Are You Using?

I am using a Lodge 10″ Cast Iron Skillet (affiliate link). If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, this can be baked in a 9″ pie plate, or a 9×9-inch square cake pan.

How Should I Store My Lemon Blueberry Cornbread?

Let the cornbread cool completely, then store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about four days. Or, once cooled, wrap each piece tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. The cornbread can be thawed at room temperature, or warmed briefly in the microwave before serving.

A hand taking a piece of Lemon Blueberry Cornbread from a plate.

Love lemon and blueberry together? Try my Lemon Blueberry Scones, Blueberry Lemon Curd Short Cakes, or Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Galette!

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Lemon Blueberry Cornbread Skillet

4.92 from 34 votes
For a deliciously lazy weekend treat, whip up this super fast and easy Lemon Blueberry Cornbread Skillet. Great for breakfast, dessert, or coffee! 
Close up of baked Lemon Blueberry Cornbread in the skillet with some butter melting on top.
Servings 8
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal ($0.24)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour ($0.11)
  • 1/3 cup sugar ($0.10)
  • 4 tsp baking powder ($0.16)
  • 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • 1 fresh lemon ($0.43)
  • 1 cup milk ($0.32)
  • 1 large egg ($0.25)
  • 1/3 cup cooking oil ($0.16)
  • 1 Tbsp butter ($0.18)
  • 1/2 cup frozen blueberries ($0.40)
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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF with the cast iron skillet inside, so it can preheat with the oven.
  • Zest the lemon (you’ll need about 1 tsp), then squeeze about 1 Tbsp of juice. 
  • In a large bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and the lemon zest. Use your hands to massage the lemon zest into the dry mixture a bit to help release the flavorful oils.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, egg, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Pour the whisked wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir just until the dry mixture is completely moistened. A few lumps are okay.
  • Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Add 1 Tbsp butter to the hot skillet and use a brush to spread the melted butter up the sides of the skillet.
  • Pour the prepared cornbread batter into the hot skillet. Sprinkle the frozen blueberries over top (no need to thaw), then push them down into the batter with your fingers.
  • Carefully return the skillet to the hot oven. Bake the cornbread for 20-25 minutes, or until the top and sides are deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool slightly, then slice into 8 pieces and serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.


Notes

This cornbread cake is great with a drizzle of maple syrup over top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 303.25kcalCarbohydrates: 38.8gProtein: 6.23gFat: 14.05gSodium: 381.45mgFiber: 3.76g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
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Tip: Lemons cost less when you buy a whole bag. Save your leftover lemons in the freezer. Frozen lemons are great for zesting and juicing. Read more about How to Freeze Whole Citrus in my tutorial. 

Close up of a pat of butter melting on the surface of Lemon Blueberry Cornbread

That butter, though. 😍

How to Make Lemon Blueberry Cornbread – Step by Step Photos

A zested lemon on a cutting board with a zester

Start by zesting one fresh lemon, and squeezing about 1 Tbsp juice. (I cut up the rest of the lemon to add to my water throughout the day). Place a 10″ cast iron skillet in the oven, then begin preheating the oven to 425ºF. Let the skillet preheat with the oven.

Dry ingredients for lemon blueberry cornbread in a bowl.

In a large bowl combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and about 1 tsp of the lemon zest. Stir until everything is very well combined. The zest may ball up, so use your hands to break up the clumps and massage it into the dry ingredients. This will help release the flavorful lemon oil, too.

Lemon Blueberry Cornbread wet ingredients in a bowl with a whisk

In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, ⅓ cup oil, and 1 Tbsp of the lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.

Combine wet and dry ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.

Lemon Blueberry Cornbread Batter

Stir just until everything is moistened and no dry flour remains on the bottom of the bowl. It’s okay if it’s a little lumpy.

Melt Butter in Hot Skillet brush up the sides

Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and add 1 Tbsp of butter to the skillet. Use a brush to spread the melted butter up the sides of the skillet.

Batter and blueberries in hot skillet ready to bake.

Pour the prepared batter into the hot skillet. Sprinkle 1/2 cup frozen blueberries on top, then push them down into the batter with your finger.

Baked Lemon Blueberry Cornbread in the cast iron skillet

Bake the Lemon Blueberry Cornbread for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly, then cut into eight pieces and serve!

Close up of baked Lemon Blueberry Cornbread in the skillet with some butter melting on top.

While you don’t HAVE to, more melted butter on top is absolutely divine. 

A slice of Lemon Blueberry Cornbread on a plate with a fork and cup of coffee in the background.

Goes great with coffee!!

More Easy Cornbread Recipes

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  1. Made this and it turned out perfectly! I used fresh blueberries and made it in a 9×9 pan because I don’t have a cast iron skillet. I liked that the blueberries added just a little bit of sweetness, but it was very subtle and didn’t taste like cake – still very much cornbread. It was also very easy to make which is always a top priority for me. Highly recommend.

  2. Tried to cook cornbread very first time. Halved the portion, swaped blueberries for raspberryes and
    made it in my skillet with a lid on and on the stove top. 12 minutes on the first side, 5 minutes on the second side and left undisturbed for about 5 more minutes. Ended up great. Will definetly cook it again.

  3. I just noticed that in the “Ingredients ” it sez 1/3 cuo oil , , then ,In step by step instruction ‘ it sez 1/4 cup oil….???

  4. This recipe is truly versatile. I made it gluten free by subbing 1/4 cup coconut flour for the 1 cup of flour and adding an extra egg because coconut flour usually warrants more egg in a recipe. Nothing else was changed…it came out delicious and had a great crumb and texture! Thanks!

  5. Baked this tonight and I just added a full cup of frozen blueberries instead and it came. out perfect!