Name: Famous Dave’s Cornbread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 33 s
Total time: 10 min 33 s
Yield: 14
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup yellow cornmeal; ¾ cup all-purpose flour; ¾ cup yellow cake mix; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs; ¾ cup whole milk; ⅓ cup vegetable oil; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve ever eaten at Famous Dave’s, you’ll know that the cornbread muffins are almost as memorable as the barbecue. We had been meaning to recreate them at home for ages, so we finally developed this Famous Dave’s cornbread recipe with the same soft middle, golden edges and unmistakably sweet flavour. They’re easy to prepare using a yellow cake mix and everyday pantry ingredients.

These copycat cornbread muffins are delicious alongside ribs, pulled pork or chilli, although we’ve also been known to eat them warm from the pan with a generous spread of butter.

Why You’ll Love This Famous Dave’s Cornbread Recipe

Sweet and tender: Yellow cake mix gives the muffins their signature cake-like texture.
Simple ingredients: Everything can be found in an ordinary supermarket.
Quick to prepare: The batter takes approximately 10 minutes to mix.
Perfect for barbecues: Serve them alongside ribs, brisket or pulled pork.
Easy to freeze: Make a batch ahead and reheat the muffins when needed.

Ingredients for Copycat Famous Dave’s Cornbread

Here is what you’ll need to make approximately 14 cornbread muffins:

¾ cup yellow cornmeal
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup yellow cake mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
¾ cup whole milk
⅓ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional
Softened butter or honey butter, for serving

Why Use Yellow Cake Mix?

Yellow cake mix is the ingredient that separates this Famous Dave’s cornbread recipe from traditional Southern cornbread. It adds sweetness while creating a particularly light, moist and cake-like texture.

You only need ¾ cup, not the entire box. Store the remaining mix in an airtight container and use it for another batch.

Can I Make It Without Cake Mix?

Yes. Replace the yellow cake mix with:

½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon milk powder, optional
¼ teaspoon baking powder
A small pinch of salt

The muffins won’t have precisely the same cake-like consistency, but this substitution produces a very similar sweet cornbread.

How to Make Famous Dave’s Cornbread Recipe

Step 1 – Prepare the Muffin Pan

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a standard muffin pan with paper cases or coat each cup lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2 – Combine the Dry Ingredients

Add the cornmeal, flour, yellow cake mix, baking powder and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until evenly combined and break apart any lumps from the cake mix.

Step 3 – Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, mayonnaise, honey and vanilla extract until smooth.

The mayonnaise may sound unusual, but it adds moisture and tenderness without making the cornbread taste like mayonnaise.

Step 4 – Prepare the Batter

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold gently until no large patches of flour remain.

Avoid overmixing the batter. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and will help keep the muffins light.

Step 5 – Fill the Muffin Pan

Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full. Sprinkle a small amount of granulated sugar over the tops if you would like a lightly crisp, sweet finish.

Step 6 – Bake the Cornbread Muffins

Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 7 – Serve Warm

Serve these copycat Famous Dave’s cornbread muffins warm with softened butter, honey or our Texas Roadhouse cinnamon honey butter.

Tips for the Best Famous Dave’s Cornbread Muffins

For the best results with this Famous Dave’s cornbread recipe, keep these simple tips in mind:

Measure the flour and cake mix without packing them into the measuring cup.
Use finely ground or medium-ground cornmeal rather than coarse cornmeal.
Bring the eggs and milk to room temperature when possible.
Mix the batter only until the ingredients are incorporated.
Begin checking the muffins after 15 minutes to prevent overbaking.
Serve them slightly warm for the softest texture.

What to Serve With Famous Dave’s Cornbread

These sweet cornbread muffins work particularly well with smoky, savoury and spicy dishes. Try serving them with:

Barbecue ribs
Pulled pork
Smoked brisket
Barbecue chicken
Beef or turkey chilli
Baked beans
Coleslaw
Macaroni and cheese

For a complete Famous Dave’s-inspired meal, serve them with our Famous Dave’s sweet and spicy pickles. The tangy pickles provide a wonderful contrast to the sweet cornbread.

Recipe Variations

Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

Fold one finely diced jalapeño into the batter. Remove the seeds for a milder flavour or leave some in for additional heat.

Cheddar Cornbread

Add ¾ cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese before dividing the batter between the muffin cups.

Honey-Glazed Cornbread

Mix two tablespoons of melted butter with one tablespoon of honey. Brush this mixture over the warm muffins immediately after baking.

Cornbread in a Baking Pan

Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 375°F for approximately 22–27 minutes, checking the centre with a toothpick before removing it from the oven.

How to Store Copycat Famous Dave’s Cornbread

Allow the muffins to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to five days.

Warm individual muffins in the microwave for approximately 10–15 seconds before serving.

Can You Freeze Cornbread Muffins?

Yes. Wrap each cooled muffin individually and place them inside a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to three months.

Thaw the muffins at room temperature or reheat them from frozen in the microwave. For a freshly baked texture, warm them in a 300°F oven for approximately 8–10 minutes.

Famous Dave’s Cornbread Recipe FAQs

Is Famous Dave’s cornbread sweet?

Yes. Famous Dave’s cornbread is noticeably sweeter than traditional Southern cornbread. Yellow cake mix, honey and a small amount of vanilla help reproduce that dessert-like flavour.

Can I use Jiffy cornbread mix?

You can use Jiffy as part of a shortcut version, but the texture and flavour will differ from this Famous Dave’s cornbread recipe. Combining cornmeal, flour and yellow cake mix gives you more control over the sweetness and consistency.

Why did my cornbread muffins turn out dry?

Dry cornbread is usually caused by overmixing, using too much flour or baking the muffins for too long. Measure carefully and remove the muffins as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.

Can I prepare the batter in advance?

It is better to bake the batter immediately. Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, the baking powder begins working. Leaving the batter for too long can result in flatter, denser muffins.

What kind of cornmeal should I use?

Use yellow, finely ground or medium-ground cornmeal. Coarse cornmeal can make the muffins grainy and prevent them from developing the soft restaurant-style texture.

Final Thoughts

This Famous Dave’s cornbread recipe delivers the sweet flavour, fluffy centre and golden exterior that make the restaurant’s muffins so difficult to resist. Serve them warm alongside barbecue and spicy pickles, or enjoy one with honey butter as a simple snack.