Additional Coverage:
- I tried 4 cornbread mixes from the grocery store, and the best was less than $1 (businessinsider.com)
Cornbread Mix Showdown: From Budget-Friendly to Stone-Ground, Which Reigns Supreme?
While homemade cornbread is my usual go-to, the convenience of a mix is undeniable. With so many options lining grocery store shelves, I decided to put four popular brands to the test: Bob’s Red Mill, Marie Callender’s, Jiffy, and Simple Truth Organic.
Bob’s Red Mill, the priciest of the bunch at $5.99 for 24 ounces, boasted stone-ground ingredients. While the earthy flavor was pleasant, the dry texture needed a generous helping of butter for improvement.
Marie Callender’s “just add water” mix, a steal at $3.79 for 16 ounces, surprised me with its decent flavor and moist texture. Though it took longer to bake than the package indicated, the result was a golden-brown cornbread with a satisfyingly dense crumb.
Childhood favorite Jiffy offered both classic and vegetarian options. I chose the latter (two boxes for $0.65!)
and was delighted by the sweet, spongy cornbread. It was the perfect balance of flavor and texture, delicious even without butter.
Simple Truth Organic, the second most expensive at $4.79 for 16 ounces, offered a gluten-free option. While the crispy exterior and moist interior provided a pleasing textural contrast, the sweetness was a bit overwhelming.
The Verdict: While all but one were enjoyable, Jiffy’s vegetarian mix emerged as the clear winner. Its unbeatable price, delightful texture, and balanced sweetness make it a pantry staple. Marie Callender’s and Simple Truth Organic are worthy contenders, but Bob’s Red Mill, despite its wholesome ingredients, fell short.
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- I tried 4 cornbread mixes from the grocery store, and the best was less than $1 (businessinsider.com)