The Canned Vegetable Butter Topping That Takes Cornbread To The Next Level

Affable yet no-nonsense celebrity chef and "Iron Chef" competitor Alex Guarnaschelli knows a thing or two about butter. In fact, Butter is the name of the restaurant where she became executive chef in 2003. So, it should be no surprise that she delights in anointing her food with luxurious flourishes. In this case, she raises the bar for her already tempting cornbread, which she packs with added creamed corn to keep it moist, by finishing it with a butter made from canned creamed corn.

In a video shared to YouTube, Guarnaschelli mixes a quarter can of creamed corn tidbits (which conveniently happens to be the exact remaining amount if you make her cornbread recipe) with fresh cracked pepper and half a stick of soft butter. The ingredients are few and, yes, one comes from a can, but what you gain is, in her words, "a little buttery jammy thing" that's completely packed with flavor. It's a take on compound butter that works its magic on this iconic Southern side, elevating it from basic to refined.

To further amp up the flavors of Alex Guarnaschelli's clever creation, consider drizzling in some hot honey for kick. You could also brown the butter for a tempting, deep nutty-tasting (and smelling) take, or add spices such as paprika and crushed chili flakes for a Mexican corn play. If you're making cornbread from scratch, don't forget that a tender, slightly crunchy canned creamed corn butter canvas comes to life in a cast iron skillet lovingly coated in, you guessed it, plenty more butter.

A dab, or several lashings, of this corn butter concoction on a waiting wedge of warm cornbread is a thing of beauty. One bite and you're sold on how it doubles down on the corn flavors in all the best ways, and makes each mouthful taste richer. If you like the way this quick canned creamed corn butter makes your cornbread shine, consider using it to set your baked potato apart from the rest. One thing is for sure: After seeing how much more decadent it makes your cornbread feel inside and out, you won't ever look at that humble can of creamed corn the same way again.