Cranberry Skillet Cornbread (Christmas Cornbread)

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Warm, rustic, and bursting with tart cranberries, this Cranberry Honey Skillet Cornbread is the perfect festive side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter gathering. Baked in cast iron for a golden crust and drizzled with honey for sweetness! Perfect for the oven or the smoker.

Cornbread, Holiday-Style!

At Backyard Texas Grill, we love taking classic Southern staples (like our delicious homemade honey cornbread) and giving them a fresh twist—especially when it involves seasonal ingredients.

This skillet cornbread recipe comes straight from my own kitchen, created after spotting fresh cranberries in the fridge and wanting something quick, rustic, and festive for a holiday gathering. (Side note: I always keep a lot of cranberries on hand during the holidays because you just never know when you’re going to need them.)

Because we’re both home cooks and cast-iron enthusiasts, we rigorously test every recipe we share to ensure it delivers great texture, balanced flavor, and reliable results on both the smoker and in a traditional oven. This Cranberry Honey Skillet Cornbread checks all those boxes and more.

Is it a Bread or a Dessert?

The inevitable question.

Friends, it’s both. When I took my first bite of this recipe, I knew we had a winner. Those tart berries were beautifully balanced in the sweet cornbread. The whole thing was slightly reminiscent of a dessert, which pretty much had me questioning everything I thought I knew about cornbread.

It also had me wondering what else I could use in cornbread to make it more dessert-like. (Stay tuned! I’ve got a Pecan Pie cornbread coming up soon!)

The joy of this recipe is the contrast of flavors. Once you drizzle honey over the top, you will truly understnd what I mean when I say this is one of my all-time favorites, and not just during the holidays.

But. . .speaking of the holidays. . .

I plan to make this on Christmas Day. It’s just too pretty and special not to. And those cranberries will be the perfect fit on our Christmas table.

But let’s don’t wait until then to whip up a batch. Whether you want to make yours in the oven or on the smoker, you can make a batch in a hurry and serve it up as a side or a dessert. . .your choice!

Things to Love About This Recipe

• Uses fresh cranberries in a fun, unexpected way
• Bakes up in one skillet—easy prep and easy cleanup
• Golden, crisp edges thanks to the preheated cast iron
• Honey drizzle adds a beautiful finishing touch
• Perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, or brunch
• Versatile—enjoy it sweet, savory, or somewhere in between

Cranberry Skillet Cornbread Ingredients

You will find a recipe card at the bottom of this post. Feel free to print it. But here’s a quick look at what you will need. These are all simple ingredients. And by the way, if you don’t have buttermilk you can use a cup of milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice. That’s what I did.

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar (use ⅓ cup for a less sweet version)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra tenderness)
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but lovely)
• 1 cup chopped fresh cranberries
• 2–3 tablespoons honey (for drizzling)

Optional Add-Ins

• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• Extra sugar for sprinkling over the top

How to Make Cranberry Honey Skillet Cornbread

This comes together so easily! You’re going to wonder why you ever used a box!

Step 1: Preheat Your Skillet

Place a 10–12 inch cast iron skillet in your oven or smoker and heat to 400°F. A hot skillet ensures crisp edges.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:

• cornmeal
• flour
• sugar
• baking powder
• salt

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk:

• milk
• eggs
• vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• vanilla

Step 4: Combine

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Add Cranberries

Fold the chopped cranberries into the batter. Add pecans or zest if desired.

Step 6: Prepare Your Skillet

Carefully remove the hot cast iron skillet from the oven.
Add 1–2 tablespoons butter and swirl to coat the bottom and sides.

Step 7: Bake

Pour the batter into the sizzling skillet and smooth the top.

Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 8: Finish with Honey

While still warm, drizzle honey over the top. It melts into the cornbread and adds beautiful shine and sweetness.

Slice and serve straight from the skillet.

Expert Tip

• Use buttermilk for a softer, more tender crumb.
• Don’t skip preheating the skillet—it’s what gives you that amazing crust.
• Chop cranberries fairly small so they disperse evenly.
• Add sanding sugar on top for sparkle and holiday flair.
• Want a sweeter option? Add an extra tablespoon of honey inside the batter.

Smoker Method

Make this on your smoker at 400°F, keeping the skillet covered for the first 5–7 minutes. Adds a subtle smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the cranberries.

How to Store Your Skillet Cornbread

• Room Temperature: Cover and store up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze up to 3 months.

To reheat: Warm slices in the oven at 300°F for 8–10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve alongside Thanksgiving dinner
• Pair with smoked turkey or brisket
• Add a dollop of butter or whipped honey
• Slice into wedges for a party appetizer table

How to Make Cranberry Honey Skillet Cornbread on the Smoker

This skillet cornbread does beautifully on the smoker and picks up a light, subtle smoke that pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries and honey.

Smoker Instructions

1. Preheat your smoker to 400°F.
   (Pellet smokers work especially well for this recipe.)
2. Place your cast iron skillet in the smoker while it preheats so it gets hot—this helps create crisp edges.
3. Prepare the cornbread batter as directed.
4. Carefully remove the hot skillet, add 1–2 tablespoons butter, and swirl to coat.
5. Pour the batter into the skillet and place it back on the smoker.
6. Smoke uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until:
   • the top is set and lightly golden
   • a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
7. Remove from the smoker and immediately drizzle with honey while warm.

Best Wood Choices

• Apple
• Pecan
• Maple

(Avoid heavy woods like mesquite—this recipe shines with a gentle smoke.)

Smoker Tip

If the top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the final few minutes. The cornbread should stay moist inside with crisp, golden edges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes—use ½ cup dried. The texture will be slightly sweeter and chewier.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, replace the flour with a GF all-purpose blend and ensure your cornmeal is certified gluten-free.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely—use a 12-inch skillet or two 8–9 inch cast iron pans.

Do I need to thaw frozen cranberries?

Nope! Use them frozen and add a minute or two to the bake time.

What are some fun variations?

You can add anything you like to cornbread, from savory to sweet. Things to consider would be jalapenos, cheese, ground sausage, taco meat, or even sweet offerings like fresh berries. (I’m thinking raspberry or blackberry!)

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More Cast Iron Favorites on Backyard Texas Grill

Here are some of our favorite cast iron recipes:

• Pumpkin Spice Skillet Cake: This cozy Pumpkin Spice Cake is baked in a cast-iron skillet right on the grill (or in your oven)! Made with a boxed spice cake mix and creamy pumpkin puree, it’s the perfect easy dessert for fall cookouts and holiday gatherings.
• Spiced Apple Dump Cake (Cast Iron): Warm, gooey apples meet buttery spiced cake in this easy Spiced Apple Dump Cake. Grilled to perfection in a cast-iron skillet—perfect for fall!
• Orange Cranberry Skillet Cake: Bake a bright, festive Orange Cranberry Skillet Cake using canned mandarins and fresh cranberries. Easy, rustic, and perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Cornbread Dressing: You can easily make our cornbread dressing in a cast iron skillet on the smoker or in the oven.
• Cast Iron Peach Dump Cake: Make this easy Cast Iron Peach Dump Cake right on the grill! With smoky flavor, sweet peaches, and a golden cake topping, it’s the perfect summer dessert for BBQs, cookouts, and backyard gatherings.

That’s it for this post, friends. If you make this cornbread and love it, please leave a review. And, before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?