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- My husband and I like cooking turkey in my crockpot, covered with Swanson chicken broth. Is it healthier than baking in...
- Betty, when a recipe calls for "half and half," what does it mean? --Marie
- Why isn't my homemade cake as light and fluffy as a cake from a box? --Lynn
- When making an old-fashioned cherry pie with cherries you just picked, do you cook your cherries with sugar and...
Crumbly Corn Bread
Can you tell me what I am doing wrong when I make corn bread? When I cut into it just falls apart. What am I doing wrong? Thanks,
—Ruth
Hi Ruth,
There are couple of things that can cause too-crumbly cornbread. If you have too much cornmeal in proportion to flour, there won’t be enough gluten to hold the bread together. So try using a little less cornmeal, or a little more flour. And make sure that you aren’t using a lower-protein flour like cake flour; all-purpose flour works best for me. And don’t use too much fat in the recipe—it can make cornbread very tender, but it can also make it fall apart. And finally, don’t overbake the bread—a too-hot oven, or leaving the corn bread in too long, will dry out the bread and make it crumbly.
You might want to try my traditional Skillet Corn Bread recipe; it's terrific. Or, if you’re feeling a little Tex-Mex, you should try my Mexican Rice Cornbread.

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QuestionI once had a recipe for strawberry bread, but I've misplaced or lost it. If you could help I would appreciate it very much. --DavidMarch 2012
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QuestionI recently bought raw honey to use in cooking or baking. I am at a loss for ideas. Do you have any? --AthenaMarch 2012
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QuestionWhat are traditional New Year's foods? --PhyllisMarch 2012
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Question
Hi again, Regarding boiled icing, I don't understand why after an hour or two my icing would get watery. Is there something I did wrong? Thanks!
June 2012 -
QuestionDo you have a recipe for a good traditional Thanksgiving turkey gravy? Thank you. --DeliaMarch 2012
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Question
How do you adjust recipes for high altitudes, especially cakes and brownies?
--Jerry
July 2012 -
QuestionI've heard that you can prepare sweet potatoes and all side dishes ahead and then freeze them. If this is done, then how do you prepare them so they're not overcooked on Thanksgiving, i.e., dressing, sweet potatoes, casseroles, etc? --PattyMarch 2012
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QuestionHey Betty! I love to cook and really want to try to make a cheesecake. Do you have any good recipes for a quick, easy, and delicious cheesecake? Thank you, --SophiaMarch 2012
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QuestionI am looking for a recipe for homemade scalloped potatoes made from scratch. --SandieMarch 2012
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No tip. No question. Just that your recipes and tips remind me of my mother. She must be thinking about me. Thanks,
–LizMay 2013





