Honey-Glazed Corn Casserole Recipe

Name: Honey-Glazed Corn Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cups corn kernels (fresh or thawed frozen); 1 can cream-style corn; 1/2 cup cornmeal; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup butter (melted); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 pinch salt

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Oh, have I got a treat for you today! This Honey-Glazed Corn Casserole is what comfort food dreams are made of—sweet, creamy corn elevated with a heavenly honey butter glaze that creates the most gorgeous golden top you’ve ever seen. I stumbled upon this recipe years ago when I was looking for something different than the same old corn pudding for Thanksgiving, and it’s become our family’s most requested side dish. There’s something magical about the way the honey caramelizes as it bakes, creating these little pockets of sweetness throughout the casserole. Trust me, people who swear they don’t even like corn will be asking for seconds—it’s that good!

Baked honey-glazed corn casserole topped with golden melted cheese and fresh chopped herbs in a white baking dish. — Golden, gooey, and just the right touch of sweet

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It strikes that perfect balance between sweet and savory that makes everyone at the table happy
The make-ahead friendly nature makes it perfect for holiday meals or busy weeknights
It uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry
That gorgeous golden top makes for a beautiful presentation without any fussy techniques

Ingredients

For the Corn Base:

Fresh corn kernels – cut right off the cob for that incredible sweet flavor (frozen works too when corn’s not in season)
Canned cream-style corn – the secret to that perfect creamy texture
Cornmeal – adds a wonderful texture and traditional corn flavor
All-purpose flour – helps bind everything together
Baking powder – gives the casserole a bit of lift and lightness
Sugar – enhances the natural sweetness of the corn
Eggs – provide structure and richness
Sour cream – adds a tangy creaminess that balances the sweetness
Butter – because everything’s better with butter!
Salt – brings out all those beautiful flavors

For the Honey Glaze:

Honey – the star of the show, creating a beautiful glaze as it bakes
Butter – helps the honey spread evenly and adds richness
Cinnamon – a warm spice that pairs perfectly with the honey
Salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness

The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Corn Mixture

Let’s get started on this comfort food masterpiece! Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—I like to use butter for this to add another layer of flavor. In a large bowl, combine those beautiful corn kernels, cream-style corn, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Give everything a good stir until well mixed. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, and sour cream until smooth. Now, pour those wet ingredients into the corn mixture and stir just until everything is combined—don’t overmix or you’ll lose that wonderful texture!

Step 2: Transfer to Baking Dish

Pour your corn mixture into that buttered baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer. The mixture will be fairly thick but still pourable—that’s exactly what we want! Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Honey Glaze

Now for the magic that makes this casserole special! In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, then stir in the honey, cinnamon, and that pinch of salt. Keep stirring until everything is well combined and the mixture is warm and fluid. Remove from heat and drizzle this liquid gold all over the top of your corn mixture. Don’t stir it in—we want that beautiful glaze to create a stunning top layer as it bakes!

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is beautifully golden brown. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are slightly pulled away from the sides of the dish and a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. That honey glaze will have worked its magic, creating a gorgeous caramelized top that’s absolutely irresistible!

Step 5: Rest Before Serving

This is important—let your casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives everything a chance to set up properly, making it easier to serve those perfect portions. Plus, it’ll still be wonderfully warm but not burn-your-mouth hot!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

If using frozen corn, thaw and drain it completely to prevent excess moisture in your casserole
For an extra layer of flavor, try browning your butter before adding it to the corn mixture
Don’t skip the resting time—it really helps the texture develop perfectly
For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar in the corn mixture by half (the honey glaze will still provide plenty of sweetness)

How to Serve

This Honey-Glazed Corn Casserole is incredibly versatile! It’s the perfect side dish for holiday meals alongside turkey, ham, or prime rib. For weeknight dinners, pair it with grilled chicken or pork chops for a meal that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. It travels well for potlucks and always disappears first! For a beautiful presentation, sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves or chives over the top just before serving—that pop of green against the golden casserole is absolutely stunning.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead Options

This casserole is perfect for make-ahead meal planning! You can prepare the entire corn mixture and transfer it to your baking dish up to 24 hours in advance—just cover tightly and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, prepare the honey glaze fresh, drizzle it over the top, and bake as directed, adding about 5-10 extra minutes to the cooking time since you’re starting with a cold dish.

Refrigerator Storage

Leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually continue to develop, making it even more delicious the next day!

Reheating Tips

To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the oven helps maintain that wonderful texture better.

FAQs

Can I use all frozen corn instead of the cream-style corn?

While frozen corn is a great substitute for fresh corn kernels, I wouldn’t recommend replacing the cream-style corn completely. That creamy corn provides essential moisture and a silky texture that’s hard to replicate. If you’re in a pinch, you could blend about 1 cup of your frozen corn with a bit of heavy cream or half-and-half to create a homemade “cream-style” corn substitute, but the canned version really does add something special to this recipe. The combination of whole kernels and cream-style corn is what gives this casserole that perfect balance of texture—creamy but with delightful pops of corn in every bite!

Is there a way to make this recipe healthier without losing the flavor?

Absolutely! This comfort food classic can be tweaked for a healthier profile while still keeping its delicious essence. Try substituting Greek yogurt for the sour cream to reduce fat while maintaining that creamy tanginess. You can also cut the sugar in half (or even omit it entirely if your corn is particularly sweet) and reduce the butter by about 25%. For the glaze, try using a bit less butter and compensating with a splash of vanilla extract for flavor. These modifications will lighten it up without sacrificing that wonderful comfort food experience that makes this dish so special!

My family doesn’t like cinnamon. What can I use instead in the honey glaze?

Not a cinnamon fan? No problem! There are several delicious alternatives that pair beautifully with honey. Try a pinch of nutmeg for warmth without the distinct cinnamon flavor, or a tiny bit of ground ginger for a subtle zing. For a completely different but equally delicious direction, add some finely grated orange zest to the honey glaze—the citrus notes complement the sweet corn wonderfully. Another option is to keep it simple with just honey, butter, and a touch more vanilla extract. The beauty of this recipe is how adaptable it is to different flavor preferences!

Can I make this recipe in advance and freeze it?

This is such a practical question for busy holiday planning! Yes, you can freeze this casserole, but I recommend a specific approach for best results. Prepare the corn mixture and bake it WITHOUT the honey glaze. Cool completely, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then prepare the honey glaze fresh. Drizzle the glaze over the thawed casserole and reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through and the top gets that beautiful golden color, about 25-30 minutes. This method preserves the texture much better than freezing with the glaze already applied!