Vegan Corn Bread / Mieliebrood
A delightful vegan rendition of the classic South African Mieliebrood, or corn bread. This recipe yields a beautifully moist, tender, and slightly crumbly bread with a rich golden hue and a subtle sweet corn flavour. Baked to perfection and generously glazed with a sticky, shimmering golden syrup, it offers a comforting balance of sweetness and wholesome goodness. Ideal as a dessert, a hearty snack, or a unique accompaniment to savoury dishes. Free from eggs, dairy, and all animal products, yet bursting with traditional warmth and flavour.
Shared by semy
Time
50 min
Serves
5
Difficulty
easy
🛒 Ingredients
- #For the Corn Bread;
- 150 g fine cornmeal (mieliemeel).. 150 g all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder.. ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- ¼ tsp salt.. 100 g cane sugar
- 250 ml unsweetened plant-based milk (soy, oat, or almond)
- 80 ml vegetable oil (e.g., sunflower or canola)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.. 1 tsp vanilla extract
- #For the Golden Syrup Glaze;
- 60 ml golden syrup (check for vegan suitability, or use maple syrup/agave)
- 2 tbsp water
👩🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- 2
Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and sugar. Mix well to combine thoroughly.
- 3
Mix wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine.
- 4
Bake the bread: Pour the batter into a lightly greased 20x20 cm (8x8 inch) baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30–35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- 5
Prepare the glaze: While the corn bread is baking, gently heat the golden syrup and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until well combined and slightly thinned.
- 6
Glaze and serve: Once the corn bread is out of the oven, immediately pour or brush the warm golden syrup glaze evenly over the top. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to allow the glaze to soak in. Cut into squares and serve warm. It's delicious on its own or with a scoop of vegan ice cream.