Skip to main content

Cornbread Stuffing with Fresh and Dried Fruit

Buttermilk-enriched cornbread combines with onions, apples, dried apricots, and prunes in this simple and versatile Thanksgiving stuffing. While prep is fairly minimal, take note: You’ll need to dry the bread overnight, so be sure to start this recipe the day before. And if you’d like to offer a vegetarian-friendly option, swap a high-quality vegetable stock for the chicken broth.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Buttery Cornbread (recipe follows)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 cups chopped onions
4 cups chopped unpeeled McIntosh or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 large)
2 cups chopped celery with leaves
24 pitted prunes, diced (about 10 ounces)
12 dried apricot halves, diced (about 2 ounces)
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
2 teaspoons kosher or other coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the bread lengthwise into 1-inch-wide slices. Place on a baking sheet; cover with a kitchen towel and let dry overnight. Cut the bread slices into 1-inch cubes.

    Step 2

    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish. Melt the butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the apples and celery; sauté until celery begins to soften, about 10 minutes. Scrape the contents of the skillet into a very large bowl. Add the prunes, apricots, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and thyme; toss. Add the dried bread cubes and toss until evenly combined. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared dish. Pour the broth evenly over.

    Step 3

    Bake the stuffing uncovered until heated through and the top begins to form a crust, about 40 minutes.

The Epicurious Cookbook
Read More
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.