Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups (320g) yellow cornmeal
• 1 tbsp (12g) baking powder
• 1 tsp (6g) salt
• 1/2 tsp (3g) black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups (355ml) full-fat buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp (28g) melted unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp (28g) butter or bacon drippings
• 1 tbsp cold butter (for topping)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place your cast iron skillet directly on the oven rack to heat up.

2. 2

   Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and add your bacon drippings or butter. Swirl it around until the fat is shimmering and hot.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and pepper.

4. 4

   In a separate jug, beat the eggs into the buttermilk and melted butter.

5. 5

   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir with a spatula only until the cornmeal streaks disappear.

6. 6

   Carefully pour the batter into the hot, sizzling skillet. Smooth the top and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges pull away from the sides and the top is deep golden-brown.

7. 7

   Remove from the oven and immediately rub a cold pat of butter over the top surface. Let it rest in the skillet for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.