If you’re tired of being burned by bad cornbread then you’re sure to love this recipe.
Cornbread is a classic sidekick for barbecue with good reason. The corn flavor and texture is a perfect foil for sweet BBQ sauce and Southern Sweet Tea. You can eat it straight, or you can butter it. A compound butter with honey, molasses, or herbs will generate smiles. It also makes a fabulous breakfast substitute for pancakes or waffles, warm, with a dab of butter, and a pour of maple syrup. In Central Florida where I was raised, it was served warm topped with honey.
In the South, cornbread is not sweet. Elsewhere, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, cornbread is sweeter and more cake-like. I compromise, with just a touch of sweetness for this delicious BBQ and grilling side dish.
Classic cornbread is baked in a cast iron skillet greased with bacon fat, lard, or other meat grease. Cooking with the hot black metal creates a brown crunchy crust that really amps up the flavor and texture. This recipe is designed for a 12″ cast iron skillet, but if you don’t have one, you can use a 10″ cast iron skillet, or any other skillet, or an 8 x 8 x 2″ oven safe glass baking dish. You can even use a metal baking pan if that’s all you have, but it won’t brown as well as a black pan. If you use anything except the 12″ skillet, the cooking time will be different, so use the toothpick test described below. In a narrower pan the mass of batter is thicker and will take longer.
Classic Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Makes:
Takes:
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Morton Coarse Kosher Salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted (it doesn't matter if it is salted or unsalted)
- 1/4 cup sweet corn kernels (optional)
- 1/4 cup sweet bell pepper, chopped into 1/4" chunks
Additional Ingredients/tested-recipes/vegetable-slaw-salad-and-dressing-recipes/ultimate-grilled-corn-cob-recipe
- 1 tablespoon butter to grease the pan
These recipes were created in US Customary measurements and the conversion to metric is being done by calculations. They should be accurate, but it is possible there could be an error. If you find one, please let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page
Method
- Fire up. Pre-heat the oven or grill to 400°F (204°C) and put the skillet on the rack to preheat it.
- Prep. In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: Cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs lightly. Then add the honey and whisk for about 30 seconds. Then add the the sour cream, whisk, melted butter, and whisk until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until everything is mixed, only about 30 seconds. The batter will be lumpy. That's what you want. Now add the corn, red pepper, any other add-ins, and stir gently until they are evenly distributed. It is important that you do not overmix.
- Cook. Take the skillet out of the oven and add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Roll the butter around as it melts coating the inside of the pan, including the sides. Yes, I know that's a lot of butter. You will thank me later. You'll be tempted, but you won't need more. Work quickly so the pan doesn't cool.
- Pour in the batter, level it more or less. Place in the hot oven. Work quickly.
- Cook until the top is golden and a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry, about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure the edges don't burn.
- Serve. Cool for about 10 minutes and serve.
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