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cornbread in skillet

Southern Cornbread Recipe

A light and fluffy cornbread that is perfect for spreading honey, butter, or jam on!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups ground cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour you can substitute with yellow cornmeal; it's not ideal, but it is an option
  • 1/2  cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder if you use self-rising flour, you don't need to add baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk you can make your own buttermilk by adding vinegar or lemon to fresh milk
  • 1 egg large

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F / 205°C. While it is heating, place the butter in a cast iron skillet to melt.
    butter melting in cast iron skillet
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients and blend with a whisk rather than with an eggbeater.
    mixing the dry ingredients
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk and the egg, and mix well.
    mixing milk and buttermilk
  4. Blend the wet ingredients into the dry until just moist.
    mixing cornbread ingredients
  5. Add the melted butter from the skillet and stir it into the mix saving a bit in the pan.
    cast iron skillet coated with butter
  6. Swirl the remaining butter in the pan to coat.
    adding butter to mix
  7. Pour cornbread batter into the skillet, a cake pan, or a baking dish
    pouring mixture to skillet
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Dot with butter on top after removing from oven.

Notes

  • If you use a self-rising cornmeal mix, you do not need to use the cornmeal, baking powder, or flour.
  • Optionally, you can add a cup of cheddar cheese and / or whole corn kernels, and / or minced jalapeno peppers.