Classic Cornbread

By rschierholz

From Southern Living

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
• 3 tablespoons warm bacon drippings, divided
• 1 1/2 cups stone-ground yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 cup milk

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Place 1 Tbsp. melted butter and 1 Tbsp. bacon drippings in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet; heat in oven 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, sift together cornmeal and next 5 ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together egg and both milks; whisk into cornmeal mixture just until combined. Whisk in remaining 3 Tbsp. butter and 2 Tbsp. drippings. Pour into hot skillet.

3. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan, and serve. Or cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour).