by Diana Rattray
Bits of crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese flavor this savory Southern buttermilk cornbread. Add pepper jack cheese instead of the cheddar for extra heat, or mince a jalapeno pepper and mix it into the batter. The best crust comes from a hot cast iron skillet, but a metal baking pan (9-inch) will work as well.
PrintSouthern Bacon Cheddar Cornbread
Bacon and cheddar cheese added to the batter makes this Southern cornbread a savory delight with smoky flavor and texture from the bacon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil plus a few teaspoons for the skillet
- 4 to 6 strips bacon, cooked crisp, drained, crumbled, drippings reserved for the skillet
- 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded Cheddar cheese, mild or sharp
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, 12 ounces
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 F.
- Put a few teaspoons of vegetable oil in the skillet along with 2 to 3 teaspoons of reserved bacon drippings, or coat the skillet with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Place the skillet in the oven to heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the crumbled bacon with the cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and shredded cheese. Stir to blend; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the 1/4 cup of vegetable oil with the eggs and buttermilk. Whisk to blend thoroughly.
- When the oven has come to temperature, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and place it on a trivet.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until well blended. Immediately pour the cornbread batter into the hot skillet; return the skillet to the oven.
- Bake the cornbread for 22 to 25 minutes, or until nicely browned and crusty looking around the edges.
- Remove to a rack to cool slightly before cutting.
- Slice the cooled cornbread into wedges and serve it with chili, beans, or greens.
