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Crispy Bacon Fat Cornbread

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A nostalgic and easy-to-make cornbread recipe featuring a crispy bacon fat crust and buttery richness, perfect for gatherings and cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (120g) yellow or white cornmeal, stone-ground preferred
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 4 tablespoons rendered bacon fat (from about 6 slices of bacon)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Render the bacon fat by cooking 6 slices of bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Remove bacon, leaving about 4 tablespoons of fat in the pan. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and chop once cooled.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the skillet with bacon fat inside the oven to heat up while preparing the batter.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until fluffy, then stir in buttermilk and melted unsalted butter.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Fold in chopped cooked bacon evenly throughout the batter.
  7. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts and pour the batter in, spreading evenly. You should hear a slight sizzle.
  8. Place the skillet back in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cornbread rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the buttery crust to set.

Notes

Preheat the skillet with bacon fat before adding batter to ensure a crispy crust. Do not overmix the batter to keep the crumb tender. If edges brown too quickly, tent with foil after 15 minutes. Let cornbread cool before slicing for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread, bacon fat, crispy crust, buttery crust, easy cornbread, potluck recipe, southern cornbread, bacon cornbread

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/crispy-bacon-fat-cornbread-recipe-easy-homemade-buttery-crust-guide/