Brendas Cornbread Recipes

GINA'S CRUSTY CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven and heat it for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the batter.
• Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs and melted butter.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture into the well. Use a fork or spatula to stir the batter until evenly combined.
• Remove the hot skillet from the oven, add the fat and swirl to coat the bottom. Pour the batter into the skillet and, using a spatula, spread the batter evenly across the pan. Bake until lightly golden brown, firm and springy to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes (see Cook's Note). Remove from the oven and serve directly from the skillet, if desired.

BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into a well-seasoned 9-inch cast-iron skillet (see Cook's Note) and place over medium-high heat. Pour the cornmeal into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the cornmeal and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. With a fork, stir in enough of the buttermilk to make a batter that is thick but can be easily poured into the hot skillet. You may not need all 3 cups.
• Carefully pour the batter into the skillet. The oil will come up around the edges. Use the back of a spoon to smooth this over the top of the batter. Continue to heat on the stovetop for 1 minute, then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the cornbread until browned on top, about 20 minutes. Immediately turn the cornbread out onto a cooling rack to keep the crust crisp.

MOM'S SWEET BUTTERMILK CORN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Pour vegetable oil into a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and swirl oil to coat bottom and sides of skillet. Place skillet into preheated oven until very hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove skillet from oven.
• Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat eggs in a separate bowl and stir buttermilk into eggs. Pour half (2 tablespoons) of vegetable oil from the hot skillet into buttermilk mixture, retaining remaining oil in skillet, and beat until oil is incorporated. Mix buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients to make a smooth batter. Pour batter into skillet.
• Bake in the oven until top is golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Cut cornbread into servings while in skillet; serve warm.