Go Back
–+ servings
Southern Cornbread slice on a plate
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Southern Cornbread

A simple recipe for Southern Cornbread.  You can't go wrong.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Southern Cornbread, Corn bread, Southern Corn Bread
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Butter, Shortening or Lard (Lard is best)
  • 2 Cups Self Rising Corn Meal Mix (make sure it isn't plain cornmeal)
  • 1 1/4 Cups Whole Milk
  • 1 Large Egg beaten
  • 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 9 or 10" cast iron skillet with the butter/shortening by rubbing a thin layer all over the inside of the pan. Place the pan into the oven on a center rack while the oven preheats. Once oven is preheated, allow pan to stay in the oven another 5 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the corn meal mix, whole milk, large egg, vegetable oil and salt and pepper. Mix very well removing all lumps. Use a whisk if lumps are a problem
  • Once the oven has come to temp, allow the skillet to remain in the oven for a few more minutes. Gather together the following items at the stove: Cornbread batter, good hot pad/oven mitt, rubber spatula.
  • As quickly as possible, open the oven, pull the rack that the pan is sitting on out where you can easily pour the batter into the pan without getting burned (use your oven mitt). Use the rubber spatula to quickly scrape all of the cornbread batter into the skillet. You should hear some sizzling (that is good because that is a crusty bottom on your cornbread developing!).
  • Using your oven mitt, push the rack and skillet back into the oven and shut the oven door and don't dare open it again for at least 15 minutes. The cornbread is done when it has risen and is golden across the surface. You will probably notice some C shaped cracks near the edges of the cornbread and that is fine.
  • When done, remove from the oven and serve right away.  Hot butter is the best garnish!  :) 

Notes

  • Use a good quality  9” cast iron skillet for this job.
  • A paper towel or a butter wrapper makes an ideal application tool to spread the oil, grease, lard onto the skillet to prepare it before the batter.
  • If you want a crispy southern cornbread crust then you need to get that pan in the oven as it preheats and allow it to stay in there for a full 5 minutes after the oven comes to temp.  It can be a little scary pouring the batter into the very hot pan, but a crispy crust is not for the faint of heart.
  • Resist the urge to peek to check on your cornbread.  Every time you open the door, you reduce the temperature. Cornbread requires a SCREAMING hot oven ya’ll.
  • Prepare your southern cornbread as close to dinner time as possible, hot cornbread right out of the oven is the best dinner time experience ever.
  • Serve your southern cornbread with REAL butter.  Don’t skimp. Go for it.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal