Savory Southern Cracklin' Cornbread
Indulge in the rich, mouthwatering flavor of Southern Cracklin' Cornbread, a quintessential side that embodies the heart and soul of Southern cooking. This cornbread is delightfully moist and decadently flavored, thanks to crispy cracklings and the unique essence of bacon drippings. Perfectly golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside, it's the ideal accompaniment to barbecues, chili, or even enjoyed on its own. As we say in the South, this cornbread is so good, it’ll make you want to sing and dance – just mind the mama slapping!
16
Servings
180
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
cornmeal
4 cups (uncooked)
baking soda
2 teaspoons (dry)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (dry)
eggs
4 (beaten)
buttermilk
4 cups (liquid)
bacon drippings
1/3 cup (melted)
cracklings
1 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, baking soda, and salt.
3
Add the beaten eggs and buttermilk to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
4
In a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan, heat the bacon drippings in the oven until they are hot and shimmering.
5
Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and pour the sizzling bacon drippings into the batter, adding the chopped cracklings as well. Mix until well incorporated.
6
Pour the batter back into the hot pan and spread it evenly.
7
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8
Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares and serving warm.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
15g
Carbs
3.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Southern Cracklin' Cornbread?
It is a traditional Southern side dish that is moist and decadently flavored with crispy cracklings and bacon drippings.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 16 servings.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C).
What are the main dry ingredients?
The dry ingredients consist of 4 cups of cornmeal, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
How much cornmeal is needed?
The recipe requires 4 cups of uncooked cornmeal.
How many eggs are used in the batter?
There are 4 beaten eggs used in this recipe.
What type of milk is used for the batter?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of liquid buttermilk.
What size baking pan should I use?
A 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan is recommended.
How much bacon drippings are required?
You will need 1/3 cup of melted bacon drippings.
What are cracklings and how much do I need?
Cracklings are rendered pork pieces, and the recipe requires 1 cup of chopped cracklings.
How should the cracklings be prepared?
The cracklings should be chopped before being added to the batter.
How are the bacon drippings incorporated into the recipe?
The drippings are heated in the pan until shimmering, then poured sizzling into the batter.
What is the total bake time?
The cornbread bakes for 25 to 30 minutes.
How do I know when the cornbread is finished baking?
It is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 180 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 12 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does one serving provide?
Each serving provides 3.8 grams of protein.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 7 ingredients required.
Is this cornbread moist or dry?
This cornbread is described as delightfully moist and fluffy on the inside.
What gives this cornbread its rich flavor?
The unique essence of bacon drippings and the addition of crispy cracklings provide the rich flavor.
What are the best foods to serve with this cornbread?
It is an ideal accompaniment to barbecues, chili, or can be enjoyed on its own.
What color should the cornbread be when finished?
The cornbread should be baked until it reaches a golden brown color.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
Does the pan need to be heated before adding the batter?
Yes, the bacon drippings should be heated in the pan in the oven until they are hot and shimmering.
What category of food is this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Breads.
How much baking soda is required?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of dry baking soda.
How much salt is included in the dry mix?
The recipe includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of dry salt.
Should the cornbread be served immediately after baking?
It is recommended to allow the cornbread to cool slightly before cutting it into squares and serving warm.
Does this recipe contain any added sugar?
No, based on the provided ingredients, this is a savory recipe with no added sugar.