Skillet Cornbread With Bacon Fat and Brown Sugar

A rich and flavorful Southern-style cornbread made in a cast-iron skillet with stone-ground cornmeal, buttermilk, and bacon fat. The addition of brown sugar gives it a subtle sweetness while maintaining its traditional savory character.

8 servings
50 min

Ingredients

  • cups fine white stone-ground cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • teaspoons salt
  • 3 whole large eggs
  • cups buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons rendered bacon fat or lard

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat the oven to 425°F.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk the cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and brown sugar in another bowl until smooth.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Heat the bacon fat in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet until liquid. Swirl it around to coat the bottom and sides of the skillet, then pour the rest into the batter.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Whisk the batter until smooth, then pour into the hot skillet. Immediately transfer to the oven.

    2 min

  6. 6.

    Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.

    25 min