Best 8 Cast Iron Cornbread Recipes

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A staple of Southern cuisine, cast iron skillet cornbread is a delightful treat that combines the sweet flavor of cornmeal with the crispy texture of a well-seasoned skillet. This article offers a collection of recipes that explore the diverse possibilities of cast iron cornbread, from classic to creative.

The first recipe, Classic Cast Iron Cornbread, stays true to the traditional Southern style, featuring a simple blend of cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, buttermilk, and butter. This no-frills approach allows the natural flavors of the cornmeal to shine through, resulting in a golden-brown, slightly crumbly loaf with a tender interior.

Next, the Skillet Cornbread with Bacon and Cheddar recipe takes the classic cornbread up a notch with the addition of crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. The bacon adds a savory smokiness, while the cheddar cheese provides a gooey, melted goodness that complements the sweetness of the cornbread perfectly.

For those seeking a healthier option, the article includes a recipe for Whole Wheat Cast Iron Cornbread. This version swaps out some of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour, resulting in a cornbread that is not only delicious but also packed with fiber and nutrients.

Finally, the Sweet Cornbread with Berries and Cream recipe adds a touch of sweetness and freshness to the classic cornbread. Mixed berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are folded into the batter, giving the cornbread a vibrant pop of color and flavor. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top takes this cornbread to the next level of indulgence.

With its detailed instructions and helpful tips, this article provides home cooks of all skill levels with the tools they need to create delicious cast iron cornbread that is sure to please everyone at the table.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CAST IRON CORNBREAD



Cast Iron Cornbread image

When it comes to deciding what to bring to a cookout, this super easy cast iron cornbread is the clear winner. You don't even need a cast iron pan! Ribs or brisket are great, though not cheap, while a bag of chips is just weak sauce. On the other hand, this cornbread is very inexpensive to make, but that'll be the last thing anyone will be thinking about as they eat. In fact, you'll probably be asked to bring it to the next gathering!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Bread     Quick Bread Recipes     Cornbread Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup cornmeal
½ teaspoon fine salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons honey, or to taste
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups buttermilk
1 cup self-rising flour

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Melt butter in a cast iron skillet. Turn off heat and set butter aside until needed.
  • Combine cornmeal, salt, cayenne, honey, eggs, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Add flour and 1/2 the butter from the pan; whisk again. Pour batter over the remaining butter in the skillet
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool briefly before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281 calories, Carbohydrate 34.1 g, Cholesterol 78.8 mg, Fat 13.6 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 412.6 mg, Sugar 9.1 g

CORNBREAD TOPPED CAST-IRON SKILLET CHILI



Cornbread Topped Cast-Iron Skillet Chili image

Cook chili, bake cornbread and serve dinner in a single skillet. The steam from this chunky, spicy, deep-red chili gives the cornbread topping an extra-fluffy texture.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup fine cornmeal, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting beef
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, sliced
3 to 4 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Two 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes with chiles, drained
One 14.5-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
4 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup (about 3 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper and toss with 1 tablespoon of the flour and 1 tablespoon of the cornmeal. Add the beef to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned, 6 to 10 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add the chili powder (use less if you like milder chili) and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, beans and 1 tablespoon of the sugar and bring to simmer. Cook until the meat becomes tender and the sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes. If the liquid reduces to less than three-quarters of the way up the sides of the meat, stir in a little water.
  • Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Whisk the remaining 3/4 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl. Whisk the sour cream, milk and egg together in another bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until well combined. Stir in the melted butter and Cheddar cheese. Drop oval-shaped spoonfuls of batter on top of the chili, leaving space in between. The batter will not completely cover the chili.
  • Bake until the cornbread is golden brown and springs back when touched, and the chili is hot and bubbly, about 17 minutes. Remove the skillet from the oven and serve with more sour cream.

CAST IRON SKILLET BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD



Cast Iron Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread image

This recipe is for those people that do not like sweet cornbread. For me, this is my comfort food and what I grew up on.

Provided by Dannielle Randall

Categories     Bread     Quick Bread Recipes     Cornbread Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup white cornmeal
½ cup yellow cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons lard
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon butter, or as needed
1 pinch paprika
1 pinch kosher salt

Steps:

  • Place a cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Mix white cornmeal, yellow cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, lard, and vegetable oil; stir will to combine. Stir in egg until smooth batter forms.
  • Remove hot cast iron skillet from oven, melt butter in skillet, then pour in batter. Top with paprika and kosher salt. Return skillet to oven.
  • Reduce temperature to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and bake until cornbread is golden brown and pulling away from the sides of the pan, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove from oven to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Cut into wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 201.7 calories, Carbohydrate 26.7 g, Cholesterol 28.9 mg, Fat 8.8 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 635.1 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

EMERIL'S CAST-IRON HONEY CORNBREAD



Emeril's Cast-Iron Honey Cornbread image

Here's a great way to cook a whole meal outdoors: Make cornbread in a cast-iron skillet right on the grill, alongside your meat! Now, don't skip the honey-butter topping -- slather it on the hot cornbread and watch 'em come running.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes     Bread Recipes

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey

Steps:

  • Heat grill to low. Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on grill to heat. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and melted butter. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
  • Place oil and 1 tablespoon room-temperature butter in hot skillet; brush to coat bottom and side. Pour in batter. Grill, covered, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 12 minutes.
  • Combine honey with 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter. Brush mixture on cornbread. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve warm.
  • Oven Method:Bake in skillet at 400 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes.

MARY'S CAST IRON SKILLET CORNBREAD



Mary's Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread image

Have been perfecting this cornbread recipe for years. My Southern family does not like sweet cornbread. It is hard to find a good recipe. Should be moist and buttery. Top with butter to serve.

Provided by Mary Ann

Categories     Bread     Quick Bread Recipes     Cornbread Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (14 ounce) can cream-style corn
1 ½ cups self-rising yellow cornmeal
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup sour cream
½ cup Greek yogurt
2 eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground red chile pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon butter, or to taste

Steps:

  • Pour vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet; place in the oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Mix cream-style corn, cornmeal, buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt, eggs, salt, and red chile pepper together in a bowl to form batter. Remove skillet from oven using oven mitts; pour in batter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until edges pull away from skillet, 30 to 40 minutes. Spread butter over top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 210.9 calories, Carbohydrate 27 g, Cholesterol 60.1 mg, Fat 9.8 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 631.5 mg, Sugar 3 g

CAMPFIRE CAST IRON CORNBREAD



Campfire Cast Iron Cornbread image

It doesn't get better than a deep pan of cornbread cooked over coals in a cast-iron skillet old-timey style. Here's my own super-moist recipe, with additional instructions if you prefer to use your oven. Serve with butter, honey, your favorite jam, or molasses.

Provided by Elisa Gale

Categories     Bread     Quick Bread Recipes     Cornbread Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons lard, or as needed
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
¼ cup melted butter
2 large eggs
¼ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • You will need a cast iron chicken frying pan with a lid and a few iron S-hooks to raise the pan up off the ground.
  • Build a campfire with wood and allow the fire to burn until you have some good embers going. Add a layer of coal. Rake the coals into a flat bed on one side of the fire. Completely grease the inside of the cast iron pan and the lid with lard. Set the pan next to the fire on some coals to preheat for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Sift cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Make a hole in the middle of the mixture. Add buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the hole. Stir together until a lumpy batter forms, but don't overmix. Allow batter to sit while you check the pan; grease should not be smoking but only be hot and melted. If it is smoking, remove from heat and cool down until it no longer smokes. Pour batter into the hot pan and cover with the lid.
  • Place a very thin layer of embers on the ground and use the S hooks to raise the bottom of the pan and allow air to circulate. Place about 1/3 of the amount of embers you used underneath on the top of the pan. Bake without removing the lid until cornbread is cooked through and a toothpick comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 300.5 calories, Carbohydrate 41.5 g, Cholesterol 69.2 mg, Fat 12.4 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 506.6 mg, Sugar 15.3 g

CAST IRON SKILLET BAKED CORNBREAD



Cast Iron Skillet Baked Cornbread image

This is the result of the highly successful method of 'Trial and Error' to find the "perfect" cornbread for my 10" Cast Iron Skillet. Enjoy! This can be baked in other dishes (8x8, 9x9, muffin tins, larger or smaller skillets etc and the doubled recipe fills a 9x13) but I do not have baking times for those. *Updated directions 2/16/2015*

Provided by Doodle Pirate

Categories     Quick Breads

Time 35m

Yield 1 skillet, 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/4 cups cornmeal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup oil (vegetable or canola NOT olive oil)
2 eggs
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 -4 tablespoons Crisco (for oiling skillet) or 3 -4 tablespoons lard (for oiling skillet)

Steps:

  • Position oven rack in the middle of your oven, preheat oven to 350, place skillet in cold preheating oven in center of the middle rack.
  • In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients.
  • In a separate smaller bowl combine wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly.
  • Combine wet ingredients into dry and mix until well blended.
  • Slide the oven rack, with the skillet on it, out and place last of the butter into hot skillet. Immediately pour batter into hot skillet, and slide oven rack into place.
  • Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

CAST IRON CORNBREAD



Cast Iron Cornbread image

The cast iron pan really does make all the difference. It gives the edges a nice buttery crispness. Make sure you give the oven and the pan plenty of time to preheat. If the butter doesn't sizzle when you lube up the pan, the pan isn't hot enough. Recipe from Alton Brown, but I've reduced the salt by 1/2 a teaspoon from his version.

Provided by Kitchen Ninja

Categories     Quick Breads

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups cornmeal (203g)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup flour (135g)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Steps:

  • Place cast iron skillet in oven and preheat to 450.
  • In large bowl, combine cornmeal and milk and set aside. For best results, give it 15 minutes to soak. You need this time anyway so that the pan can get plenty hot.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and oil.
  • In a third (large) bowl, combine the flour, paking powder, and salt.
  • Stir the eggs and oil into the cornmeal mixture. Combine thoroughly, and then add the wet stuff into the dry stuff. Stir until the mixture just comes together, being careful not to over-mix.
  • Carefully remove the hot cast iron pan from the oven and rub the butter onto the bottom and sides. Pour in the batter and return the pan to the oven.
  • Bake at 450 for about 25 minutes, until the center hits 190 or a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cornbread should slide easily out of pan. Cut into wedges (this is easier when it's upside down) and devour.

Tips:

  • Choosing the Right Cornmeal: Opt for medium or fine-ground cornmeal, as it provides a better texture and rise.
  • Buttermilk Magic: Buttermilk imparts a tangy flavor and tenderness to the cornbread. If unavailable, substitute with 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar.
  • Preheat the Skillet: Ensure your cast iron skillet is adequately preheated before pouring the batter. This creates a crispy crust essential for classic cornbread.
  • Golden Brown Perfection: Bake the cornbread until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Rest for Optimal Flavor: Allow the cornbread to cool slightly before serving. This helps the flavors meld and enhances the texture.

Conclusion:

Cast iron cornbread is a delectable Southern staple with a rich history and diverse regional variations. Whether you prefer a sweet or savory rendition, this versatile dish is sure to please. With its crispy exterior, tender crumb, and irresistible aroma, cast iron cornbread is a culinary delight that transcends time and continues to captivate taste buds worldwide. Embrace the tradition and experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create your own signature cornbread masterpiece. From classic Southern-style cornbread to creative skillet variations, the possibilities are endless. Indulge in the timeless goodness of cast iron cornbread and savor every bite of this classic American comfort food.

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