Me Ma's Southern Style Scratch Cornbread

Transport your taste buds to the heart of the South with "Me Ma's Southern Style Scratch Cornbread," a mouthwatering homage to classic Southern comfort food. Crafted with stone-ground cornmeal for authentic texture, this golden cornbread strikes the perfect balance between tender and crumbly. Buttermilk and melted butter infuse richness, while a hint of sugar adds subtle sweetness. Baked in a preheated cast iron skillet, the cornbread develops an irresistible crisp crust, intensified by optional bacon grease for a smoky edge. Ready in just 30 minutes, this nostalgic recipe pairs beautifully with chili, barbecue, or a pat of butter and drizzle of honey. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly simple—this Southern staple promises to be a timeless family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups cornmeal (preferably stone-ground)
• 0.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
• 1 tablespoon bacon grease (optional, for skillet)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a 9-inch cast iron skillet in the oven to heat while you prepare the batter.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs until fully combined. Slowly pour the melted butter into this wet mixture, whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy.

Step 5

Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. If using bacon grease, add it to the skillet and swirl it around to coat the bottom and sides. Alternatively, you can use a small amount of melted butter for this step.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the hot skillet. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as the batter hits the skillet; this helps create a beautifully crisp crust.

Step 7

Place the skillet back into the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the cornbread cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm with butter, honey, or your favorite sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(819.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1898.5

Total Fat 88.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 550.6mg	0%
Sodium 3383.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 237.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.8g	0%
Total Sugars 44.4g
Protein 43.5g	0%

Vitamin D 272.3IU	0%
Calcium 508.0mg	0%
Iron 9.0mg	0%
Potassium 964.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.5%

Protein: 9.0%

Carbs: 49.4%