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Golden slices of Southern cornbread in a cast iron skillet with melting butter and crispy edges.

Southern Cornbread So Moist It’ll Make a Yankee Cry

This classic Southern cornbread is golden, crispy on the edges, and moist in the middle—made in a sizzling hot cast iron skillet with buttermilk, cornmeal, and no sugar in sight. It’s the perfect side for any Southern meal and guaranteed to make Granny proud.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Bread
Servings 8 Servings

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Butter Brush

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal because white cornmeal is just confused grits
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour just enough to keep it humble
  • 1 tsp salt for sass and balance
  • 1 tsp baking soda so it don’t sit there like a brick in your belly
  • 2 cups buttermilk thicker than Southern drawls after sweet tea
  • 2 large eggs preferably from a chicken with attitude
  • ¼ cup bacon drippings OR melted butter choose your fighter
  • 2 tbsp butter for the skillet

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F, because we’re not slow-roasting dignity here. Toss your cast iron skillet in the oven with 2 tablespoons of butter and let it heat like gossip in a hair salon.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking soda. Pretend you’re mixing ancestral wisdom with future regrets.
  • In another bowl, whisk the eggs and buttermilk until frothy like a preacher on Sunday. Then slowly mix in the bacon drippings or butter—whichever Southern sin you chose.
  • Combine wet and dry, stirring gently with a wooden spoon like you're coaxing secrets out of your cousin after Sunday dinner. Do not overmix or the cornbread will rise as flat as your ex’s promises.
  • Remove that hot skillet from the oven and swirl the melted butter around to coat it like you mean it. Pour in the batter. It should sizzle like a Baptist sermon about loose morals.
  • Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean—or until your nosy neighbor shows up “just to see what smells so good.”
  • Let it cool for 5 minutes (if you can resist) before slicing into glorious, buttery wedges of Southern glory.
  • Serve warm with more butter, a drizzle of honey, or nothing at all if you’re a purist (or if Granny’s watching).

Notes

Storage Tip (Though Let’s Be Honest, You Won’t Have Leftovers)

Wrap in foil or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or cast iron skillet for best results. Microwave only if you're feeling rebellious and like your cornbread slightly sad.

Serving Suggestions

  • Alongside collard greens and a slap of hot sauce
  • With a bowl of chili and righteous superiority
  • Crumbled in a glass of buttermilk (a.k.a. “Southern pudding”)
  • Used as a peace offering to your neighbor after that mower incident

Final Thoughts

This ain’t just cornbread, honey. This is Southern diplomacy on a plate. Serve it with pride. And remember—if someone tries to sneak sugar in your batter, tell ‘em the South already seceded once and isn’t afraid to do it again... but this time over cornbread.
Keyword cast iron cornbread, moist cornbread, southern cornbread, southern recipes
Did you make this recipe?Mention @grandmaws or tag #grandmaws!
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