Southern Cracklin’ Bread Recipe

🧑‍🍳 Southern Cracklin’ Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal (stone-ground preferred)

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 ½ cups buttermilk

• 2 large eggs

• 3 tbsp melted bacon drippings or vegetable oil, plus extra for the skillet

• 1 cup pork cracklings, chopped into small pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and skillet
   Place a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet (10-inch) in the oven and preheat to 425°F (220°C). This gives you that perfect, crispy crust.

2. Prepare the cracklings
   If using store-bought cracklings, chop them into small bits. If rendering your own, fry pieces of pork skin and fat until golden and crisp, then drain and cool.

3. Mix the dry ingredients
   In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.

4. Add the wet ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted bacon drippings. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined — don’t overmix.

5. Fold in the cracklings
   Gently fold the chopped cracklings into the batter. They should be evenly distributed.

6. Pour into the hot skillet
   Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and swirl a little oil or drippings to coat the bottom. Pour in the batter — it should sizzle slightly when it hits the pan.

7. Bake
   Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown with crisp edges. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

8. Cool and serve
   Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with butter, honey, or alongside greens and beans.

💡 Tips & Variations

• For a smoky kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the batter.

• Want it fluffier? Increase flour to ¾ cup.

• For extra crunch, sprinkle a few cracklings on top before baking.