Carla Hall Cornbread Recipes

CARLA HALL'S SKILLET CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF
• Heat a 12-inch, cast-iron skillet in the oven until very hot
• In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, baking powder and salt
• In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, creamed corn and 1/2 cup oil
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth
• Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil into the hot skillet, and then pour the batter into the skillet
• The batter will begin sizzling right away
• Bake until golden and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes
• Serve hot or warm
• *In a food processor, pulse together 3/4 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn and 1/2 cup heavy cream until coarsely blended

INDIVIDUAL SKILLET CORNBREADS

Steps:

• Place four 3 1/2-inch cast-iron skillets in the oven. Preheat to 425˚ F.
• Make the cornbread: In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, corn and 1/4 cup oil.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Using oven mitts or pot holders, take the hot skillets out of the oven. Divide the remaining 1 tablespoon oil between the skillets, quickly tilting the pans so that the oil coats the bottom and sides. Pour the batter evenly into the skillets. The batter will begin sizzling right away.
• Put the skillets in the oven and bake until the cornbread is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 13 minutes. Remove the hot skillets from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool slightly.
• While the cornbread bakes, prepare the cinnamon butter: In a medium bowl, mix the butter, cinnamon, confectioners' sugar and almond or vanilla extract with a rubber spatula. Stir until everything is mixed well and is an even color (no streaks).
• Serve the cornbread hot or warm with a dollop of cinnamon butter.