Senator Al Frankens Aunt Carlas Pumkin Cornbread Recipes

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.

SENATOR AL FRANKEN'S : AUNT CARLA'S PUMKIN CORNBREAD

Steps:

• 1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. 2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• 3. 3. On the first speed of a hand or standing mixer, beat together the eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, and milk.
• 4. 4. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry in three batches with a rubber spatula. The batter will be smooth, and is more fluffy than liquidy.
• 5. 5. Pour the batter into a 9 by 13 baking pan (or two loaf pans), and place in the middle rack of the oven.
• 6. 6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick stuck in the middle of the cornbread comes out dry.
• 7. 7. Let the cornbread cool for ten minutes, and then cut into pieces and serve.

PUMPKIN MAPLE CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Butter the parchment.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter, the egg, brown sugar, pumpkin purée, buttermilk and 1/2 cup maple syrup. Fold in the dry ingredients. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and smooth out the top.
• Top evenly with the pumpkin seeds. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup.
• Transfer bread in the pan to a wire rack. While the bread is still warm, brush the entire surface with the butter-maple mixture. Remove the cornbread from the pan using the overhanging parchment, and cut cornbread into pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.