• Ree's Life
  • Food and Recipes
  • Home and Life
  • Holiday
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • News and Entertainment
  • Giveaways
  • Subscribe
  • New: Ree's Best Family Meals
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
  • About The Pioneer Woman
  • Newsletter
  • Follow
Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
Skip to Content
Logo
  • Ree's Life
  • Food & Recipes
  • Weddings
  • Fall Recipes
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
Subscribe
sign in
  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Bacon-Cheddar Skillet Cornbread

Bacon-Cheddar Skillet Cornbread

You had me at bacon!

By Ree DrummondUpdated: Nov 24, 2020
Star FillStar FillStar FillHalf StarStar
3.5
2 Ratings
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
bacon cheddar skillet cornbread
Ralph Smith
Yields:
8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr

When I was growing up, my mom always made her cornbread in those cute cast-iron corn-stick pans—I still remember the delicious crispy edges! These days, I bake all sorts of breads in cast iron, like this Bacon Cheddar Cornbread. (I don’t have my mom’s corn-stick pans, but I do have quite a collection of skillets!) 

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

  • 6

    strips bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1 cup

    yellow cornmeal

  • 1/2 cup

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 Tbsp.

    baking powder

  • 1 cup

    buttermilk

  • 1/2

    cup whole milk

  • 1

    large egg

  • 1/2 tsp.

    baking soda

  • 1/4 cup

    plus 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

  • 3 Tbsp.

    finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for topping

  • 2 cups

    shredded cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)

Directions

    1. Step 1 Preheat the oven to 450 ̊. Cook the bacon in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate and wipe the skillet clean. Set the skillet aside.
    2. Step 2Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, milk and egg in a medium bowl, then whisk in the baking soda. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mixture and stir with a fork until combined.
    3. Step 3Put 1⁄4 cup shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Slowly add the melted shortening to the batter, stirring with a spoon until just combined. Fold in the chives, 11⁄2 cups of the cheddar and all but a few tablespoons of the bacon.
    4. Step 4Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons shortening in the cast-iron skillet over medium heat until melted. Pour the batter into the hot skillet (it should sizzle) and spread to even out the surface. Sprinkle with the remaining 1⁄2 cup cheddar and cook, undisturbed, until the edges just begin to set, about 1 minute.
    5. Step 5Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, the cornbread is cooked through and the edges are crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Top with chives and the remaining bacon.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Breads

the pioneer woman's corn muffins recipe

Corn Muffins with Honey Butter Are a BBQ Must

best homemade bread recipes

20 Best Bread Recipes

pioneer woman pullapart garlicherb loaf

How To Make Pull-Apart Garlic-Herb Biscuits

the pioneer woman's panzanella recipe

Ree's Panzanella Is the Ultimate Summer Salad

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
best breakfast breads

15 Sweet and Savory Breads to Serve for Breakfast

the pioneer woman's lemon blueberry bread recipe

Lemon Lovers, Try This Bread Loaf

best easter breads

14 Best Sweet and Savory Easter Breads

how to freeze bread

Can You Freeze Bread? Yes, Here's How to Do It

the pioneer woman's hot cross buns recipe

Ree's Hot Cross Buns Are a Sweet Easter Treat

the pioneer woman's easter bread recipe

Bake a Loaf of Easter Bread With Rainbow Eggs

sweet roll recipes

7 Best Sweet Rolls Recipes for a Warm Wake-Up Call

the pioneer woman's strawberry sweet rolls recipe

Strawberry Sweet Rolls Are Coated in a Berry Glaze

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
SubscribeAbout The Pioneer WomanOther Hearst SubscriptionsNewsletter
A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSitemap
Cookies Choices