Corn Pone

I’m a Southern raised girl through and through. That basically means I love just about any classic down south dish that hits the dinner table. That’s where this Corn Pone comes in. This corn pone serves! It’s rich, dense, and yet still moist and crisp around the edges. I make it with cornmeal, heavy cream and of course, some bacon fat. If you’ve never had it, you’re in for a big treat boos.

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Slices of corn pone coming out of a cast iron skillet in a white background

Corn Pone ingredient notes

  • Cornmeal- I prefer a fine yellow cornmeal here.
  • Boiling Water- This will help bind the cornmeal, and also keep the texture super moist.
  • Bacon Fat- A neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola will work fine here.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream- Half and half is a great substitute.
  • Baking Powder- If you ran out, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar to use instead.
  • Vegetable Oil: Or any neutral oil.

How to make Corn Pone

Boiling water added to cornmeal mixture

Step 1: Mix together cornmeal, salt and bacon fat. Pour the mixture into the boiling water and stir until it’s mixed up.

A smooth corn pone mixture in a clear bowl

Step 2: Add your eggs and heavy cream to the mix. Stir it up and allow it to cool for 60 minutes.

Corn pone mixture in a cast iron skillet before baking

Step 3: Prep your cast iron skillet by adding oil and heating it up in a pre-heated 400 degree oven. Add in your baking powder and mix it up. Pour your mixture into the hot greased skillet.

Baked corn pone in a cast iron skillet on a white background

Step 4: Bake your corn pone for 25-35 minutes, let it rest then serve it up!

A slice of eaten corn pone recipe on a white plate with butter and honey drizzle

Corn Pone

A twist on classic cornbread, this intensely moist, flavorful and authentic Corn Pone recipe is made with simple ingredients and baked until beautifully golden brown! 
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cool Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cornmeal
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup bacon fat or canola oil
  • 2/3 cup boiling water
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Mix cornmeal, salt and bacon fat. Pour this mixture into the boiling water and stir until well mixed.
  • Next add eggs and cream and stir. Allow it to cool for 60 minutes.
  • Once 45 minutes have passed, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Add oil to the cast iron skillet and once the oven reaches temperature place the skillet in the oven to heat up the oil.
  • Once the mixture has cooled for 60 minutes, mix everything super well then add in the baking powder. Check the consistency now. If it is thick but still pourable and doesn't look dry, go ahead and continue. If it seems a bit dry, add a little more boiling water or some extra heavy cream and mix until it looks moister.
  • Pour the pone into the hot, greased cast iron skillet and bake for 25-35 minutes and serve.

Notes

Corn Pone can be stored in the same way that you would any other cornbread recipe. Tightly wrap the leftover bread in plastic wrap or foil, then place it in an airtight container or food storage bag. Although it may be prone to moisture while left in the fridge, cornbread can last up to 7 days.
Keep in mind that corn pone is substantially different from a traditional cornbread, so its expiration might differ. You can always zap a hunk of it in the microwave with a damp paper towel draped over the top to reintroduce some moisture if it gets too dry.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 602mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
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Recipe Tips

  1. Preheat that Skillet boos: This is how you get that perfect crispy crust!
  2. Hot Water is Necessary: Don’t skip this step. That water needs to be boiling so it activates the cornmeal creating the right texture.
  3. Don’t Overmix y’all: Don’t nobody want a tough corn pone. Just mix until its combined so we get a nice tender crumb.
  4. Rest that Batter: This step takes some time but it allows the cornmeal to hydrate well.
  5. Adjust the Consistency if needed: If you see the batter seems too thick, add more boiling water starting at just a tablespoon until it reaches a nice pouring consistency.
  6. Want more moisture? Add a bit more heavy cream. This recipe is super easy to adjust.
Sliced corn pone recipe overhead in a cast iron skillet with butter nearby

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Recipe help

Can I make corn pone ahead?

Yep you know it y’all. Cool completely and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. You can store at room temp up to 2 days.

What’s the difference between corn pone and cornbread?

Corn pone’s texture and consistency is slightly different because it uses boiling water. Cornbread has more of a fluffy texture while corn pone is a bit denser and also thicker too. 

How can I make sure you corn pone casserole isn’t dry?

Now corn pone is a bit dense in texture but it definitely shouldn’t be dry! Before the batter is baked, it should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add more boiling water starting with a tablespoon or two and mix up. You can even add a little more heavy cream to make sure it comes out moist and delish!

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Filed Under:  Cornbread, Oven, Side Dishes

Comments

5 from 12 votes

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