This hot water cornbread is a very old-fashioned recipe. The cornbread is shaped into little cakes and fried rather than baked. Serve the cakes warm with maple syrup or honey.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • ¾ cup boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon bacon grease
  • 1 cup bacon grease, or as needed

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Combine cornmeal, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add boiling water and 1 tablespoon bacon grease; stir until bacon grease melts.
  3. Pour bacon grease to a depth of 1/2-inch in a large skillet; heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  4. Shape cornmeal mixture into 12 flattened balls using a heaping tablespoon as a measuring guide.
  5. Fry, turning once, in hot oil until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.