Jalapeno Cheddar & Bacon Cornbread

JALAPENO. CHEDDAR. AND BACON! Literally the best trio there is in the food world! I take my easy, fluffy, and delish Cornbread Muffin recipe(click to see recipe) and turn up the volume. It's still sweet, yet slightly spicy from the pickled jalapenos(I use store bought pickled jalapenos but if you want it really spicy check out my recipe here). and cheesy from the yummy cheddar cheese! So without further adieu I present to you my Jalapeno Cheddar & Bacon Cornbread!

Tools: Two Mixing Bowls, Whisk, Large Cast Iron Skillet or a Sheet Pan, Rubber Spatula

Baking Time: 39 minutes

Baking Temperature: 375*F

TIP: Grate your cheese, cut your dice your jalapenos, and cook your bacon prior to baking your cornbread.

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INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour

1 cup of yellow cornmeal

1 1/2 cup of granulated sugar + 4 tablespoons

3 teaspoons of baking powder

3/4 teaspoons of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

1 stick of salted butter melted

2 eggs

1 1/4 cups of whole milk

1 cup of sour cream

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1/2 cup of pickled jarred jalapenos

1 heaping cup of cheddar cheese(reserve 1/4 cup to sprinkle over the top before baking)

2 strips of cooked bacon, chopped

(make sure to reserve the bacon fat)

3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking cornbread

1. Preheat your oven to 375*F. Take the vegetable oil, and pour just enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet(remember that the oil will spread as it expands in the oven) then set aside.

2. In a separate bowl sift all your dry ingredients this includes: sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and soda, and the cornmeal. Then, pour in the cooked bacon, cheese, and pickled jalapenos.

3. Add your wet ingredients to a separate bowl this includes: milk, vanilla extract, eggs, butter, and sour cream. Mix together until well combined. Then, pour half of the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

4. Add in the last half of the dry mixture then carefully stir together until it's a nice homogeneous mixture, then whisk together for a couple of minutes until there are no more(flour/cornmeal) lumps. Make sure to scrape the sides and the bottom of your mixing bowl with your spatula to ensure that everything is incorporated!

5. Now, while the batter is resting place in your cast iron skill or pan with the oil and place in your oven until the oil is heated(it will be fluid and loose). While the oil it heating up whip up some Salted Maple Butter click here to see the recipe if you desire.

6. Quickly divide the batter into the cavities while the oil is hot. Then place in your oven and bake for 39 minutes exactly or until golden brown around the edges and when you stick a toothpick or fork in the middle it comes out clean!

7. Enjoy warm with a smear of that delicious and maple butter!

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