Gina's Crusty Cornbread

This recipe is from Gina and Patrick Neely. It's a great cornbread recipe.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  cups  all purpose flour
• 2  cups yellow cornmeal
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 2 1⁄4 cups milk
• 2  eggs
• 6  tablespoons butter, melted, slightly cooled
• 2  tablespoons  rendered bacon fat, butter, shortening or 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in oven for 30 minutes.
2. In large bowl combine flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder and sugar. Make a well in the center and add milk, eggs and melted butter. Stir just until moistened.
3. Remove skillet from oven and add bacon fat to skillet. Swirl around to coat bottom and sides, then pour in cornbread mixture. Smooth the top with a spatula, then place in oven and bake about 25 minutes, or until brown.
4. If you like, you can spread 2 tablespoons of butter on top of hot cornbread to melt.