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Paw Paw's Pone Bread

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 25 mins | Total time: 35 mins Servings: 8 slices | Yield: One 10-inch skillet | Calories: ~230 kcal per serving
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Dry Mixture:
  • 1 1/2 cups 210g yellow stone-ground cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup 60g all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • Wet Mixture & Pan Fat:
  • 2 tbsp 30ml bacon drippings, lard, or melted butter (for pan)
  • 1 1/4 cups 300ml whole buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup 60ml unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp 30ml dark molasses
  • 1 large egg room temperature

Method
 

  1. Preheat Pan: Set oven to 400°F (205°C). Add bacon drippings to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and place in the oven to heat up.
  2. Mix Dry: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Mix Wet: In a second bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, molasses, and egg until blended.
  4. Combine & Rest: Pour wet ingredients into dry. Stir until just combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  5. Bake: Carefully pull hot skillet from oven, swirl grease, and pour in batter (it should sizzle). Bake for 22–25 minutes until top is golden brown and toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve hot.

Notes

Rest batter 5 minutes before baking to soften coarse cornmeal.
Rub a pad of cold butter over the top immediately after taking out of the oven for a glossy, tender top crust.