Lodge Cast Iron has four new cornbread mixes – these are my favorites

It takes only half the time it would take to make cornbread from scratch.

I’ve lived in the South for a long time, so I know the rules of cornbread: it must be made with buttermilk, never sweetened with sugar, and always baked in a cast iron skillet. So when I found out that Lodge Cast Iron had released a new line of cornbread mixes specifically made for baking in a skillet, I had to get my hands on one and try it.

Lodge Cast Iron is a beloved Southern brand best known for its skillets. Its home base in Pittsburgh, Tennessee, also hosts a cornbread festival every April, making its line of skillet mixes a perfect fit for the brand.

There are four different types of cornbread mix.

• True Southern A classic cornbread mix that’s super flavorful, full of buttermilk flavor and just a touch of sweetness from the cornmeal.

• Hot Shot Jalapeno It’s a spicy version of True Southern mixed with the punch of dried jalapenos.

• I have argued that most people in the South are completely against sweet cornbread, but the Lodge also serves two kinds of sweet cornbread. Sweet Spot The subtle sweetness pairs perfectly with the nutty flavor of the cornmeal.

• Sweet as honey It is the sweetest of the four, with a bright honey flavor that is not overly sweet.

How to Make Lodge Cornbread Mix

For a savory skillet cornbread mix, you’ll need eggs, melted and cooled butter, and buttermilk. Plus, you’ll need canola oil or nonstick spray for the skillet. The sweet variety also calls for eggs, but opt ​​for plain milk and canola oil in the mix, which will add a sweeter flavor in the end.

All mixes require a 10-inch cast-iron skillet preheated in a 425°F oven. Baking times vary by variety (again, between savory and sweet). The packaging gives instructions on how to bake the mix as muffins, but not in other pans, although I did try it in one pan.

My Favorite Lodge Skillet Cornbread Mix

I wouldn’t turn down any of these cornbreads, but the True Southern mix will become a staple in my kitchen. This cornbread has the softest, crispiest outside and fluffy inside of any cornbread mix I’ve ever tried, tastes almost exactly like my favorite homemade recipe, and took about half the time to make.

My kids gobbled down the “Sweet as Honey” cornbread with tons of butter and a ton of honey, and I can’t wait to use this mix to make cobbler toppings and an upside-down peach cake this summer.

Where to get Lodge’s new cornbread mix

Lodge has launched its Skillet Cornbread Mix nationwide at Walmart, with many stores carrying three of the four varieties, and you can also buy all four varieties online. WalmartYou can buy them on , Amazon , or directly from Lodge. The variety pack is perfect for those who want to try all four. My local Walmart store had the cornbread mix for the cheapest price, but if it’s not already available at your local store, I recommend ordering it directly from Lodge.

Tips for baking with Lodge Cornbread Mix

After testing these mixes a few times, I found that by combining the eggs, fat, and dairy in a large mixing bowl first (rather than adding the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients as per package directions), I was able to keep the mixing in one bowl.

If you don’t have a 10-inch pan, you can heat an 8-inch square metal baking pan in the oven for 10 minutes and bake according to package directions, taking care to avoid the sweet variety, as it will burn the quickest.

Once you’ve decided which type your family likes best, the only thing left to do is decide whether to cut the cornbread into wedges or squares.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.