Hot Water Cornbread is a recipe as old as the Tennessee Hills.
This is a recipe that can be gussied up any number of ways. I’m gonna go plain and straightforward with you today so you have the basic recipe and can work from there.
Simple Version of Hot Water Cornbread
I wanted to show you the basic version to let you know that you don’t HAVE To gussy it up, it will still be delicious, while at the same time encouraging you to really have fun with it. The simpler versions are what were most often made in the old days when ingredients were scarce and we had to make do in order to put food in our bellies.
I think a lot of people forget that, when looking at simple recipes like Hot Water Cornbread, they were invented out of necessity in order to survive and based on what folks had on hand or could easily acquire. For me, that inspires a reverence for them, and a respect for the wisdom of the old ways. It also makes me want to make them just like they did, if only to feel a little closer to their wisdom.
So…lets get started.
For the simple version of this Hot Water Cornbread recipe you’ll need these ingredients:
*Self rising corn meal and hot water. Yep that’s it.
*You can use your favorite self rising cornmeal mix. Martha White has all sorts of different ones and I like the white best but that is because it’s what my great grandmother used.
How to Make Hot Water Cornbread Recipe Step by Step
The recipe calls for boiling water to get it hot but I’m just going to use my coffee pot to dispense me some. Because that is what it does… 😉
Add your corn meal into the water.
Stir that together until there are no lumps left and it’s formed a good old batter. If you need to add a tablespoon or so of water you can. If you need to add a little more corn meal, you can do that too.
Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Once that is hot, carefully drop your batter by spoonfuls into the hot oil and lightly press it flat with the back of a spoon.
Cook until browned on that side, then flip it and cook it until it is browned on the other.
Remove to paper towel lined plate, basket, or bowl. Serve warm 🙂
It’s that easy!
These are great on their own or with butter, maple syrup, molasses, etc.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Self Rising Cornmeal
- 1 Cup HOT Water
Instructions
- Stir together cornmeal and water until completely smooth. Heat 1/4 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When oil is hot, carefully drop batter from a spoon into the oil and lightly press flat with back of spoon.
- Cook until browned on the bottom, then flip and cook until browned on the other side. Remove to paper towel lined plate. Serve hot.
Makes about 15.
Notes
Stir them in after the corn meal and water have been stirred together:
Chopped onions, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 cup drained corn kernels, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced jalapeños, 1 tsp parsley or basil, etc.
You may also like these cornbread recipes:
Mexican Cornbread Recipe by Mama
*From Scratch* Cornbread Topped Chicken Pot Pie
Yum
