Make some Cracklin Bread the next time a loved one is having a bad day, just like Calpurnia did on Scout's first day of school in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books and movies. I have enjoyed both multiple times.
In the story, the protagonist, a girl nicknamed Scout, comes home after a horrible first day of school. The maid/cook/nanny Calpurnia makes one of her favorites to cheer her up, Cracklin' Bread.
Cracklin Bread is a quick bread made without flour, just cornmeal, making it a bit dense. If you'd rather just add some cracklings to a lighter cornbread, here's Grandma Ruth's cornbread recipe.
I did not have enough Cracklings on hand when I made this so I threw in some bacon for extra smoky deliciousness. Pork fat rules!
What are Cracklings?
No Spell Checker, there is no "g" at the end. At least you do not pronounce it in the South.
Cracklings are the leftover bits after you render the fat from pork. Technically it can also be the leftover solids from beef or chicken fat as well. But, in the American South it is almost always pork.
The Difference Between Cracklings and Pork Rinds and Chicharrons?
Chicharrons and pork rinds are fried pork skin, made without the fat attached.
Cracklings can have some skin but they have more fat and even a little meat.
Where to get Cracklings?
You might be able to buy some at your local grocery store, but they are quite easy to make at home, and as a bonus you get some lard to add wonderful flavor to other dishes.
I will often remove excess fat from a piece of pork and save it in a zip to lock bag in the freezer until I have a cup or more to render.
- Cut the fat off a piece of pork and chop into small pieces.
- Place in a saucepan or skillet and cook over medium heat.
- Keep cooking, stirring occasionally until the fat has melted and you have brown bits left.
- Strain the liquid fat (lard) and save for other recipes. I freeze mine in a zip to lock bag.
- Use the solids in this recipe.
More Southern Food Recipes from #OurFamilyTable
Do you want more recipes from the heart of Dixie? Here are some delicious Southern Food recipes to try:
Southern Food
- Bacon & Pimento Cheese Burgers from The Spiffy Cookie
- Bacon and Cracklin Bread from That Recipe
- Blackened Mahi Mahi from Art of Natural Living
- Pimento Cheese Macaroni Salad from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Skillet Shrimp Boil from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- South Carolina Bird Dogs from Palatable Pastime
- Southern Fried Potatoes from Hezzi-Dβs Books and Cooks
- Southern Style Hush Puppies from Jen Around the World
We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup cracklings or bacon or combination of both (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450Β°F
- In a cast iron skilled, melt bacon grease over medium heat. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl add 2 cups cornmeal.
- Add baking powder and salt. Stir to combine.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in buttermilk.
- Add eggs. Quickly whip eggs in the center of the well to break eggs then mix to combine all ingredients. Mixture should be about the consistency of pancake batter. Add extra buttermilk if needed.
- Stir in melted bacon grease, cracklings and/or bacon
- Pour mixture into cast iron skillet. Bake at 450Β° F until starting to turn brown, 20-25 minutes.
Notes
Sound fabulous? Share it!
Until next time, happy eating!
~Audrey
Carole
This looks delicious! I'm always saving my scraps of "this" and "that", too! In fact, I just made a turkey casserole and used turkey skin for the topping. So, we are on the same "thought train" at the moment! As you said, "waste not, want not"! Love your idea and pinning to Pinterest!
Simple Hacks Living
Yes! Yes! Yes! Sounds amazing!
Lou Lou Girls
Hello Gorgeous! I love stopping by your amazing party each week. Thank you for hosting. Please take a moment to stop by our party. We would love to have the chance to party with you twice! Happy Thursday Lou Lou Girls
Amanda @ The Anti Mom Blog
i am so excited about the sequel too!!! this looks so good and just gives me more reason to go buy a cast iron skillet!!! π
Nicole Neverman
Oh wow!! This bread looks amazing! If you had a spare moment, I would be delighted if you'd drop this (and anything else you'd like to share) by at the #PureBlogLove anything goes link party! You can find me here: http://picnicnz.blogspot.co.nz/
Kelly @ Mum-bo-Jumbo
Wow! Coming from Australia I haven't heard of this bread very often before but you had me at bacon. Then at crackle! Hahaha! Sounds so good and rather simple, I'll give this a try. I wasn't aware of the sequel for To Kill a Mockingbird, I'll keep my eye out for it. It has been years since I have read this book but it had such a profound impact on me that it still ranks as one of my favourite novels. Thanks for linking up at Mum-bo Monday and thanks for hosting such a tasty link up party!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
That looks YUMMY! Thanks so much for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again next week!
Raewyn
Yum!! This sounds delicious! I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try to make it, but I will definitely eat it!!
chellie
Another fabulous recipe! Thanks for joining us at FTAF! Hope to see you back.
Audrey
Thanks, Chellie.
Christie
I've never made cracklins but I've definitely eaten them in recipes. This bread sounds so good. Perfect for a bowl of bean soup.