Cracklin’ Bread

Cracklin’ bread is a traditional mountain delicacy that old timers speak of.

You’re probably wondering what in the world it is.

It is basically cornbread with the crunchy pieces of rendered lard mixed in! Pretty simple, but yet so mysterious, right?

I personally had never tasted cracklin’ bread before I made it myself. So I was clueless when it came to making it. My husband helped me out, and we made this delicious bread that everyone absolutely loved!

It tastes like cornbread with a bacon-like, meat-like flavor in it. Yum! Cracklin’ bread is a great way to use every part of the hog if you are butchering your own, or using the fat to render lard. I love that!

Here is my recipe for easy Cracklin’ bread:

2 cups cornmeal (I used self-rising.)

1 egg

1 1/3 c. whole milk

¼ c. lard

1 cup cracklins (Out of my own rendered lard)

Preheat oven to 385 degrees. Start melting lard or bacon grease in iron skillet. You can heat it in the oven as it preheats, or on the stove top.

First, mix the egg together with the milk and the lard (or other cooking oil of choice. Lard goes well with the theme here.)

Add the 2 cups of cornmeal.

Mix the batter up, then add the cup of cracklins. Mix again to get everything incorporated.

Pour the batter into the hot skillet. (If it pops, that’s good!! I love that sound!)

Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top of the bread is good and browned.

There you have cracklin’ bread! This is as old-timey as it gets.