Hot Water Cornbread

4.4
(201)
165 Reviews
47 Photos

This hot water cornbread is a very old-fashioned recipe. The cornbread is shaped into little cakes and fried rather than baked. Serve the cakes warm with maple syrup or honey.

Submitted by Karin Christian
Updated on May 13, 2024
A platter of hot water cornbread served with a small bowl of honey
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
12 cakes
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 cup cornmeal

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • ¾ cup boiling water

  • 1 tablespoon bacon grease

  • 1 cup bacon grease, or as needed

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make hot water cornbread

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Combine cornmeal, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add boiling water and 1 tablespoon bacon grease; stir until bacon grease melts.

    A large glass bowl of cornbread dough

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Pour bacon grease to a depth of 1/2-inch in a large skillet; heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

    A large skillet with melted bacon grease

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Shape cornmeal mixture into 12 flattened balls using a heaping tablespoon as a measuring guide.

    A plate with 12 flattened discs of cornbread dough

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Fry, turning once, in hot oil until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

    A skillet with hot water cornbread discs frying in bacon grease

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tip

You can use shortening in cornbread batter instead of bacon grease if desired.

456 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

95 Calories
3g Fat
16g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 95
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Sodium 396mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 2g 3%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 59mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.