Brenda Gantt’s lacy cornbread recipe has captured hearts across the South with its incredibly simple yet magical approach to traditional cornbread. This beloved recipe transforms just three basic ingredients into something extraordinary that will have your family asking for more.
What makes Brenda Gantt’s lacy cornbread so special is its delicate, crispy texture that resembles delicate lace when cooked properly. Unlike traditional thick cornbread, this version creates thin, golden rounds that are perfectly crispy on the outside while maintaining a tender bite.
This time-honored recipe proves that sometimes the most memorable dishes come from the simplest ingredients, and Brenda Gantt’s lacy cornbread is no exception to this beautiful Southern cooking philosophy.
What Does Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread Taste Like?
The first bite of Brenda Gantt’s lacy cornbread delivers a delightful contrast of textures that makes it truly unforgettable. The edges are wonderfully crispy and golden, creating a satisfying crunch that gives way to a tender, slightly chewy center with authentic corn flavor.
The taste is pure, clean cornmeal with a subtle saltiness that enhances the natural sweetness of the corn. Unlike heavy, dense cornbread’s, this lacy version feels light and airy, making it perfect for soaking up gravies, honey, or butter without becoming soggy.
Each piece has an almost pancake-like quality but with a distinctly Southern cornbread character. The thin, delicate texture allows the corn flavor to shine through beautifully, creating a memorable eating experience that pairs wonderfully with everything from fried chicken to hearty stews.
Ingredients Required for Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread
- 1 cup fine stone-ground white cornmeal
- 1¼ cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- Cast-iron skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Tablespoon for dropping batter
- Spatula for flipping
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 20-25 minutes
Servings: 8-10 pieces
Copycat Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread Recipe
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread at home
1. Prepare the batter
In a mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, water, and salt until you achieve the consistency of thin buttermilk. The mixture should be smooth and pourable.
2. Heat the oil
Pour vegetable oil into your cast-iron skillet to about ½-inch deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is hot but not smoking.
3. Test the oil
To check if oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter into the oil. It should sizzle immediately and begin to brown.
4. Cook the cornbread
Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into the center of the hot oil. Cook one piece at a time to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
5. Brown the first side
Allow the cornbread to brown on one side, approximately 2-3 minutes, until golden and crispy.
6. Flip and finish
Using a spatula, carefully flip the cornbread and brown the other side for another 2-3 minutes until golden.
7. Drain and serve
Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread
1. With Honey Butter Drizzle
We love breaking these crispy rounds into pieces and drizzling them with warm honey mixed with melted butter. The sweetness perfectly balances the corn’s earthiness, and the crispy texture holds up beautifully without getting soggy.
2. Alongside Country Fried Chicken
This combination is pure Southern magic Fried Chicken. The lacy cornbread soaks up those delicious pan drippings while maintaining its crunch, creating the perfect bite every time.
3. Crumbled Over Fresh Greens
We often crumble cooled lacy cornbread over mixed greens for an incredible salad topper. It adds a wonderful crunch that’s so much better than regular croutons, and the corn flavor complements fresh vegetables beautifully.
4. With Creamy White Bean Soup
The contrast here is absolutely divine – the crispy cornbread floating on top of smooth, creamy soup creates such a satisfying texture combination that we find ourselves making this pairing at least once a week.
5. Topped with Pulled Pork
We’ve served these as appetizer “plates” topped with a small portion of pulled pork and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Guests always rave about this creative twist, and it’s become our go-to for casual entertaining.
6. Dipped in Sorghum Syrup
This old-fashioned pairing takes us straight back to childhood memories. The mild sweetness of sorghum syrup doesn’t overpower the delicate corn flavor, and the sticky-sweet contrast with the crispy texture is absolutely addictive.
7. With Buttermilk and Chives
We love serving these alongside a small bowl of cold buttermilk mixed with fresh chopped chives for dipping. It’s refreshing, tangy, and surprisingly sophisticated for such simple ingredients.
8. As a Base for Mini Eggs Benedict
This might sound unconventional, but we’ve used these cornbread rounds as the base for a Southern-style eggs Benedict, topped with a poached egg, country ham, and hollandaise. It’s become our signature brunch dish.
9. Crumbled into Cornbread Stuffing
We save any leftovers specifically for this purpose. The lacy cornbread adds incredible texture to traditional stuffing, and because it’s already crispy, it holds its shape perfectly even after baking in the dressing.
10. With Fresh Tomato and Basil
During tomato season, we top these cornbread rounds with sliced ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of coarse salt. It’s like a Southern bruschetta that showcases summer flavors beautifully.
Some Tips on This Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread Recipe
1. Use the right cornmeal
Fine stone-ground white cornmeal works best. Do not use coarse cornmeal. It will not make lacy cornbread.
2. Make your batter thin
Your batter should look like thin milk. If it is too thick, add more water. If it is too thin, add more cornmeal.
3. Get your oil hot enough
The oil must be hot before you add batter. Test it by dropping a tiny bit of batter in. It should bubble right away.
4. Do not use too much oil
You only need oil that is half an inch deep. Too much oil will make a mess. Too little oil will not cook the cornbread right.
5. Cook one piece at a time
Do not put too many in the pan. They will stick together. One at a time makes perfect lacy cornbread.
6. Use a cast iron pan
Cast iron heats evenly. It makes the best crispy edges. Other pans can work but cast iron is best.
7. Watch the heat
If your oil gets too hot, turn it down. If the cornbread burns fast, your heat is too high. Medium-high heat works best.
8. Flip gently
Use a thin spatula to flip. Be gentle so the cornbread does not break. It should be golden brown before you flip it.
9. Drain on paper towels
Put hot cornbread on paper towels after cooking. This takes away extra oil. Your cornbread will be less greasy.
How to Store and Reheat Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread
Store leftover lacy cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place pieces in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it will make the cornbread soggy and lose its signature lacy texture.
Brenda Gantt's Lacy Cornbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fine stone-ground white cornmeal
- 1¼ cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, water, and salt until you achieve the consistency of thin buttermilk. The mixture should be smooth and pourable.
- Pour vegetable oil into your cast-iron skillet to about ½-inch deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is hot but not smoking.
- To check if oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter into the oil. It should sizzle immediately and begin to brown.
- Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into the center of the hot oil. Cook one piece at a time to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
- Allow the cornbread to brown on one side, approximately 2-3 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Using a spatula, carefully flip the cornbread and brown the other side for another 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Video
Notes
Common Queries on This Brenda Gantt Lacy Cornbread Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Brenda Gantt’s Lacy Cornbread that people often ask.
1. What is lacy cornbread?
From our experience making this recipe countless times, lacy cornbread gets its name from the delicate, thin texture that resembles fine lace when cooked properly. Unlike traditional thick cornbread, this version creates crispy, golden rounds with intricate patterns and holes throughout, giving it that distinctive “lacy” appearance.
2. Who first made cornbread?
Through our research and cooking heritage, we’ve learned that cornbread originated with Native Americans who first ground corn into meal centuries ago. Southern cooks like Brenda Gantt have perfected these traditional techniques, passing down recipes through generations to create the beloved versions we enjoy today.
3. How to get crispy cornbread?
We’ve found the secret to perfectly crispy lacy cornbread lies in three key factors: using very hot oil (about ½-inch deep), maintaining the right batter consistency (like thin buttermilk), and cooking one piece at a time. Never overcrowd the skillet, as this drops the oil temperature and creates soggy results.
4. Can I use yellow cornmeal instead of white?
In our testing, yellow cornmeal works perfectly fine, though it will give the cornbread a slightly different color and a touch more robust corn flavor. We prefer fine stone-ground white cornmeal for Brenda Gantt’s recipe as it creates the most authentic texture and appearance.
5. Why is my lacy cornbread not crispy?
From troubleshooting this recipe many times, we’ve found that soggy cornbread usually results from oil that’s not hot enough, overcrowding the pan, or batter that’s too thick. Make sure your oil sizzles immediately when you add the batter, and cook only one piece at a time.
6. Can I make the batter ahead of time?
We’ve experimented with this and found that while you can make the batter 30 minutes ahead, it’s best used immediately. The cornmeal continues to absorb water over time, which can make the batter too thick and affect the final lacy texture.
7. What’s the best oil to use for frying?
Through our experience, vegetable oil works best because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point. We’ve also had good results with canola oil. Avoid olive oil as it has a lower smoke point and can impart unwanted flavors to this delicate cornbread.
8. How do I know when the oil is the right temperature?
We always test the oil temperature by dropping a small amount of batter into the pan. If it sizzles immediately and starts browning within 30 seconds, the oil is ready. If you have a thermometer, aim for around 350-375°F.
9. Can I bake this instead of frying?
From our experiments, baking doesn’t produce the same lacy, crispy texture that makes this recipe special. The hot oil frying method is essential for creating those delicate, crispy edges and the characteristic lace-like appearance that gives this cornbread its name.
10. What should I serve with Brenda Gantt’s lacy cornbread?
We love serving this versatile cornbread with honey butter, alongside fried chicken, or with hearty stews and soups. It’s also wonderful for soaking up pot likker from greens or as a base for open-faced sandwiches. The crispy texture holds up beautifully to wet toppings.
Brenda Gantt’s lacy cornbread recipe brings authentic Southern comfort to your table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This timeless recipe proves that the best dishes often come from the simplest ingredients and traditional techniques.
Try this delicious lacy cornbread today and experience why it’s become a beloved staple in Southern kitchens everywhere. Share your results in the comments below and let us know how this recipe worked for you! Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.
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This is one of the most delicious recipes I’ve ever made! It was bursting with flavor and had the perfect balance of spice and richness. Your instructions were spot on, and I didn’t have to guess anything. My husband already requested I make it again next week!