Corn Bread (Sweet & Moist)

Ingredients

• 1 cup cornmeal (Yellow)
• 1 cup flour (All-Purpose)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 (10 ounce) can creamed corn (10-12 oz Can variation is OK)
• 1/4 cup shortening (Crisco)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons butter (Do Not Add to Mix, Read Directions for Use)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 425.

2. 2

   First, add all of the dry ingredients together and mix - this will help keep the distribution of ingredients even. Use the Cornmeal, Flour, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Baking Powder, and Salt.

3. 3

   Then, add the remaining ingredients in any order and mix. Use the Eggs, Milk, Creamed Corn, Shortening, and Honey.

4. 4

   Using a mixer or a whisk, combine all of the ingredients until well mixed. Note: these mix easily so using a whisk and some elbow grease does the job just fine.

5. 5

   Add the mixture to a "prepared" baking dish. You can prepare any baking dish by coating it with cooking spray or - as I like to do - use a paper towel to collect some Crisco and simply rub the dish until it's coated.

6. 6

   Bake at 425 for about 40-45 minutes. To see if the the Corn Bread is ready, insert a table knife into the center and pull it out. If it's dry, you're dish is done. If it's still got some wet batter on it - let it cook for another 5 minutes - checking in intervals. Be careful not to overcook. You want the top of the Corn Bread to be delicately browned, but not so browned that you now have a hardened crust, so just keep an eye on it during the last leg of baking.

7. 7

   Now -- to use the Butter!

8. 8

   Immediately after you remove the Corn Bread from the oven, drag as much as 2 TBS of Butter over the top slowly, allowing it to melt as you brush the top of the Corn Bread. The 2 TBS (especially if you're using slices of Butter from a stick of Butter) should be enough to adequately coat the entire loaf. This is an important step. You might think it's just for flavor, but the Butter actually softens the top of the Corn Bread and keeps the texture from becoming too firm or stale. As the Butter melts and seeps down into the body of the Corn Bread, it adds further moisture to the dish, without turning the Corn Bread into a soft mush like it sometimes can if you slap a spoonful onto an open slice.

9. 9

   Let the Corn Bread sit for about 2-4 minutes, allowing the Butter to do its job. Then Serve!