Southern Cornbread Dressing

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Yield: Serves 12 | Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 40 to 60 minutes

I love using this particular recipe because the buttermilk makes the cornbread extra creamy. I recommend making the cornbread from scratch, but if you’re in a rush, you can use ready-made cornbread from the grocery store bakery.

INGREDIENTS

Buttermilk Cornbread

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups cornmeal

1 cup self-rising flour

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Cornbread Dressing

3 slices white bread or 3 store-bought buttermilk biscuits

1 onion, diced

1 cup diced celery

1 cup canned cream of chicken soup

3 large eggs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon rubbed sage

4 to 5 cups chicken broth

DIRECTIONS

1. For the buttermilk cornbread: Place a 10½-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, cornmeal, flour, eggs, and ½ cup water.

3. When the oven has reached 425°F, remove the skillet and add the butter; let melt. Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until set. Let cool.

4. For the cornbread dressing: Lower the oven temperature to 350°F. Coat two 9 × 13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray.

5. In a large bowl, crumble the cooled cornbread and white bread. Add the onion, celery, soup, eggs, butter, salt, pepper, and sage, then pour 4 cups of the broth over the mixture and stir to combine. Add the remaining broth as needed if the dressing looks too dry.

6. Divide the dressing into the 2 baking dishes. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until light brown and set. Serve.