Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread

A classic loaf of cornbread with a sweet and salty topping of caramelized onions and bacon pieces.

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread Recipe - bakedbyrachel.com

This was one of those last minute ideas that popped into my head the other night, just needing to be made to accompany another recipe I had planned. It was essential. I had visions of a beautifully puffed up loaf of cornbread with scattered caramelized onions and bacon pieces throughout the top crust. Clearly this didn’t turn out as ideal as I wanted but I wouldn’t call this a fail either. It’s imperfectly perfect.

This recipe meant making caramelized onions for the first time ever, and making my house smell incredible from late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Seriously incredible… and I don’t even like caramelized onions. I know. But it was in my vision so I just went with it. Plus, the Mr was up for it and I was really cooking these few recipes for his enjoyment. It’s great getting to test stuff out on someone else occasionally.

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread Recipe - bakedbyrachel.com

On another note… I can’t stop spelling caramelized wrong. I’m one of those people who says ‘carmle/carmel’ not ‘caramel’ as it’s spelled. So that second ‘a’ keeps messing me up. Potato … potahto… whatever. Oh and don’t worry, I don’t spell potato like that ever outside of just then. Just to be clear.

So this bread, it was based off of an already practically perfect cornbread recipe that I decided to adapt slightly turning it into a loaf, topping it off with deep dark caramelized (yup did it again) onions and salty bacon pieces… then I took it a step further and tossed a bunch of bacon into the mixture. Because bacon on the top clearly wouldn’t be enough but fear not, this recipe only calls for 3 slices of bacon… only. But feel free to add more if you really want.

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread Recipe - bakedbyrachel.com

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread

A classic loaf of cornbread with a sweet and salty topping of caramelized onions and bacon pieces.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2 slices of bacon
  • 1/2 C unsalted butter melted (plus 1 Tbsp for onions)
  • 2/3 C plus 1 tsp granulated sugar divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 C buttermilk
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 C cornmeal
  • 1 C all purpose flour

Instructions

  • Peel and slice onion into thin pieces. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp butter. Add prepared onions, tossing occasionally with a wooden spoon until translucent. Reduce heat to medium low, sprinkle with salt and 1/2 tsp of sugar. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water when necessary to keep onions moist. Continue stirring occasionally until onions are a deep amber color. Cook for a total of 30-35 minutes or longer as needed. Transfer to a small bowl. If preparing ahead, cover and chill overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a loaf pan with parchment paper or baking spray (I used a 10" loaf pan).
  • In the same medium skillet, cook 3 slices of bacon. Drain on paper towels, chop into small pieces.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and 2/3 cup sugar. Whisk in eggs, followed by buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients, including 1/4 cup bacon pieces. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
  • Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel
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28 Responses to “Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread”

  1. #
    1
    Alex — January 7, 2013 at 7:13 am

    It must be so tasty!

  2. #
    2
    Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) — January 7, 2013 at 7:44 am

    This is an absolutely fabulous idea! I’m a huge cornbread fan and the bacon and onion additions only make it better. Can’t wait to test this out. :)

  3. #
    3
    Lauren at Keep It Sweet — January 7, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Caramelized onions are always a good addition, such a great idea to put them in your cornbread! You need to try making them in the slow cooker, they are amazing that way.

  4. #
    4
    Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch — January 7, 2013 at 8:37 am

    My family would love this cornbread, Rachel. Love it!

  5. #
    5
    Tracey — January 7, 2013 at 8:49 am

    You don’t like caramelized onions?! I don’t know if we can be friends anymore… I kid, I kid :) Anyway, this is such a genius idea – I wish I had a giant slice for breakfast!

  6. #
    6
    Kristen | Pixelated Crumb — January 7, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Yum! It may not have turned out like you wanted it to, but it still looks delicious!

  7. #
    7
    Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts — January 7, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Dang girl, this idea is just genius!! Bacon inside the cornbread and on top? Yes please!

  8. #
    8
    Erica @ In and Around Town — January 7, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Such delicious additions to cornbread! I have only tried jalapenos, but bacon? Of course!

  9. #
    9
    Lauren @ Climbnig Grier Mountain — January 7, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Completely brilliant! I’ve never thought of adding bacon to cornbread. Can’t wait to try this recipe!!

  10. #
    10
    sally @ sallys baking addiction — January 7, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    Hi Rachel! Now this is a bread my boyfriend would go NUTS over. He sometimes gets sick of all the sweet breads I bake (is he crazy? I love sweet breads!). But this is a fabulous addition to a quick bread archive and I must make something savory like it sometime!

  11. #
    11
    a farmer in the dell — January 7, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    I can smell your kitchen from here! YUM! bacon, cornbread, caramelized onions. I am sold!

  12. #
    12
    Jennifer @ Mother Thyme — January 7, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    Brilliant! I just love this cornbread. I’m like you, I so often spell caramel, carmel. I actually just did it as I was typing this too, lol! :)

    • #
      12.1
      Rachel — January 7, 2013 at 8:00 pm

      Ha! So glad I’m not alone with that. :)

  13. #
    13
    Cassie | Bake Your Day — January 7, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    This is such a great idea! I love the flavor combo!

  14. #
    14
    Aimee @ ShugarySweets — January 7, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    This looks awesome. The flavors sounds outstanding!!! And so pretty. Ha, love the carmel/caramel dilemma.

  15. #
    15
    Averie @ Averie Cooks — January 7, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    I dont eat bacon or onions but my hubs makes up for it. And he loves bread. This is his DREAM bread!

  16. #
    16
    Julie @ Table for Two — January 7, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    so glad you posted this after we talked about it yesterday. it looks SO good with that brown caramelized onion on top (boo, your whole spelling carmel thing tripped me up and i couldn’t even type caramelized haha) and the bacon..of course the bacon!

  17. #
    17
    llsilver — January 7, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    looks very delicious

  18. #
    18
    Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — January 9, 2013 at 12:53 am

    I want a big slice of this with a big bowl of chili! Or maybe just for breakfast…or lunch…or dinner…whatevs.

  19. #
    19
    Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} — January 9, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    This is one of those “keep your husband happy for life” recipe’s!!

  20. #
    20
    amanda @ fake ginger — January 10, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Love bacon cornbread! It looks awesome!

  21. #
    21
    Yvonne — January 11, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    I’m not a big fan of caramelized onions, but this looks delicious!

  22. #
    22
    nicole @ I am a Honey Bee — January 12, 2013 at 11:20 am

    I would eat that whole thing by myself. I love the way the house smells of caramelizing onions as well. so good.

  23. #
    23
    Kelly Senyei (Just a Taste) — January 17, 2013 at 10:06 am

    Oh my word! I want a piece of this ASAP! I love anything involving caramelized onions, but caramelized onions AND bacon… sign me up!

  24. #
    24
    Bun Boy / Bryan Sander — January 17, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Now I know what to do with all that lonely cornmeal that has been sitting on the counter, taunting me!!

  25. #
    25
    Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen — January 18, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    This is seriously amazing. I can’t even tell you how much I like caramelized onions.

  26. #
    26
    Elizabeth — January 23, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    Hi Rachel, I’m new to your site and would like to try this recipe but I’m not clear about when to add the caramelized onions. Do you mix them into the batter or put them on top before you bake the cornbread? Thanks!

    • #
      26.1
      Rachel — January 24, 2017 at 7:07 am

      Add them to the top of the batter prior to baking. Enjoy! :)

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