Caramelized Onion and Bacon Cornbread
ShareA classic loaf of cornbread with a sweet and salty topping of caramelized onions and bacon pieces.
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.
On another note… I can’t stop spelling caramelized wrong. I’m one of those people who says ‘carmle/carmel’Â 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
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
It must be so tasty!
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. :)
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.
My family would love this cornbread, Rachel. Love it!
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!
Yum! It may not have turned out like you wanted it to, but it still looks delicious!
Dang girl, this idea is just genius!! Bacon inside the cornbread and on top? Yes please!
Such delicious additions to cornbread! I have only tried jalapenos, but bacon? Of course!
Completely brilliant! I’ve never thought of adding bacon to cornbread. Can’t wait to try this recipe!!
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!
I can smell your kitchen from here! YUM! bacon, cornbread, caramelized onions. I am sold!
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! :)
Ha! So glad I’m not alone with that. :)
This is such a great idea! I love the flavor combo!
This looks awesome. The flavors sounds outstanding!!! And so pretty. Ha, love the carmel/caramel dilemma.
I dont eat bacon or onions but my hubs makes up for it. And he loves bread. This is his DREAM bread!
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!
looks very delicious
I want a big slice of this with a big bowl of chili! Or maybe just for breakfast…or lunch…or dinner…whatevs.
This is one of those “keep your husband happy for life” recipe’s!!
Love bacon cornbread! It looks awesome!
I’m not a big fan of caramelized onions, but this looks delicious!
I would eat that whole thing by myself. I love the way the house smells of caramelizing onions as well. so good.
Oh my word! I want a piece of this ASAP! I love anything involving caramelized onions, but caramelized onions AND bacon… sign me up!
Now I know what to do with all that lonely cornmeal that has been sitting on the counter, taunting me!!
This is seriously amazing. I can’t even tell you how much I like caramelized onions.
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!
Add them to the top of the batter prior to baking. Enjoy! :)