I generally prefer to bake from scratch. But on those days when you don’t have the time to be bothered with measuring, these baking mixes sure come in handy! I love Trader Joe’s baking mixes. They never have those hydrogenated soybean oil or any preservatives in their mixes. With this particular baking mix, they also have corn kernels, which is nice because it actually gave the cornbread more texture and flavor.
I baked this during the day and paired it with a bowl of chicken chili (recipe to come…) we had for dinner. It really hit the spot. I love autumn! Perfect weather for soups, stews and chili! And it makes baking bearable again. Yay!
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of good quality bacon, cubed
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup of canola oil
- 3/4 cup of buttermilk
- 1 (15 ounce) box of cornbread mix (I used Trader Joe’s brand)
- 3 scallions, finely chopped
- 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Preparation:
In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown bacon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel; set aside. Reserve about 1 teaspoon of bacon fat for greasing the baking pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch round baking pan with the reserved bacon fat.
Using a stand or electric mixer (or mix by hand) beat egg, oil and buttermilk until well blended. Add cornbread mix, chopped scallions, cheddar cheese and bacon. Continue to mix until just moistened, do not overmix. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick/tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cornbread cool slightly before serving.
uni homemaker 
I love Trader Joes cornbread mix!! I always add in a can of diced green chiles and sometimes some cheddar cheese. I love that you added bacon though…totally doing that next time 🙂 mmm, can’t wait for your chicken chili recipe. So funny because I had a craving and was going to cook some up this week!
Must be very delicious Chef Anne,can you use it in THE breakfast???:)
Hi Massi, I have never had this for breakfast. Usually for dinner but I don’t see why not. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Bacan and cheddar-yum! this sounds so good!
Beautiful and fulfilling cornbread! Perfect for lunch, dinner and even breakfast. Always perfect! 🙂
Bacon! What a great add to cornbread! yummy!
Bacon makes everything taste better! I just love baking with chopped bacon. Perfect timing for fall and comfort food season, Anne! Thanks for sharing!
We had chicken chili and cornbread for dinner last night! We are on the same wavelength! I should have thought to put bacon in my cornbread though – what a great idea! Yours looks delish
Wow, I can imagine the delicious cake on my plate already
The corn bread looks so good! I don’t think I’ve had *real* corn bread here in Sydney, so it’s high on my list of things to try.
Oh my, yes, looks perfect. Can I eat this as a whole meal, please? 🙂
Everything is better with bacon. This looks amazing!
I have tried Trader Joe’s cornbread mix and its great! It has to be even better with bacon and cheddar. Can’t wait to see the chili! I love autumn, too. 🙂
Bacon and cheese…what’s not to love those gorgeous cornbread!?
I love to bake from scracth as well, but I don’t think I’ll get round to do it now that school has started :(( I wish we could get TJ mixes here too, because the ones they sell here are full of nasty additives yuk!
This looks amazing with the bacon and cheese bites. And I’m dying to see your recipe for chicken chili… I’m sure it’ll be lovely! x
I have nothing against boxed food, as matter of fact use them quite often, as long as they are conscientiously made/packed, I love Trader Joe’s. They are cooks’ helper. I like cornbread and it really is a treat whenever I have them. This is yummy!
Absolutely crazy about this! The only problem would be that I would eat the entire thing!!
Going to try this, will definitely buy the cornbread mix next time I visit Trader Joe.
WOW this looks yummy! Just in time for fall 🙂
I love making soups and baking in the fall too. This looks perfect to have with a big steaming hot bowl of soup.
I so wish I lived near Trader Joes. I miss them! This cornbread looks so good. You really can’t go wrong with bacon and cheese! Thank you so much for sharing!
I was just at Trader Joe’s today. I only started shopping there in the last couple of years – I was missing out for so long! Never tried the mixes but I bet it’s good. I’d love some of this to go with my soup!
Trader Joe’s is the best – it’s so nice to have a few short-cuts like this up your sleeve, Anne – especially if you trust the quality. This is such a fun adaptation!
I love cornbread and from a mix is a great idea – I think you and I are Trader Joe’s fans!
This looks absolutely tasty! Can’t wait to try it!
If I didn’t know it was from a box I’d swear this was made entirely from scratch. The corn kernels were a nice touch. Where was this stuff back when I was in college? I would have lived off of Trader Joe’s food instead of instant noodles.
Making fancy cornbread is better than just making it plain any day.
It’s all about the bacon…!
I adore plain old cornbread, but you’ve made it even better with cheese and bacon!!!
I try not to use baking mixes either but in a pinch at least I know with Trader Joe’s products that it’s quality stuff! Your modified version of their cornbread sounds awesome!
Trader Joe’s is the strangest place. It is absolutely full of products that you have no idea you can’t live without until you find them there. Then they become essential to your life! When TJ’s first opened here, my shopping cart would have just a few things in it. Now, 9 years later, my shopping cart is full every time I shop! I will add corn bread mix to the list. 🙂 Your add-ins sound delicious, Anne!
Thanks Wendy! I can’t live without Trader Joe’s. I do most of my shopping there. And whatever I can’t get there, I’ll go somewhere else for it. But for the most part, they have almost everything I need. I just love that place! 🙂
The Trader Joes baking mixes are the best- love that you added bacon here! I need to try this one!
I’ve heard good things about Trader Joe’s cornbread mix…I’ll have to try it sometime! Love the bacon addition to this bread 🙂
Cornbread is a southern fav of mine but add bacon and cheddar and its on a whole nother level! 🙂
http://www.prettybitchescancooktoo.com
Anne,
I don’t think I have ever asked this to anyone, but can I come over to your place for supper sometime? I grew up on “Johnny Cake” and maple syrup, often with fried bullhead that we caught from the river adjacent to our camp, in upstate New York. Seeing this post is like being “home.” Thanks for sharing!!
LOL, oh Dan! I wish you were closer so I can have you over! 😉 I’m glad it brought back fond memories for you. 🙂
Good looking stuff! When I make cornbread I often stir in some frozen corn, just to add that interest you talked about. We’re having friends over in a week or so for chili, and I just may be making cornbread! The two are a terrific combo, aren’t they? Fun post – thanks.
Mmm cornbread, cheddar and bacon…I could eat the whole thing right now!
Love cornbread and this looks delish! Of course anything with bacon is awesome, but I love that you added it (along with cheddar) to give this a semi homemade feel. I use box mixes sometimes, too. Sometimes they’re really good and sometimes the occasion calls for it (like you said, a quicky). I’ve had better luck with cornbread box mixes than making it from scratch so it’s good to know that the Trader Joe one is a good one to try. 🙂
We love cornbread with soups, stews and chilis! This would compliment any of them so well, I think. Great recipe, Anne!
You had me at bacon… 🙂
This looks SO good and I bet it was awesome with that chili! Can’t wait to see that recipe, too. =)
I LOVE cornbread! Add bacon and cheddar and I am ssssoooo making this with my next chili dish! Thanks for the great idea!
Yum! Bacon, cheese and scallion…delicious combination for this cornbread…
Thanks for the recipe Anne, hope you are having a fantastic week 😀
I was JUST craving cornbread like nobody’s business the other day… I think that might be a sign that fall is officially peeking around the corner. I love savoury versions, and this fits the bill perfectly.
Delightful cornbread — perfect with some soup 🙂
Taking something that is good and making it even better is great. Wish there was a TJ nearby. I’m looking forward to your chicken chili.
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oh, this looks yum. maybe I’ll throw some cranberries in when I try this out too!
I’ve never tried Trader Joe’s cornbread mix. Love cornbread with bacon and cheddar. Yours looks divine. Nothing better with a bowl of chili!
I am on a serious bacon and cheddar kick lately. These look awesome!
Good lord, my family would go cray-cray over these!! They sound so good!!