This hot water cornbread is a very old-fashioned recipe. The cornbread is shaped into little cakes and fried rather than baked. Serve the cakes warm with maple syrup or honey.
1 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
¾ cup boiling water
1 tablespoon bacon grease
1 cup bacon grease, or as needed
Combine cornmeal, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add boiling water and 1 tablespoon bacon grease; stir until bacon grease melts melts.
Pour bacon grease to a depth of 1/2-inch in a large skillet; heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Shape cornmeal mixture into 12 flattened balls using a heaping tablespoon as a measuring guide.
Fry, turning once, in hot oil until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.