Step 1

Place your cast-iron skillet in the middle rack in your oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

Step 2

In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk all of your dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, gently whisk the eggs, then add the butter and buttermilk and whisk together.

Step 3

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are wet. Do not overwork. That'll make your cornbread dense. A few clumps are okay.

Step 4

Carefully remove your skillet from the oven and add the shortening. Swirl until melted.

Step 5

Pour in the batter. It'll make a sizzling sound as it makes contact with the pan. Gently level the top, then place back in the oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean.