Cornbread With Dried Cranberries

Directions

1. 1
   *Note: you can mimic the flavor of Trader Joes' brand of orange flavored dried cranberries by stirring about 1/4 teaspoon of orange extract into the batter.
2. 2
   CORNBREAD: Preheat oven to 375 degrees (190 degree C).
3. 3
   In a small saucepan over medium low heat, melt [2 tablespoons] of butter and set aside. Cut up the remaining 2 tablespoons butter into an 8-inch cast iron skillet.
4. 4
   Place pan in oven until it is hot and the butter is melted and sizzling, about 1-2 minutes (Watch carefully!) Using oven mitts, rotate the pan as need to coat bottom evenly with melted butter. Remove from oven.
5. 5
   In large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Make a well in the center. Whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter and beaten egg and pour it into the cornmeal mixture.
6. 6
   Using a wooden spoon, mix the batter just until it comes together, okay to have some lumps. DO NOT overmix the batter.
7. 7
   Coarsely chop the cranberries and stir them into the batter. Tip: to make chopping the cranberries easier, wet the knife on both sides. Spread batter evenly into the hot pan.
8. 8
   Bake at 375 degrees until the top springs back when pressed gently in the center, about 20 to 25 minutes.
9. 9
   Let cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Best served warm.
10. 10
    If desired, spread some of the maple butter onto each slice of cornbread.
11. 11
    MAPLE BUTTER: Using a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, heat maple syrup until 235 degrees Fahrenheit (soft ball stage on a candy thermometer).
12. 12
    Stir in butter.
13. 13
    Pour mixture into a [deep] bowl (use a *deep* bowl to avoid splattering yourself with the hot liquid!), stir in the vanilla extract and beat with electric mixer until thick and creamy, about 4 minutes.
14. 14
    Keep stored in glass container in the refrigerator.