DRIED-FRUIT AND NUT CORNBREAD DRESSING

Dried-Fruit and Nut Cornbread Dressing image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 2h45m

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups cornmeal (not stone-ground)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
2 large eggs
Unsalted butter, for baking dish
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
4 large eggs
1 bunch scallions, white and pale-green parts only, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Cornbread:Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in top third. Melt butter in an 8- or 9-inch-square baking dish in oven. Meanwhile, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pecans, raisins, and cranberries in a bowl. Whisk together buttermilk and eggs in a large bowl. Gradually whisk melted butter (set aside baking dish) into buttermilk mixture.
Whisk cornmeal mixture into buttermilk mixture until just combined, then pour into buttered dish. Bake cornbread until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Cornbread can be made 2 days ahead and stored at room temperature or frozen up to 1 month.
Dressing:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut cornbread into roughly 1-inch pieces and place on a rimmed baking sheet, along with any crumbs. Toast until golden, about 30 minutes.
Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, scallions, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Fold in toasted cornbread and transfer to baking dish. Bake until custard is set and top is browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.