Hot, Buttery and Spicy Sweet Cornbread

HOT, BUTTERY AND SPICY SWEET CORNBREAD
2 T. olive oil
2 c. cornmeal
1 c. all-purpose flour
3 T. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/2t. baking soda
½ t. kosher salt
¼ t. red pepper
1 ½ c. buttermilk
¾ c. Miracle Whip or mayo
1 egg
2 T. cane syrup or honey
4 T. butter
4 T. honey
Fresh thyme

1. Preheat oven 400.
2. Place olive oil in 8” iron skillet and place in oven.
3. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper in large bowl and whisk.
4. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayo, egg and cane syrup.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix well.
6. Using oven mitt, remove hot skillet from oven.
7. Pour batter into skillet and return to oven.
8. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
9. Cook and stir butter, honey and thyme sprig in small pan over medium heat until butter is melted.
10. Remove sprig and pour honey-butter mixture over cornbread as soon as it comes out of oven.
11. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.