Fried Cornbread

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using).
Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg and mix it with the buttermilk and melted butter (or oil). Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk.
Heat the Skillet: Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil or butter (about 1 tbsp) to coat the bottom of the pan.
Fry the Cornbread: Drop spoonfuls of the batter (about 2–3 tbsp per hoecake) into the hot skillet, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Flip carefully to avoid breaking.