PIMENTO CHEESE FILLING

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2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp yellow Cheddar, at room temperature

4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons finely chopped drained pimentos

2 tablespoons grated onion

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more for dusting

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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CORNBREAD

Nonstick cooking spray, for coating the muffin tin

1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 ¼ cups buttermilk

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg plus 1 yolk, lightly beaten together

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1. Stir together the Cheddar, cream cheese, pimentos, onion, cayenne, ½ teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a mixing bowl until combined and creamy. Divide the cheese mixture into 12 heaping tablespoons and shape into balls. Chill the balls until firm and cold, about 20 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.

3. Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, butter and beaten egg and yolk in another medium bowl. Fold the egg mixture into the cornmeal mixture using a rubber spatula, mixing until a slightly lumpy batter just comes together.

4. Fill each prepared muffin tin cup about halfway full with some of the batter. Put a chilled cheese ball in each muffin cup, pushing down slightly so the batter swells up around the cheese. Top evenly with the remaining batter (each cheese ball will be completely covered) and dust lightly with cayenne. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.