Mix your cornmeal and flour in a large bowl. Add the sugar, salt, and baking powder next. Stir these dry items until they are well combined.

Whisk your buttermilk and eggs in a separate bowl. Add the baking soda to the buttermilk mixture now. Watch for it to bubble up a little bit.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients in one bowl. Stir until just combined but do not overmix it. A few small lumps in the batter are fine.

Remove the hot skillet from the oven using mitts. Drop your shortening into the hot pan to melt. It should sizzle and coat the entire bottom.

Pour the batter into the hot, greasy skillet quickly. The edges should start cooking immediately. This creates the famous crispy Pioneer Woman crust.

Slide the skillet back into the hot oven carefully. Bake it for about twenty to twenty-five minutes. The top should be a beautiful golden brown color.