Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or cast-iron skillet with cooking spray or butter.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Stir in the crumbled bacon, chopped herbs, and cheddar cheese, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the dry mixture.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix—some lumps are okay!
Pour the cornbread batter into the prepared baking dish or skillet, smoothing the top with the back of a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cornbread is baking, mix the softened butter, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
Once the cornbread is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Serve warm with a generous dollop of the herb butter on top.