Appreciation post: My grandma's 'secret' cornbread recipe was just a box mix

For years, my grandma swore her cornbread was a family secret from her mom in Tennessee. She'd never let anyone see her make it, just brought out the perfect pan every Sunday. When she passed, I found the 'recipe card' in her kitchen. It was just the back of a Jiffy corn muffin mix box, with her note that said 'add an extra egg and a big spoon of sour cream.' I was so let down at first, like our whole tradition was fake. But I made it her way last week, and you know what? It's still the best cornbread I've ever had. It's not about the box, it's about her little tweak and the memory. Has anyone else had a family 'secret' turn out to be something super simple like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

paulperry1mo ago

Add an extra egg and a big spoon of sour cream" is the real secret. My family's "famous" chili was just a packet with extra ground beef.

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maxb461mo ago

That "famous family secret" thing is so true, ours was just adding extra cheese to boxed mac and cheese.