Yes it is true, we had the best lunch ladies.
Now, I knew it couldn't be all that hard to make this to cafeteria lady perfection. One day, well let me start at the beginning.
I had been on the hunt for the perfect cornbread for a long while. Perfect to me was sweet and NOT DRY! No hunks of peppers, jalapenos or corn either!
I used to do a "Wednesday Morning Coffee Chat" on Facebook. We at some point were discussing cornbread because I very much dislike dry tasteless cornbread. I didn't grow up with it being made at home so maybe I just had no palate for it. As I stated I loved the stuff we had at school, with chili! So during the live chat I phoned my old Elementary School, asked for the cafeteria and asked for the person who had been in the kitchen the longest. I got her on the phone and told her I was wanting to recreate it at home, and for my viewers and readers and she told me the secret. Sugar, butter and honey. Her exact words, "a TON of it". In it, and on it! Awesome I had my info and I could get to work.
Fast forward 2 years (LOL) when I actually started working on it. At first it wasn't moist enough, then the corners didn't have that chewy done part we fight over on the edges. She also told me they use JIF Cornbread Mix. I forgot to tell you that. How it ended up was the bit of honey IN the mixture gives you those crispy, chewy edges. The sour cream gives it an incredible moist texture. which extra milk contributes to as well. Just don't skip any steps and if you went to OES! You will take one bite and instantly go back in time!
Here is what you will need:
Jif Cornbread mix
1 egg
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup white Granulated Sugar
1 T Honey
Topping;
3-4 T Melted Butter
3 T Honey
Preheat oven to recommended temperature on the mix, mine is 400! In a large bowl combine, dry mix, egg, milk, sour cream, 1T honey and sugar. Mix to combine and let sit for 5 minutes to rest.
Prepare an 8x8 square baking dish by spraying with nonstick cooking spray or buttering it. Pour cornbread mixture into the pan and bake for recommended time. The center may get a little dark and that is perfeclyt fine. Test with a toothpick and when inserted it should come out with NO wet batter!
While the goodness is in the oven, melt your butter and honey together. Be ready, if you miss the window of perfect timing, it won't work. (kidding) When you take out the cornbread use a toothpick and poke little holes all over that baby. Then, drizzle that honey butter all over the top. Don't forget even the tiniest spot! Let sit for 5 minutes.
If this doesn't take you right back to Ord Elementary, I don't know what will!
ENJOY!
