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Woman The Only One Who Bothered To Learn Grandma’s Secret Cake Recipe, Gets Called Out By Family As A Sellout After Going Commercial
This story’s a bit of a unique one.
It’s not every day that you find a story that asks the internet for its opinion on who’s the jerk in a given situation, and then folks actually get an update on how it all went down and got resolved.
In other words, rarely does a story of such caliber get an ending. Any ending.
A Redditor turned to the r/AITA community for some perspective on being called a sellout, and it was all pretty standard from there. But a year has passed and the same person has come out with an update.
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You would expect folks to fight over a secret recipe. You probably wouldn’t expect there to be an update to said conflict after a year
Image credits: Kevin Walter (not the actual photo)
So, over a year ago, Redditor u/grandmascakes approached r/AITA to figure out if she really deserves what her family has led her to believe.
The story goes that OP had an amazing grandmother, one who loved to bake—so much, in fact, that she wanted to open up a bakery. It was a dream of hers. Sadly, her grandmother fell ill. And decided that she would share her secret cake recipe with anyone willing to learn it.
So, it all began with grandma not feeling well and deciding she ought to pass on her special cake recipe that had been swaying hearts left and right
Image credits: grandmascakes
Nobody apart from OP stepped up. She’s not sure why, though—the family has several bakers, so you’d expect folks to be more than thrilled to learn a recipe that’s been the talk of the town for decades. After grandma’s passing, OP took over baking and bringing the legendary cake to family gatherings.
But OP wanted to take it further. She first started off baking the cake for family and friends, and its fame spread far and wide by word of mouth. Soon she had to expand, so she asked to use a friend’s kitchen, a professional one, that she used for her catering business. This in turn helped the friend’s takeout venture.
While the offer was open to everyone, only one person stepped up, and now she’s the only one who carries the sacred cake torch
Image credits: grandmascakes
Business was booming, but trouble was a-brewin’. OP’s cousin, Jane, found out about this new-found success with grandma’s cake recipe and started calling out OP. She said she had no right to “sell out” the recipe, and even more so since she kept it all to herself.
Conflict arose because OP low-key didn’t want anyone ruining what is a successful thing. She did not see her sister as a good confectionery baker because she wasn’t precise and wung all of her culinary creations.
It wasn’t long till the family noticed the torch-wielder has started making cakes for money, so they in turn started bashing her for selling out
Image credits: grandmascakes
Image credits: gardener41 (not the actual photo)
Besides, there seemed to be ulterior motives behind Jane’s actions as the reviews on her cakes left much to be desired, and she was also out of a job. Hence, the demand to either stop selling it, or teach her the recipe.
This is where the typical AITA story would end. But even back then, when people were shouting NTA left and right, a year has passed and the story got an update.
The story ended there, as most stories of such caliber do, but this ended up getting updated a year later, making folks online feel good
Image credits: grandmascakes
Needless to say, a lot of positive vibes came from it: OP opened her own bakery, business is booming, she took her sister on board, and grandma’s cake is as popular as ever. Oh, and everybody forgot their fights about the recipe. Even forgot they wanted the recipe to begin with.
She also provided some other contextual information while she was at it. Things like how she’s lucky to be the only proper takeout place in a central location and how her business caters everything from confectionery to soups to proper meals, and it’s also all available as takeout.
In the end, the two made up and actually teamed up as a confectionery/soup duo that also offers others dishes
Image credits: grandmascakes
Image credits: MollySVH (not the actual photo)
Needless to say, the business is booming, and everyone has managed to forget the conflicts of last year, or that they wanted the recipe
Image credits: grandmascakes
Most importantly, the two apologized and reconciled their relationship.
Across the two posts, OP received over 14,000 upvotes (98% upvoted on average) with several handfuls of Reddit awards, including golds, silvers, seals of approval, and all that jazz. If you want to check out all of this in context, click here for the beginning and here for the ending.
Image credits: grandmascakes
But, wait, that’s not the actual ending. The actual ending is you sharing your thoughts in the comment section below. And while you’re at it, give us an upvote because we need it on a Monday.
What do you think ?
Bunzilla 2 years ago
So glad everything turned out so well for everyone. Their talents compliment one another, and obviously they've found a solution that works beautifully for both of them. Their grandmother would be proud. Baking really is an exact science, while cooking is more of an art. People who are great at cooking are rarely good at baking, and vice-versa. There are some talented people who are great at both, but they're more rare.
Daffydillz' Cold Contagious 2 years ago
I kinda know what you mean, but when I was 13 years old, my mom and grandma told me that I made the best pie crust that they'd ever eaten. My grandma taught me, as she had several things. I loved to bake and cook then. I used to make character cakes for my kids birthdays and used the star tip a lot to make them with freehand by sight or memory. But I started to feel like baking was so tedious at times and I really grew to love cooking more. There was so much freestyle and creative directions that you could take food when cooking, that baking didn't allow for. I would have always loved to have opened a small restaurant when I was younger, I often daydreamed about it, but I never thought that it was possible at the time. It would have been interesting though.
Load More Replies...
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
Lovely story. They are both able to do the things they are best at, and in doing so are complement each other.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I really want to try this recipe now! I don't even live on the same continent so no competition from me!
Moonerdizzle 2 years ago
I was not expecting the wholesome everybody wins ending. I'm glad they are able to help each other. Sounds like they hit a win win situation
Mirjam Eikelboom 2 years ago
My family had a 'secret recipe' like that = then the person who held it suddenly died + the recipe was lost forever. Make sure you write it down + deposit it somewhere = if something happens to you, it will still be there for others to enjoy !!
A Random Anvil 2 years ago
I'm sorry but I wouldn't trust "Jane." It's nice they seemed to reach a civil conclusion, but if someone is trying to do what you've worked for without having to do the work themselves and then become an AH when you don't comply to their demands, it doesn't exactly instill a sense of trust for that person.
CatWoman312 2 years ago
There’s a bakery/bistro where I used to live with this concept and I wonder if it’s them. It’s called confection connection in Greenville, NC. The cakes and food are great. Again not sure if it’s the same place, but the concept is the exact same.
Ruth Hempsey 2 years ago
Warm fuzzies all round and Grandma smiling Upstairs. Thanks BP. We need more like this.
Beata Santa 2 years ago
Aww. Good on the Grandma and good on OP for making it work with Jane too <3
Marilyn Russell 2 years ago
That was a great story. I’m so happy for her success and know her grandma would be very proud of her.
Ivy la Sangrienta 2 years ago
Aww, I remember the original story, nice to have a lovely update! My grandmother was a seamstress and I have often regretted not having her teach me. I was a tomboy and couldn't care less, but she did teach my cousin who is a brilliant costumer/designer now. Grandma went down the tubes really fast with pancreatic cancer. I still miss her 30 years later.
Jennifer Roberson 2 years ago
I'm crying! What a great story, and a reminder that tomorrow isn't promised!
Mad McQueen 2 years ago
I learned my grandmothers secret family cheesecake. And my mother original Chex mix (minus pretzels and bran Chex) recipes. Now my sister doesn't make these. My moms doesn't anymore. My brother doesn't care. But one holiday I made my mom sister and brother(which I later found out he wasn't fond of) the cheesecakes. Listen they can eat one of those in a 11x20 (I think lasagna size) tin in a few days. It's good. And it's got a slightly Hungarian Bavarian German Pennsylvania heritage too. No one wants to learn it. I guess kids don't cook these days.
chrissy goodman 2 years ago
my grandma loves that my cousin took up the baking in the family. im a good baker too and ive already done a few recipes from my grandma. my cousin is better so i let her have the spotlight. i can easily bake for my husbands side and b just as happy telling my grandma about their reactions. my aunt started her own bakery using some of my grandmas recipes and we all thought it was a great idea we all supported her. she caters all over the U.S and i even asked if she could do cookies for my bridal shower and they were amazing. she used my grandmas sugar cookie recipe then made them into wedding dress and ring shapes then decorated them. it was amazing. i can make cookies but not like her. she is like an artist wen it comes to baking anything. unfortunately she lives in a different state so we dont get her baking on holidays but my cousin is just as good wen it comes to taste lol.
Ann Mohrmann 2 years ago
Okay, I don't bake so I don't care about the recipe...but what does this cake taste like?! Is is chocolate? Vanilla? Berry flavored? Some spice mix that you can't name but makes you think of Christmas?
Terry Lovelace 2 years ago
I'm the only one who knows almost all my mother's japanese recipes. I finally figured out how to cook the mushrooms for her rice roll. And her egg rolls, which I have been offered money for. A B&B owner offered me a few hundred dollars, lol. And her japanese fried rice. And etc.. I'm going to cook some rice and make me food while listening to old japanese music.
Cindy Cooksey 2 years ago
Wishing the best success! How amazing to take a family secret recipe and make a business oit of it. Just goes to show, never be afraid to share something. And, not every cook is a baker, not every baker is a cook. I can cook pretty much anything, but baking? I'll leave it to the pros. I hope these ladies continue to expand and expound!!
Lorider *ski 2 years ago
I always cooked with and watched my GrandMama cook while she was alive. I asked her if I could have her Recipe Book “one day.” I never would say, “when you die.” She said of course so I asked her to please write my name in it because I didn’t want anybody saying otherwise. When the inevitable happened, I asked for it. My Mom said my Aunt had it and was using it. I said that my name was in it, it was left to me, and I wanted it. If there was something in there that anybody wanted, they’ve had plenty time to ask and write it down. I also told my Mama that my Aunt could still copy anything out of it she wanted, but the original book was mine. I finally got it. I did feel guilty for awhile but only bc others were jealous and made callous remarks. I’m over it now. ☺️
Sharon Goulet 2 years ago
Very nice ending to the story. Playing up both person’s strengths and creating a business! However, I think I would patent that recipe!
Debra Duquette 2 years ago
Sorry, but I'm going to be "that person." The past tense of wing, as in winging a recipe, isn't wung. It would have been more concise to say either "She had a habit of winging her recipes." or "She was winging her recipes."
Higgleton 2 years ago
Feels unfair not sharing with cousin when asked for. Grandma gifts the recipe and OP refuses to share to protect her business. I understand the desire to protect, but I feel like OP slipped into AH territory. If it were her own recipe then fair enough but it wasn't.
Jp@nda 2 years ago
But since she was the only one that showed up her Grandma told her that it was HER recipe now. She had every right to say no, it wasn't about the money it was the memory too.
Load More Replies...
Bunzilla 2 years ago
So glad everything turned out so well for everyone. Their talents compliment one another, and obviously they've found a solution that works beautifully for both of them. Their grandmother would be proud. Baking really is an exact science, while cooking is more of an art. People who are great at cooking are rarely good at baking, and vice-versa. There are some talented people who are great at both, but they're more rare.
Daffydillz' Cold Contagious 2 years ago
I kinda know what you mean, but when I was 13 years old, my mom and grandma told me that I made the best pie crust that they'd ever eaten. My grandma taught me, as she had several things. I loved to bake and cook then. I used to make character cakes for my kids birthdays and used the star tip a lot to make them with freehand by sight or memory. But I started to feel like baking was so tedious at times and I really grew to love cooking more. There was so much freestyle and creative directions that you could take food when cooking, that baking didn't allow for. I would have always loved to have opened a small restaurant when I was younger, I often daydreamed about it, but I never thought that it was possible at the time. It would have been interesting though.
Load More Replies... Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
Lovely story. They are both able to do the things they are best at, and in doing so are complement each other.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I really want to try this recipe now! I don't even live on the same continent so no competition from me!
Moonerdizzle 2 years ago
I was not expecting the wholesome everybody wins ending. I'm glad they are able to help each other. Sounds like they hit a win win situation
Mirjam Eikelboom 2 years ago
My family had a 'secret recipe' like that = then the person who held it suddenly died + the recipe was lost forever. Make sure you write it down + deposit it somewhere = if something happens to you, it will still be there for others to enjoy !!
A Random Anvil 2 years ago
I'm sorry but I wouldn't trust "Jane." It's nice they seemed to reach a civil conclusion, but if someone is trying to do what you've worked for without having to do the work themselves and then become an AH when you don't comply to their demands, it doesn't exactly instill a sense of trust for that person.
CatWoman312 2 years ago
There’s a bakery/bistro where I used to live with this concept and I wonder if it’s them. It’s called confection connection in Greenville, NC. The cakes and food are great. Again not sure if it’s the same place, but the concept is the exact same.
Ruth Hempsey 2 years ago
Warm fuzzies all round and Grandma smiling Upstairs. Thanks BP. We need more like this.
Beata Santa 2 years ago
Aww. Good on the Grandma and good on OP for making it work with Jane too <3
Marilyn Russell 2 years ago
That was a great story. I’m so happy for her success and know her grandma would be very proud of her.
Ivy la Sangrienta 2 years ago
Aww, I remember the original story, nice to have a lovely update! My grandmother was a seamstress and I have often regretted not having her teach me. I was a tomboy and couldn't care less, but she did teach my cousin who is a brilliant costumer/designer now. Grandma went down the tubes really fast with pancreatic cancer. I still miss her 30 years later.
Jennifer Roberson 2 years ago
I'm crying! What a great story, and a reminder that tomorrow isn't promised!
Mad McQueen 2 years ago
I learned my grandmothers secret family cheesecake. And my mother original Chex mix (minus pretzels and bran Chex) recipes. Now my sister doesn't make these. My moms doesn't anymore. My brother doesn't care. But one holiday I made my mom sister and brother(which I later found out he wasn't fond of) the cheesecakes. Listen they can eat one of those in a 11x20 (I think lasagna size) tin in a few days. It's good. And it's got a slightly Hungarian Bavarian German Pennsylvania heritage too. No one wants to learn it. I guess kids don't cook these days.
chrissy goodman 2 years ago
my grandma loves that my cousin took up the baking in the family. im a good baker too and ive already done a few recipes from my grandma. my cousin is better so i let her have the spotlight. i can easily bake for my husbands side and b just as happy telling my grandma about their reactions. my aunt started her own bakery using some of my grandmas recipes and we all thought it was a great idea we all supported her. she caters all over the U.S and i even asked if she could do cookies for my bridal shower and they were amazing. she used my grandmas sugar cookie recipe then made them into wedding dress and ring shapes then decorated them. it was amazing. i can make cookies but not like her. she is like an artist wen it comes to baking anything. unfortunately she lives in a different state so we dont get her baking on holidays but my cousin is just as good wen it comes to taste lol.
Ann Mohrmann 2 years ago
Okay, I don't bake so I don't care about the recipe...but what does this cake taste like?! Is is chocolate? Vanilla? Berry flavored? Some spice mix that you can't name but makes you think of Christmas?
Terry Lovelace 2 years ago
I'm the only one who knows almost all my mother's japanese recipes. I finally figured out how to cook the mushrooms for her rice roll. And her egg rolls, which I have been offered money for. A B&B owner offered me a few hundred dollars, lol. And her japanese fried rice. And etc.. I'm going to cook some rice and make me food while listening to old japanese music.
Cindy Cooksey 2 years ago
Wishing the best success! How amazing to take a family secret recipe and make a business oit of it. Just goes to show, never be afraid to share something. And, not every cook is a baker, not every baker is a cook. I can cook pretty much anything, but baking? I'll leave it to the pros. I hope these ladies continue to expand and expound!!
Lorider *ski 2 years ago
I always cooked with and watched my GrandMama cook while she was alive. I asked her if I could have her Recipe Book “one day.” I never would say, “when you die.” She said of course so I asked her to please write my name in it because I didn’t want anybody saying otherwise. When the inevitable happened, I asked for it. My Mom said my Aunt had it and was using it. I said that my name was in it, it was left to me, and I wanted it. If there was something in there that anybody wanted, they’ve had plenty time to ask and write it down. I also told my Mama that my Aunt could still copy anything out of it she wanted, but the original book was mine. I finally got it. I did feel guilty for awhile but only bc others were jealous and made callous remarks. I’m over it now. ☺️
Sharon Goulet 2 years ago
Very nice ending to the story. Playing up both person’s strengths and creating a business! However, I think I would patent that recipe!
Debra Duquette 2 years ago
Sorry, but I'm going to be "that person." The past tense of wing, as in winging a recipe, isn't wung. It would have been more concise to say either "She had a habit of winging her recipes." or "She was winging her recipes."
Higgleton 2 years ago
Feels unfair not sharing with cousin when asked for. Grandma gifts the recipe and OP refuses to share to protect her business. I understand the desire to protect, but I feel like OP slipped into AH territory. If it were her own recipe then fair enough but it wasn't.
Jp@nda 2 years ago
But since she was the only one that showed up her Grandma told her that it was HER recipe now. She had every right to say no, it wasn't about the money it was the memory too.
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