Preheat oven to 425°. Add 2 tsp. vegetable oil to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet; heat in oven 5 minutes. Stir together cornmeal mix and sugar in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, egg, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil, stirring just until blended. Pour batter into hot skillet. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden and cornbread pulls away from sides.
Shame on Southern Living. No Southerner puts sugar in cornbread.