Dolly Parton's Cuppa Cuppa Cake Recipe Is a Gold & Bubbly Southern Dessert (3 Ingredients, 35 Minutes) by Donna John
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Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026 at the age of 80. May she rest in peace.
Remember in Steel Magnolias when Truvy (aka Dolly Parton) shared her recipe for cuppa cuppa cake with Clairee (Olympia Dukakis)? She explained that you just need a cup of sugar, a cup of flour and a can of fruit cocktail, then bake until it's "gold and bubbly." Because I'm from the south, love Steel Magnolias and Dolly Parton (check out her latest cookbook, Good Lookin' Cookin'), this cake had to be tested in my kitchen.
This three-ingredient cake recipe will be made high on my dessert playlist from now on. You can prepare the batter almost in your sleep, it's moist and almost cobbler-like in texture and amazing delicious warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. The cake is equally delicious naked, just as it is.
To make this southern cake recipe you will need granulated sugar (1 cup), self-rising flour (1 cup) and a can of fruit cocktail. These ingredients can be kept in your pantry for when you need a dessert quick for friends, family or unexpected guests, or just when the sweet snack attack hits. The cake mixes up in minutes and bakes up in about 30 minutes.
Serve this moist, cobbler-like cake (don't expect perfectly sliced pieces of cake) warm or at room temperature as-is or topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. I guarantee you will be asked often for the recipe when you serve this fruity cake, so keep some copies in your purse.
Variation: Try this recipe with just canned peaches, pears or tropical fruit cocktail.
P.S. Another amazing thing about this cake? My dad, who didn't really care about desserts or food in general, loved it. Needless to say, this made my day. Thank you, Dolly. May you rest in peace and grace the angels with your kindness and beautiful voice.
Cuisine: American / Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 15 ounces (1 can) fruit cocktail (do not drain)
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Here's how to make it:
- Put the ingredients into a mixing bowl. (Do not drain the fruit cocktail. Dump the whole can into the mixing bowl. You can use fruit cocktail in heavy syrup or in its natural juice. It will be sweeter if you use heavy syrup fruit cocktail. I used fruit cocktail in heavy syrup. Be sure to use self-rising flour, not regular all-purpose flour. If you use all-purpose flour, it will not rise.)
- Whisk to combine.
- Spread into a buttered 8x8-inch baking pan.
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden and cooked through (ovens vary).
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Store the cake in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap to keep it fresh and moist. Reheat the cake in the microwave.
Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.
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