5 from 10 votes

Cuppa Cake Recipe

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Steel Magnolias Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa Cake is a three-ingredient viral dessert recipe that requires no box cake mix.

Typically attributed to Dolly Parton, this old-fashioned fruit cocktail cake recipe pairs with vanilla ice cream for a super simple and southern dish that grandma used to make (atleast in the movies).

cuppa cake on a plate.

Where did this Cuppa Cuppa Cake come from? 

This cuppa cuppa cuppa cake’s original recipe came from the movie Steel Magnolias; however, it came across our feed after being shared and going viral on TikTok, and we knew we had to try Truvy’s (played by Dolly Parton) infamous fruit cocktail cake.

This cake is named a “cuppa flour, cuppa sugar, and cuppa fruit cocktail.” After testing it twice, we realized that the only way to make it is with self-rising flour and not regular flour.

Would we make this Viral Cuppa Cuppa Cake again? Probably not.

It’s not really even a cake, it’s more like a cobbler, and it’s dense and rich.

Mine also didn’t get “gold and bubbly,” but just gold. I don’t see how it can bubble when it’s a cake. That being said, it’s fun to try as a novelty and works just fine with a side of vanilla ice cream for your sweet tooth.

Cuppa Cake Ingredients

  • Self-rising flour: You absolutely have to use self-rising flour. I know, because I used all-purpose flour the first one I made, and it didn’t turn out at all!
  • granulated white sugar
  • Fruit cocktail with juices – After some research, there has been some debate on whether or not to use heavy syrup or juice, but we feel that it doesn’t matter since we found references online that used both, and both turned out well.
  • Vanilla ice cream is optional for serving but recommended as this cake recipe isn’t overly sweet.

How to make Fruit Cocktail Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. 
  2. Combine self-rising flour, granulated sugar, and fruit cocktail with the liquid in a mixing bowl. Mix the cake batter well.
  3. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for 50–60 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Remove from oven and let cuppa cake stand to cool a bit. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream. 
cuppa cake step by step.
baking viral cake recipe.

Have you never seen Steel Magnolias? It’s a must-see movie!

About the Movie: Six divas of the silver screen—Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts—come together as bosom buddies in this hilarious and heartwarming story of life, love, and loss in a small Louisiana parish.

See more and rent or purchase movie here.

Cuppa Cake Variations and Recipe Tips

  • Because everyone loves the cherries in the fruit cocktail, grab an extra jar and add it to the cake before cooking.
  • Top with a bit of flaked coconut.
  • Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  • Adding frosting might seem weird with a fruit cocktail, so drizzle on a little brown sugar and pecans for added sweetness to this hot cake.
steel magnolias cake on a plate.

spoonful of fruit cocktail cake on a fork.

Get a 1 1/2 quart baking dish on Amazon here! This is a common baking dish size and is needed in tons of recipes.

5 from 10 votes

Cuppa Cake (Steel Magnolias Truvy)


Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Rest before serving 10 minutes
Cuppa Cake Recipe (Dolly Parton's Truvy Steel Magnolias cake) is a cuppa sugar, cuppa flour and cuppa fruit cocktail in this infamous movie recipe.

Equipment

  • 1 1/2 quart casserole dish

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 15.25 oz.  fruit cocktail with liquid
  • vanilla ice cream optional

Instructions

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees and grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  •  In a mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and fruit cocktail with liquid. Mix cake batter well.
  • Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until edges are browned, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
  • Remove from oven and let stand to cool a bit.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Notes

  • Because everyone loves the cherries in fruit cocktail, grab a jar of maraschino cherries and pop in a few extra to the dish (without the liquid).
  • Top with a bit of flaked coconut. 
  • Add teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • Adding frosting might seem weird with a fruit cocktail, so drizzle on a little brown sugar and pecans for added sweetness to this hot cake. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 1478kcal

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.

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5 from 10 votes
5 from 10 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. Sharon Young says:

    Family and friends love this. So do I ! Fast, easy, quick last minute dessert idea. Great with vanilla bean ice cream or whip topping. Or both as my son says.

  2. Seems like it’s a variation of a simple peach cobbler recipe (minus the milk & butter): 1 large can sliced peaches in heavy syrup, 1 C each: Flour, sugar, milk, I stick of melted butter. Toppings are optional, yet so many options! < Lol

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