Cuppa Cuppa Cake
The legendary, impossibly easy “Cuppa Cuppa Cake” made famous by the movie Steel Magnolias. It’s called that because you measure the three main ingredients with a cup! No mixer, no fuss—just dump, stir, and bake for a humble, comforting, pudding-like cake.
Original Steel Magnolias “Cuppa Cuppa Cake”
Yield: One 8×8 or 9-inch round cake (about 9 servings)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 45-55 minutes
Ingredients
· 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
· 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
· 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, canned peach syrup, or fruit juice
· 1 stick (½ cup / 113g) unsalted butter, melted
· 1 cup (about 5 oz / 140g) fresh or canned fruit (peaches, berries, etc.), chopped if large
· Optional: 1 tsp baking powder (for a slightly lighter texture)
· Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract or almond extract
· For serving: Powdered sugar, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan.
- Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour (and baking powder, if using). Gradually whisk in the milk (or liquid) until smooth. Stir in the melted butter and extract, if using.
- Assemble: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Scatter the fruit evenly over the top—do not stir.
- Bake: Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cakey part (not fruit) comes out clean. The fruit will sink and create a saucy bottom layer.
- Serve: Let cool for at least 15 minutes. The cake will be tender and have a custardy, fruit-pudding-like bottom. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar or topped with whipped cream/ice cream.
Popular Variations
- Peach Cuppa Cuppa (The Classic)
· Use 1 cup of sliced canned peaches (drained, syrup reserved). Use the peach syrup as your “cuppa” liquid.
- Berry Cuppa Cuppa
· Use 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries). Use milk as your liquid and add 1 tsp lemon zest to the batter.
- Apple Spice Cuppa Cuppa
· Use 1 cup finely diced apple. Use apple cider or milk as your liquid. Add 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg to the flour.
- Pineapple Cuppa Cuppa
· Use 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained, juice reserved). Use the pineapple juice as your liquid.
Important Tips & Notes
· Texture: This is not a light, fluffy cake. It’s dense, moist, and pudding-like—especially underneath the fruit. That’s its charm!
· The Fruit Sinks: This is intentional and creates the signature layered effect.
· No Baking Powder? The original recipe doesn’t use it, making it a very dense, spoonable dessert. Adding 1 tsp gives it a slightly more cake-like crumb.
· Pan Size Matters: An 8×8 or 9-inch round is ideal. A 9×13 will make a very thin cake; reduce baking time by 10-15 minutes.
· Storage: Cover and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
“It’s a cuppa flour, a cuppa sugar, a cuppa fruit cocktail with the syrup. Stir it up and bake it at 350 until gold and bubbly. I serve it with ice cream to cut the sweetness.” – Truvy Jones