Is Steel Magnolias one of your favorite chick flicks? I watch whenever it airs, maybe because food has such an active role. The Easter eggs getting smashed in Truvy’s car trunk starts it off. Truvy (Dolly Parton) and Annelle (Darryl Hannah) scooping corn and potatoes at the fair while updating Shelby (Julia Roberts) on Annelle’s transformation. M’Lynn (Sally Field) measuring sugar for holiday baked goods while Shelby is pouring her heart out about being pregnant. Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine. And until I looked this up, I thought was WEEZER) hacking the tail off the armadillo-shaped groom’s cake to punctuate her feelings toward Drum. Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) tossing cans of baked beans into the grocery shopping cart as she and Ouiser mull over Shelby’s upcoming surgery.
My favorite… Clairee asks Truvy for the recipe for her Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa. It haunted me. (put on your Dolly Parton voice:) “Oh hell, Clairee, you don’t need a recipe. It’s just a cup of flour, a cup of sugar and a cup of fruit cocktail WITH the syrup, stir and bake in a hot oven ‘til golden brown and bubbly. I serve it with ice cream to cut the sweetness.”
It occurred to me recently that I had a photo of myself with Dolly from around 1978 when she was visiting LA. Larry was an ad agency guy then, and his longtime radio sales friend Dick McGeary invited us to meet this rising country star, a newbie to me. She was as sweet as Truvy. And very short; I’m bending my knees to scrunch my 5’8” frame down and she was wearing platform heels.
So, back to the movie. Was Truvy’s recipe worth making? A few other bloggers who followed the recipe said pretty much the same thing. Hillbilly Food. That wasn’t enough to deter me so I made a batch and “I can report” (as Clairee would say) it’s more like college dorm food. Sticky, super sweet, but only three ingredients, so there’s merit. Annelle would like the fact that I will “Freeze It Beautifully” (the beans scene) until then.
Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa (also called Cupa Cupa Cupa in some internet sources)
-
1 cup flour
-
1 cup sugar
-
1 cup fruit cocktail in heavy syrup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together ingredients. Spray an 8 x 8 inch square pan with non-stick spray and spoon in batter, spread to the edges. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool until warm to the touch, cut into 16 squares.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve heard a few variations, such as canned peaches. But always serve it topped with ice cream, “to cut the sweetness” as Truvy said in the movie. It really does.
I have mine in the oven right now, this is the first time I am making this. I hope it comes out alright. Can you use any kind of canned fruit?
Try it using canned peaches……Much better and also it works best with self-rising flour! Always top with ice cream!
Hi Jay, sorry to disappoint you with my post. The recipe turns out sticky sweet. If YOU like “sticky sweet,” give it a try. I ate it but probably won’t make it again because it is so sweet. That is why Truvy recommended topping it with ice cream; that wasn’t a joke, it does cut the sweetness. The photo is exactly what it looks like when done.
Your reviews are of little to no worth. What about the ‘Cuppa’ recipe? Is it edible? Does it end up a sticky mess? Your comments were about loving the film, not how the thing turned out. Do i waste my time and ingredents making it or not?
I have been wondering if i can make this and i am very excited now to runt o my kitchen and make this for my boys. I will also make this on my next girls night movie with steel magnolias
I will speak in my Dolly P voice while making this, y’all!
Looooove Steel Magnolias! Those lines you recite make me nostalgic : )
I loved that movie and this cuppa cuppa!!!
Love the film AND that treat!
I love it!! Great movie, great food, great fun!