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.
Recipe: Truvy’s Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa from Steel Magnolias
Summary: Is Steel Magnolias one of your favorite movies? I tried Truvy’s recipe, and here it is.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fruit cocktail in heavy syrup
Instructions
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.
Meal type: dessert
Culinary tradition: USA (Southern)
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I think I would try this with a splenda blend and maybe a light syrup for a slightly less sweet mix….but I do want to play with this recipe. Thanks.
Thank you for the perspective, Sheila. In 1978, country music just wasn’t a big deal here in Los Angeles. I do love Dolly.
FYI, Dolly Parton was FAR from a rising star in 1978. In 1967 she became a regular on the Porter Waggoner show. And in 1974, her song, “I Will Always Love You,” went to # 1.
I am currently playing Truvy in the play, so to quote Ouiser, “I am intrigued.” Anyway, what I discovered is that it they left off one cuppa. It is much better with a cuppa butter mixed in!
I’ve been dying to try this. And i’m going to this weekend.
And I’m sorry to split hairs, but “hillbilly” and “southern” are not (always) the same thing. The story takes place in Louisiana. Very few hills or mountains in that state. I’m betting the recipe is a relic from the 50s when ladies’ magazines were publishing unholy combinations of canned and other prepared foods.
And from what I can see in the Christmas festival scene, Truvy and Annelle are scooping up a Low-country Boil. Delish!
My fav movie of all time!…and has anyone figured out just exactly what Dolly Parton was dishing up at that Christmas Festival? Has anyone found the recipe?
That festival is in fact real in that town and I would imagine that it is served there every year. There is a web site for the festival but I don’t see a list of what all is served.
My hillbilly grandma made it with canned peaches sitting on top rather than mixed in. Truly sophisticated tasting. Divine. Since, I’m from Hawaii, I’m making mine with white wholegrain flour (like that used in Sara Lee white whole grain bread) and sweetened mangos on top.
WOW, now I have to see the play. Maybe the way Truvy delivers the lines is just funnier.
In the play, it’s actually Clairee’s recipe…don’t know why they switched it for the movie.
Not really a hilbilly recipe. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and my mom used to make something similar using fruit pie filling, boxed cake mix and squeezy parkay. Put 2 cans of pie filling in greased cassarole dish, cover with contence of cake mix box and dot with butter or the squezy parkay, bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until light golden brown.
This was Piecake. I loved it with cherry pie filling but any fruit pie filling will do
Karen – I don’t see why not. The concoction is pretty sticky and sweet anyway. If you do so, please report your results!
I wonder if you can make this with heavy syrup-ed (is that a word) pineapple?
Damien, I luv hillbillies, LOL. Best cooks out there.
This is a common southern recipe… often called fruit cocktail cake. I don’t agree that peaches make it better, then it just tastes like a super sweet peach cobbler. The best fruit cocktail to use is the extra cherries. I serve it warm and always with ice cream on top. It is way too sweet without it. Made my night running into this recipe blog. I guess I’m a “hillbilly”
Helen, you are so sweet. Thank you for your support about my writing style. Great way to end the week, thanks!
I’m thrilled to see your recipe and anecdotes from the film. I’m going to try it, just to pay homage to the film pretty much as you have done
Please don’t change your writing style no matter what some other rude poster has said. There are many recipe sites, if one doesn’t appeal you can find another. There’s no need to be ignorant though
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!