Dolly Parton’s Southern Green Tomato Delight
Experience a taste of the South with Dolly Parton’s Southern Green Tomato Delight, a unique and flavorful cake that highlights the versatility of green tomatoes. Adapted from Dolly's treasured recipe in 'Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s,' this dense, moist cake combines the sweetness of sugar with the subtle tartness of green tomatoes, creating a truly unforgettable dessert. Loaded with plump raisins, crunchy walnuts, and chewy coconut, every slice delivers a delightful texture that dances on the palate. Whether served plain or adorned with a rich cream cheese frosting, this cake is sure to impress your family and friends at any gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
raisins
1 cup (soaked in hot water)
hot water
as needed (for soaking raisins)
all-purpose flour
3 cups (sifted)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (sifted with flour)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (sifted with flour)
ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (sifted with flour)
granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups (for batter)
butter
1 cup (melted)
eggs
3 (beaten)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (for batter)
chopped walnuts
1 cup (toasted if desired)
green tomatoes
1 1/4 lbs (cored, seeded, and diced small)
unsweetened flaked coconut
1 cup (for batter)
cream cheese
1 lb (chilled (two 8-oz packages))
butter
8 tablespoons (at room temperature for frosting)
vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (for frosting)
powdered sugar
4 cups (sifted for frosting)
ground cinnamon
1 pinch (to taste in frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch circular cake pans with butter and lightly dust them with flour.
2
In a small bowl, soak the raisins in hot water for about 10-15 minutes until plump. If desired, replace the water with warm rum or another liquor for added flavor.
3
In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Set this mixture aside.
4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
5
Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth batter forms without lumps.
6
Drain the soaked raisins and add them to the batter along with the chopped walnuts, diced green tomatoes, and flaked coconut. Gently fold all ingredients until evenly distributed.
7
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans, smoothing it out with a spatula.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in the pans on wire racks.
9
When the cakes are cool enough to handle, slide a knife around the edges to loosen them, then invert the pans to transfer the cakes onto the racks to cool completely.
10
If you choose to frost your cake, prepare the cream cheese frosting as the layers cool. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the chilled cream cheese and room-temperature butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
11
Mix in the vanilla extract and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is fully combined and fluffy. Finally, add a pinch of ground cinnamon to taste.
12
To assemble the cake, place one cooled layer on a serving plate. Use a spatula to spread half of the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top. Gently place the second layer on top and frost it with the remaining frosting.
13
Slice, serve, and enjoy the delightful flavors of this Southern-inspired cake!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dolly Parton’s Southern Green Tomato Delight?
It is a unique, dense, and moist Southern-style cake that uses green tomatoes to create a flavorful dessert with a subtle tartness.
What is the source of this recipe?
This recipe is adapted from Dolly Parton’s cookbook titled 'Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s'.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this cake?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 1/4 lbs of green tomatoes that have been cored, seeded, and diced small.
Does the cake taste like tomatoes?
The green tomatoes provide a subtle tartness and moisture, but the cake's primary flavor profile is sweet and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.
What size cake pans are required?
You should use two 9-inch circular cake pans that have been greased with butter and lightly dusted with flour.
What temperature should the oven be?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How should I prepare the raisins for the batter?
Soak one cup of raisins in hot water for about 10-15 minutes until they are plump, then drain them before adding to the batter.
Can I add alcohol to this recipe?
Yes, you can replace the hot water used for soaking the raisins with warm rum or another liquor for added flavor.
Which dry ingredients are sifted together?
You should sift together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
What wet ingredients are used in the batter?
The wet mixture consists of 2 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of melted butter, 3 beaten eggs, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
What type of nuts are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped walnuts, which can be toasted if desired.
Does the recipe include coconut?
Yes, the batter includes 1 cup of unsweetened flaked coconut for added texture.
How long should the cake bake?
The cakes should bake for approximately 60 minutes.
How do I check if the cake is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is finished baking.
How should I cool the cakes?
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on wire racks initially, then loosen the edges with a knife and invert them onto the racks to cool completely.
What type of frosting is used for this cake?
The cake is traditionally topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
What are the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting?
The frosting requires 1 lb of chilled cream cheese, 8 tablespoons of room-temperature butter, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar, and a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Should the cream cheese be room temperature for the frosting?
No, the instructions specify using chilled cream cheese for the frosting.
How is the frosting prepared?
Beat the chilled cream cheese and room-temperature butter until smooth, then mix in vanilla, gradually add powdered sugar, and finish with a pinch of cinnamon.
How do I assemble the finished cake?
Place one layer on a plate, spread half the frosting on top, place the second layer on top, and frost the remaining surface.
Is the butter in the cake batter melted or softened?
The butter for the cake batter should be melted, while the butter for the frosting should be at room temperature.
What is the texture of the finished cake?
The cake is described as dense and moist with a delightful crunch from walnuts and a chewy texture from the coconut and raisins.
How many eggs do I need?
The recipe requires 3 eggs, which should be beaten before being added to the batter.
Can I serve this cake plain?
Yes, the cake can be served plain or adorned with cream cheese frosting.
How should the green tomatoes be sliced?
They should be diced into small pieces after being cored and seeded.
Do I need to sift the powdered sugar?
Yes, the instructions recommend sifting the 4 cups of powdered sugar before adding it to the frosting.
Does the frosting contain spices?
Yes, the frosting includes a pinch of ground cinnamon added to taste.
What is the serving size for this cake?
While specific serving counts aren't provided, it is a two-layer 9-inch cake designed for family gatherings.
Should the batter be smooth?
The batter should be stirred until smooth and without lumps before folding in the tomatoes, nuts, raisins, and coconut.
Is this a traditional Southern dessert?
Yes, it is described as a Southern-inspired cake that highlights the versatility of regional green tomatoes.