There’s something magical about an easy dessert that asks almost nothing of you and gives back everything. Dolly Parton’s Cake with Fresh Blueberries is exactly that kind of recipe. A warm, old-fashioned cake that turns a handful of fresh blueberries into a vintage dessert that tastes like it took hours.
Full Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. For more info, see the Disclaimer Policy
#walmartpartner
This is the kind of recipe that used to live in every church cookbook and potluck rotation, and lately it’s having a well-deserved comeback. It’s easy to see why: minimal ingredients, almost no prep, and a golden, cake-like result that’s perfect straight out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Why This Recipe Works
Using fresh blueberries instead of canned fruit cocktail gives this version a brighter, less syrupy sweetness, and it’s a great way to use up blueberries when they’re in season. It’s more cake-like than the original Dolly Parton Fruit Cocktail cake recipe.
What Makes It a “Dolly Parton” Recipe
Dolly Parton has long been associated with recipes like this one! This is a version of the Dolly Parton Cuppa Cuppa Cake made with fruit cocktail. Simple, Southern, and rooted in the kind of resourceful home cooking that doesn’t require fancy techniques or a long grocery list. Whether or not this exact recipe came straight from her own kitchen, it fits right into that tradition: comforting, unfussy, and made for sharing.
PrintDolly Parton’s Cake with Fresh Blueberries
Dolly Parton’s Cake with Fresh Blueberries
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 55
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Flour
- 3/4 cup of milk
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Whisk dry ingredients and milk together.
- Then add blueberries
- Grease an 8×8-inch pan with cooking spray, then spread the mix until it is evenly coated.
- Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 min. Can be 40 to 60 minutes depending on your pan size and oven.
- A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving warm.
- Serve it warm with ice cream, or other toppings of your choice! I topped mine with yogurt and fresh berries.
- This version comes out more like a cake.
- Note: It should be self-rising flour. If you don’t have it, add 1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt for each cup.
Tips for the Best Blueberry Cake
- If your blueberries are very tart, a light sprinkle of sugar over them before adding the cake mix helps balance the flavor.
- Let it cool slightly before serving. The filling will be very hot straight from the oven and will thicken a bit as it cools.
- Leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as the original Dolly Parton fruit cocktail cake? It’s a variation on the same 3-ingredient method, just swapping fresh blueberries and milk for canned fruit cocktail. The texture is more cake-like instead of cobbler, and the technique and bake time are nearly identical.
Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh? Yes, you don’t need to thaw them first, but the bake time may run a few minutes longer since frozen berries release more liquid as they cook.
What other fruits work in this recipe? This same method works well with fresh peaches, cherries, or a mix of berries! It’s a great base recipe to customize with whatever fruit you have on hand.
Can I make this ahead of time? It’s best served warm the day it’s baked.
What size pan should I use? A standard 8×8-inch baking dish works best for this recipe. I used the 7 X 11 rectangular baker in my recipe; you can grab it HERE with my Walmart referral link.
Loved this recipe? Pin it for later!
Related Articles
Dolly Parton’s 3-Ingredient Fruit Cocktail Cake: The Retro “Cuppa Cuppa Cake” Recipe Everyone’s Making Again
Dolly Parton’s fruit cocktail cake takes just 3 pantry staples and no mixer. This easy fruit cocktail cake recipe is the retro dessert going viral again.
Dolly Parton Cake with Canned Peaches (3-Ingredient Dessert!)
Dolly Parton’s Cuppa Cuppa Cake with Peaches.
Dolly Parton’s Cake with Frozen Berries and Less Sugar: The Easy Retro Cake You Can Make Any Time of Year
Dolly Parton’s Cake With Frozen Berries and Less Sugar.