If you’re familiar with the movie Steel Magnolias, then you likely already know about this classic southern recipe— Cuppa Cuppa Cake. As Dolly Parton’s character explains, this cake is so simple that you don’t have to write it down. It’s just “A cuppa flour, a cuppa sugar, a cuppa fruit cocktail, and bake it till golden brown.” So easy you can make it from memory. No wonder it’s been a staple in the south for so long!

While we’ve stuck pretty dang close to that original recipe here, there are a few details you need to know for the best results. You’ll want to use a self-rising flour instead of standard all-purpose flour since there’s no baking powder in the batter. The other addition is ¼ cup of butter. Use it to grease your baking dish very generously, then slice up the rest into pats and place it on top of the cake batter before it goes in the oven. This will add a buttery crunch that really puts it over the top.

The cake is quite sweet and almost cobbler-like in texture, so it’s excellent served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh whipped cream. Cut it into slices or dig in with a serving spoon, presentation is up to you. Whether you’re revisiting the recipe as a Steel Magnolias fan or discovering it for the first time, this cake is sure to win you over with the first bite!