2 Cookin Mamas

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me & Contact
  • Cookbooks
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Desserts » Tomato Soup Cake

    Tomato Soup Cake

    Published: Apr 19, 2023 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Don't let the name confuse you - tomato soup cake is perfectly moist with a balance of sweet and spicy flavors that makes you savor every single bite. And when you taste this spice cake topped with a crunchy toasted coconut topping, you just might want to skip dinner and go right to dessert. Just sayin'!

    Tomato Soup Cake in front of window.

    FYI - This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All links are products I use when making my recipes.

    Table of Contents

    • Vintage Cake Recipe
    • Tomato Soup Cake History
    • What Does Tomato Soup Cake Taste Like?
    • Why You'll Love This Tomato Soup Cake Recipe
    • Ingredients for Tomato Soup Spice Cake
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Store And Freeze
    • More Quick & Easy Desserts

    Vintage Cake Recipe

    This vintage tomato soup cake recipe has been a family favorite for at least 40 years. We called it "One Bowl Surprise Cake". I can remember writing it out when I was a young teen. In fact, it's still on an old index card that I keep in my recipe box. I know, I know, yes I still have one of those!

    Cake slice on server.

    I just love easy recipes that don't dirty up half the kitchen bowls and utensils. This one uses just one bowl and the baking dish. How great is that?!

    The first time I made this cake, I remember thinking, this is going to turn out awful! Especially with a can of tomato soup in it. Who knew that this pantry staple could make such an out-of-this-world, moist, and delicious spice cake!

    Spice cake with tomato soup with slice out.

    Tomato Soup Cake History

    Believe it or not, tomato soup cake has been around since the early 1900s! It was first popularized in the United States during the Great Depression when resources were scarce and people had to get creative with the ingredients they had on hand. A version with no eggs became popular during wartime rationing during World War II.

    The recipe quickly gained popularity in the 1950s, especially among housewives who were looking for a cheap and easy way to make a delicious cake. It was the first recipe to be on the back of a soup can.

    The original recipe for tomato soup cake included flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, raisins, and of course, tomato soup. The tomato soup added moisture and a subtle sweetness to the cake, making it a unique and flavorful dessert.

    Over the years, different variations of the recipe emerged, with some adding different spices or ingredients like nuts or chocolate chips. The recipe was also updated to utilize box cake mixes for convenience. Today, tomato soup cake remains a beloved classic in many households and bakeries.

    What Does Tomato Soup Cake Taste Like?

    No, this cake doesn't taste like tomato soup. In fact, all the tomato soup does for the cake is add a deeper flavor profile. All the spices and sugar mix with the tomato soup to create a cake that tastes more like a pumpkin cake than anything else.

    In fact, we challenge you to try and see if you can taste the tomatoes at all! We bet you can't.

    Why You'll Love This Tomato Soup Cake Recipe

    This robust spice cake with tomato soup is moist and tender. Every bite melts in your mouth. As it bakes, your kitchen will fill with smells of cinnamon and nutmeg - it's better than any scented candle.

    Plus, the cake is made in one bowl so there is less cleanup (I'm all about that!).

    Instead of frosting, it has a simple coconut topping that bakes in the bottom of the pan with the cake. This makes it even easier and quicker - you don't have the time and effort involved with making frosting.

    It makes a quick go-to dessert or afternoon snack and you might even be tempted to have a slice for breakfast (now I can't imagine why I thought of that!).

    Ingredients for Tomato Soup Spice Cake

    Tomato Soup Cake recipe ingredients.

    For the coconut topping:

    • Butter
    • Brown Sugar
    • Coconut Flakes

    For the cake:

    • Canned condensed tomato soup
    • Shortening
    • Eggs
    • All-purpose flour
    • Sugar
    • Baking powder
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Ground nutmeg
    • Ground cloves (optional)

    How to Make Tomato Soup Cake from Scratch

    Steps 1-4 to make cake batter.
    1. Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, shortening, and tomato soup in a large mixing bowl.
    2. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
    3. Add eggs, and continue beating for 2 more minutes.
    4. The batter will be smooth and slightly thick.
    Steps 5-10 to make coconut topping and bake.
    1. Place butter in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high in 30-second increments until melted. Pour into your baking dish. If you are using glass, you can just place the baking dish in your microwave for 30 seconds. 
    2. Sprinkle brown sugar on top in an even layer.
    3. Then sprinkle coconut over the sugar.
    4. Pour the batter over the coconut.
    5. Spread the batter evenly then bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
    6. Once baked, let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
    Steps to take cake out of pan.
    1. Invert the partially cooled cake onto a platter and leave the pan on top of the cake for several minutes.
    2. Remove pan and let cool.
    Tomato Soup Cake 1950 with slice on plate.

    When the cake has cooled, sprinkle it with powdered sugar. For a special touch, top it with edible flowers. Serve warm or at room temperature, if you can wait that long. Enjoy!

    Recipe Tips

    • Do not dilute the tomato soup. Use it straight from the can without adding water.
    • Be sure to let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.
    • Once inverted onto the serving plate, leave the pan on top of the cake for a few minutes before removing it.

    Recipe Variations

    You can easily add some ingredients to change up the flavor to your liking:

    • Extra Spice - Add ½ teaspoon of ground ginger or ¼ teaspoon of allspice.
    • Fruit - Add ½ cup of raisins, dried fruit, or candied fruit.
    • Nuts - Add ½ cup of chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
    • Veggies - Add ½ cup of shredded carrots or zucchini.
    • Frosting - Make the cake without the coconut topping and frost the cake with buttercream, caramel, or cream cheese frosting.

    You can bake the cake in a different pan or make muffins:

    • Bundt Cake - Double the cake ingredients. Omit the coconut topping. Bake the cake for 1 hour or until done.
    • Loaf Cake - Reduce the ingredients for the topping in half. Use a 9x5-inch loaf pan and bake the cake at 325°F for 55 minutes or until done.
    • Muffins - Use a muffin pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until done.

    The cake is done when a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

    How to Store And Freeze

    Cover the cake with plastic wrap and store it on the counter at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you opt to frost the cake, you'll need to refrigerate it.

    To freeze, let the cake cool completely and wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap and another layer of aluminum foil or place the plastic-wrapped cake in a plastic freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it at room temperature unless it is frosted then thaw it in the fridge overnight.

    More Quick & Easy Desserts

    Fruit Cocktail Cake - A sweet cake with yep, you guessed it, fruit cocktail in it, with a crunchy topping of pecans and coconut that takes only 10 minutes to whip up.

    Louisiana Stranger Cake - Weird name but easy, delicious cake. Just a boxed cake mix, frosting, 3 other ingredients & bake.

    Milky Way Bundt Cake - is like a candy bar in cake form! A deliciously moist, buttery cake with swirls of caramel and milky way candy bars then covered with a chocolate glaze.

    There's more! Find the best easy cake recipes right here on 2CM!

    LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK. 

    Cake with slice out and flowers in back.

    Tomato Soup Cake

    This tomato soup cake is a moist & delicious spice cake with a crunchy toasted coconut topping. Top it with powdered sugar for the perfect easy snack or dessert.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 420kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Equipment

    • Electric Mixer
    • 8x8-inch square pan

    Ingredients

    Toasted Coconut Topping

    • ½ cup butter, melted
    • 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
    • 2 cups flaked coconut

    Cake

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
    • ½ cup shortening
    • 1 can condensed tomato soup
    • 2 eggs
    • Garnish: powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave in 30-second increments. Pour into the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar then top with coconut.
    • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except eggs. Beat with mixer for 2 minutes.
    • Add eggs to batter and continue beating for another 2 minutes.
    • Pour over the top of the coconut and spread evenly.
    • Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Let stand on wire rack for 5 minutes then invert onto serving plate. Leave baking dish in place for a few minutes.
    • Lift off baking dish and allow to cool (or eat it warm if you can't wait!). Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar prior to serving.

    Notes

    STORE/FREEZE
    Store: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and store it on the counter at room temperature for up to 4 days. 
    Freeze: Wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it at room temperature unless it is frosted then thaw it in the fridge overnight.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg

    This post has been updated with new photos and better directions. It was first published on April 12, 2017.

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Lifting slice of lemon cheesecake from decorated cake.
      Lemon Cheesecake
    • Strawberry Shortcake with Angel Food Cake
    • Lemon Ricotta Cake
    • Closeup of Cheesecake Factory Carrot Cake Cheesecake slice with frosting.
      Cheesecake Factory Carrot Cake Cheesecake

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

    Trending Recipes

    • Blue Cheese Burgers on buns with lettuce and tomato.
      Blue Cheese Burgers
    • Smear of butter on sweet grilled corn in back of bowl of chili butter.
      Grilled Corn on the Cob with Parmesan Chili Butter
    • Red Potato Salad in white bowl with spoon on red striped table.
      Red Dill Potato Salad with Sour Cream and Bacon
    • 2 Patriotic Parfaits ready to serve with colored spoons and berries around.
      Patriotic Parfaits - A Red White and Blue Dessert

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Watermelon Sangria Light Summer Cocktail
    • Holding spoonful of salsa with mango over grilled chicken.
      Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
    • Slice of authentic key lime pie on white plate in front of flowers.
      Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe
    • Overhead of avocado strawberry salad in white bowl.
      Strawberry Chicken Salad
    As featured in list.

    Stay Updated!

    Subscribe and receive your free "5 SUMMER SMOOTHIES" e-book.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter & Media

    • Subscribe! for emails and updates
    • Cookbooks

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Sitemap

    Copyright © 2025 2CookinMamas

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required