Tomato Soup Cake Recipe {Old Fashioned Mystery Cake Recipe} (2024)

Julie Clark

Posted: Updated:

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Tomato soup…in cake? Yes! This old fashioned spice cake recipe has stood the test of time. This tomato soup cake is frosted with cream cheese frosting.

Spice cakes are one of my favorite kinds of cakes. Some have molasses, some are gingerbread flavored, but all are delicious.

When I came across this tomato soup cake recipe in an old cookbook from the 1950s, I just wasn’t sure. I read that it tasted like a spice cake. But tomatoes…in cake? If you like spice cake and don’t mind trying new things, give this unique mystery cake a try.

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe {Old Fashioned Mystery Cake Recipe} (2)

What does tomato soup cake taste like?

Spice cake! It has a lightly sweet, deep flavor. The nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves all help that spice cake flavor to come out. Tomato soup is the secret ingredient that no one will believe.

Where did tomato soup originate?

Tomato soup is a recipe from the Depression era in the 1930’s. Tomato soup was an ingredient to replace milk and butter in the original recipe. Over time the recipe has changed and this one is closer to the Campbell’s tomato soup recipe.

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How do you make tomato soup cake?

  • This cake bakes in a 9×13 cake pan. Be sure to spray it with cooking spray so the cake does not stick.
  • Use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer so that the ingredients come together easily. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the beater blade, cream together the butter and the sugar.
  • The last addition of the cake is to add the soup, raisins and walnuts.
  • The cake will take about 28-30 minutes to bake. The center of the cake should spring back when you touch it.
Tomato Soup Cake Recipe {Old Fashioned Mystery Cake Recipe} (4)

Frosting for Tomato Soup Cake

We used a cream cheese frosting for this cake because that is what we like on spice cakes. I’ve seen recipes for tomato soup cake with caramel frosting. Those sound amazing too! You could try this caramel frosting recipe.

Pro Tip

Cream cheese frosting is easy to make. The key is to have the butter and cream cheese at room temperature. This will help the frosting cream easily.

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Does cake with cream cheese frosting need refrigerated?

Yes. You should refrigerate cakes with cream cheese frosting. You can remove the cake from the fridge up to 2 hours before serving to bring it to room temperature.

How long does cake last?

If you seal this cake well, it should stay fresh in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Remember that cake is normally best when served within 24 hours of baking.

The cake also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe {Old Fashioned Mystery Cake Recipe} (6)

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe {Old Fashioned Mystery Cake Recipe} (7)

Tomato Soup Cake

4.59 from 51 votes

Tomato soup…in cake? Yes! This old fashioned spice cake recipe has stood the test of time. This tomato soup cake is frosted with cream cheese frosting.

Servings 15

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

For the cake:

For the frosting:

Instructions

Make the cake:

  • Spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit.

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer with the beater blade (or a large bowl with an electric mixer) cream together the butter and the sugar.

  • Add in the eggs and mix well.

  • Add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices. Mix well.

  • Lastly, add in the soup, walnuts and raisins. Mix until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake for 28-30 minutes or until the center of the cake tests done.

  • Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack before frosting.

Make the frosting:

  • In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and vanilla (using a hand or stand mixer) until smooth.

  • Add in the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

Assemble the cake:

  • Use a rubber spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake.

  • Sprinkle with walnuts.

  • Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Video

Notes

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the cake being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 281mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 357

Keyword 9×13 cake, buttermilk spice cake, raisin cake

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

Spice Cake Recipes

Try one of our many homemade spice cake recipes.

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe {Old Fashioned Mystery Cake Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What is mystery cake made of? ›

What Is Mystery Cake? Whether you hear it called mystery cake or magic cake, they're both one thing: tomato soup cake. Yep, you read that right. Believe it or not, you can use the savory soup to bake a totally delicious, not-weird-at-all tomato soup cake.

What does adding baking soda to tomato soup do? ›

When you add baking soda to tomato soup (or sauce, or chili), it neutralizes the acid in the tomatoes. Not only will this make the tomatoes taste less acidic (good news if your tomatoes turned out more sour than you expected), but it also means that you can now add milk to your soup without risking curdling it.

What can I add to tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

What does adding sugar to tomato soup do? ›

A small amount of sugar can help round out the flavor, while too much can make it overly sweet and potentially ruin the dish. Adding sugar may also reduce the acidity in a soup, making it taste less acidic.

What is Elvis Presley cake? ›

An Elvis Presley cake is a single-layer classic yellow cake that's topped with a pineapple glaze. Much like a poke cake, the syrup and juices of the pineapple will seep into the cake through fork holes, resulting in a decadent, ultra-moist cake.

What's in a Robert Redford cake? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 chocolate cake (baked in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan)
  2. 3/4 cup fudge topping, slightly warmed.
  3. 3/4 cup caramel topping, or butterscotch topping, slightly warmed.
  4. 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.
  5. 6 chocolate-covered toffee bars, such as Heath bars, divided; or 1 1/3 cups toffee and chocolate chips.
Aug 29, 2021

What happens when you mix ketchup and baking soda? ›

The ketchup contains vinegar, which is dilute acetic acid. The acetic acid reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas. The gas bubbles expand and rise through the liquid, bubbling out the ketchup. II.

Do you add baking soda or baking powder to tomato soup? ›

A common rule of thumb is a quarter teaspoon of baking soda for every large can of tomatoes, but, given personal preference and the varying pH of each brand, it's much safer to start small. Once it's to your liking, it's time to purée the soup.

Why does my homemade tomato soup taste bitter? ›

Leaf states that this can be due to burning the sauce in the pot or simply dealing with a batch of produce that are overly acidic or metallic from canning or cooking. This can also come from under-ripe or low-quality tomatoes, as well as stirring in a hefty amount of tomato paste, per Boss The Kitchen.

How to make homemade tomato soup thicker? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

How do you jazz up Campbell's tomato soup? ›

18 Must-Try Toppings for Your Tomato Soup
  1. Pretzels!
  2. Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® Crackers.
  3. Pumpkin Seeds.
  4. Croutons.
  5. Tortilla Strips.
  6. Cheese.
  7. Avocado.
  8. Sour Cream.

How do you get the tartness out of tomato soup? ›

Many sources recommend adding a pinch of baking soda to a sauce that's overly tart, which raises the pH and makes it less acidic. We've always preferred adding a bit of sugar.

Does tomato soup raise blood sugar? ›

Tomatoes are a good source of fiber, which can help to slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. However, many tomato soups also contain added sugar and salt, which can raise blood sugar levels.

Why do people add milk to tomato soup? ›

Adding milk or cream to a soup can balance contrasting tastes and help ingredients that don't typically mesh blend seamlessly. Plus, the extra calories in milk or cream can make for a more filling soup served solo and without any accompanying sides.

What cuts acid in tomato soup? ›

Add a pinch of sugar

Sugar can help neutralize the acidity in tomato soup and bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Start by adding a small pinch of sugar to your soup, taste, and then adjust accordingly. Be cautious not to add too much sugar, as it may make the soup overly sweet.

Why is it called conspiracy cake? ›

“We actually didn't pick the name,” she explained. “It was set by the supplier and we loved it so we kept it. But I imagine it was named because a group of pastry chefs wanted to make a cake so delicious and rich in chocolate that people would stop buying all other cakes!”

Why is Devil's food cake different? ›

Devil's food cake is sometimes distinguished from other chocolate cakes by the use of additional baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which raises the pH level and makes the cake a deeper and darker mahogany color. Devil's food cake incorporates butter (or a substitute), flour, and less egg than other chocolate cakes.

Where is secret recipe cake from? ›

Secret Recipe Cakes and Café Sdn Bhd (doing business as Secret Recipe) is a Malaysian halal-certified café chain company established since 1997. It has international branches in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Maldives and Bangladesh.

What is the difference between devil's food cake and chocolate cake mix? ›

The Difference Between Devil's Food Cake And Chocolate Cake

In general, devil's food cakes will have a deeper chocolate flavor because they're made with cocoa powder, and will be fluffier than other chocolate cakes, due to the higher amount of baking soda.

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