Tomato Soup Cake Recipe (2024)

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by Alea Milham 15 Comments

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This old-fashioned tomato soup cake recipe tastes like a spice cake. You can cook this vintage cake recipe in a loaf pan or in a cake pan.

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe (1)
First let me say, this cake tastes much better than it sounds! This recipe originated in the late 1920s or early 1930s. It was enormously popular throughout the depression as it is made without using eggs or butter.

Tomato Soup Cake was sometimes called Mystery Cake and a game was made of making first-time eaters guess the secret ingredient. It has a delightfully spicy flavor, making it almost impossible to discern that it is made with tomato soup.

This recipe was passed down to me by my mom. This is the cake recipe that I associate with my mom because she has been making it every year during the holidays for as long as I can remember. While Tomato Soup Cakes have been around for years, my mom is the only one I know who makes it in a loaf pan. Most people make it in cake pans, a 9×13 pan, or a bundt cake pan. If you don’t cook it in a bread loaf pan, you will have to alter the cooking time.

If you don’t have a can of condensed tomato soup, you can use this recipe for Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute.

More Depression Cake Recipes

Chocolate Depression Cake Recipe

Vanilla Depression Cake Recipe

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 can condensed tomato soup (10 3/4 ounces) (Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups flour**
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Directions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable shortening. Add the cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and condensed tomato soup to the mixing bowl and stir until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
  2. Slowly add the flour to the mixing bowl in half cup increments, stirring well after each addition to ensure all of the flour is fully combined. Add baking powder, baking soda, the walnuts, and raisins to the mixing bowl. Continue stirring until all ingredients are fully incorporated into the batter.
  3. Pour the cake batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350F for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing the cake from the pan.
  4. Once it is cooled you can top it with cream cheese frosting or serve it plain. I leave it plain if I am planning on packing it in lunches and top it with frosting if I will be serving it to guests.

**You canusethisGluten Free Cake Flour to make this recipe gluten-free.

When the cake is cool, frost it with the Cream Cheese Frosting recipe below or, if you wish, slice it and serve it plain.

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe (2)

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

  • 3-ounce package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

Put all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix together until the right consistency to spread on cake.

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe (3)

Printable Tomato Soup Cake Recipe

4.8 from 4 reviews

Tomato Soup Cake

Tomato Soup Cake Recipe (4)

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Prep time

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Total time

Author: Alea

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • ½ cup vegetable shortening or lard
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 - 10¾ oz. can condensed tomato soup (Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour ( use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this gluten-free)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable shortening. Add the cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and condensed tomato soup to the mixing bowl and stir until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
  2. Slowly add the flour to the mixing bowl in half cup increments, stirring well after each addition to ensure all of the flour is fully combined. Add baking powder, baking soda, and the walnuts to the mixing bowl. Continue stirring until all ingredients are fully incorporated into the batter.
  3. Pour the cake batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350F for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing the cake from the pan

More Cake Recipes

Vanilla Depression Cake Recipe

Chocolate Depression Cake Recipe

Vanilla Bundt Cake with Berry Topping

Brown Sugar Pecan Coffee Cake with Chai Spices

Easy Mocha Fudge Bundt Cake with Mocha Fudge Glaze

About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Nonna says

    does anyone know if you could substitute oil for the lard? If so would it me more or less moist? I am so anxious to make it!

    Reply

  2. Deborah says

    My Grandma would make this every Sunday for as long as I can remember. I am 73 now. She used to call it a war cake. Because they were only allowed so much of everything to cook with. Still my favorite cake. Blessings

    Reply

  3. Patricia L Larson says

    I’ve made this cake dozens of times people can’t wait till i make it .I used to watch my mom make it, no eggs in it. It’s good for company when you don’t have any dessert. Frost it with a thin coating of butter frosting ,serve with coffee yummmmm. Enjoy

    Reply

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Tomato Soup Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Campbell's tomato soup? ›

WATER, TOMATO PASTE, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CREAM, WHEAT FLOUR, MODIFIED MILK INGREDIENTS, SALT, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, YEAST EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, FLAVOUR, ONION POWDER. Nutritional Information is based on our current data.

What can I put in 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

Why add baking soda to tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

Do you add milk or water to Campbell's tomato soup? ›

Just add the appropriate amount of water, then simmer and serve for a deliciously filling soup in an instant. For a creamier result, add milk in place of water.

Did Campbell's change their tomato soup? ›

The new recipe uses natural sea salt to enhance the soup's flavor while relying on the same tomatoes for their trademark color. Extensive research and taste tests across the country found their customers liked the new recipe's taste and appearance.

What kind of tomatoes are best for tomato soup? ›

Roma tomatoes – Just like in my homemade salsa recipe, the tomato variety you use here matters. If you can't find roma tomatoes, substitute another variety of small plum tomatoes. Larger heirloom or salad tomatoes are too watery for this recipe. Onion and garlic – They add savory depth of flavor.

What is the best substitute for tomato soup? ›

1 10-3/4 ounce can tomato soup: substitute 1 cup tomato sauce plus 1/4 cup water.

What is the best combination with tomato soup? ›

18 Must-Try Toppings for Your Tomato Soup
  • Chicken.
  • Chickpeas.
  • Bacon Bits.
  • Basil.
  • Green Onion.
  • Quinoa.
  • Macaroni.
  • Grilled Cheese.

What takes the bitterness out of tomato soup? ›

Add Some Baking Soda

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.

Why does my tomato soup have no flavor? ›

Always check seasonings and taste-test before serving. If the soup tastes bland at all, a bit more salt will do the trick, that doesn't just apply to this tomato soup recipe but just about anything you'll ever find yourself cooking.

Does milk go in tomato soup? ›

directions. Put tomato paste in saucepan; add milk or water using empty tomato paste can and rinsing can thoroughly. Add salt and sugar and optional additions if using; stir. Cook on medium, stir and serve.

Why put sugar in tomato soup? ›

Particularly for soups made with tomato bases, a pinch or two of sugar can help round out any flavors that taste a bit too sour or bitter recommends Le Cordon Bleu. Of course, as with any recipe, it can be helpful to taste and adjust as you go, so your soup doesn't end up too sweet to serve.

How to sweeten up tomato soup? ›

*Some crushed tomatoes can seem tangier. If the soup seems too acidic or sour, you can add more heavy cream and sugar to taste.

How to make a 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.

What are the ingredients in canned tomato soup? ›

WATER, TOMATO PASTE, SUGARS (GLUCOSE-FRUCTOSE), WHEAT FLOUR, SALT, SOYBEAN OR CANOLA OIL, CITRIC ACID, FLAVOUR (CONTAINS CELERY, GARLIC), SPICE EXTRACTS. Nutritional Information is based on our current data.

What does tomato soup contain? ›

Traditional tomato soup

A simple tomato soup can be prepared simply with ingredients such as canned tomatoes/tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, vegetable broth or chicken broth and for the flavouring butter, salt and pepper or if required sugar can be used.

What are the ingredients in Campbell's soup cans? ›

Ingredients. WATER, TOMATO PASTE, WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA SOYBEAN), SPICE EXTRACTS, CITRIC ACID, FLAVOUR (CONTAINS CELERY, GARLIC). In a 4 quart pot combine one can of soup and one can of water.

What are the ingredients in Campbell's Healthy Request tomato soup? ›

INGREDIENTS: TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA, AND/OR SOYBEAN), POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, LOWER SODIUM NATURAL SEA SALT, FLAVORING, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), CITRIC ACID, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CELERY EXTRACT, ...

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