Dolly Parton is the most iconic country star out there. From her hit albums to her heartwarming Netflix specials to her passion for charity, we can’t get enough of Dolly. And now we can all share in a little Parton-style sweetness because Dolly has partnered with Duncan Hines to release a new line of Southern-style cake mixes and frostings.
Yes, Dolly Loves Cooking and Baking
Now, you may think that a superstar like Dolly wouldn’t have time to fuss in the kitchen, but she’s a certified Southern foodie. In fact, her recipes for chicken and dumplings and five-layer casserole are downright mouthwatering.
“I have always loved to cook and, growing up in the South, I especially love that authentic Mom and Pop kind of cooking,” Dolly says.
What Kind of Cake Mix Will She Have?
Courtesy Duncan Hines
With that in mind, Dolly connected with Duncan Hines to create sweet treats inspired by her Tennessee upbringing. She’s bringing us all that “sweet, Southern-style baking experience,” and we’re delighted!
Her collection includes a Southern-style coconut cake mix, banana cake mix (perfect for making Dolly’s favorite Banana Puddin’ Cake), buttercream frosting and chocolate buttercream.
And we’re certain these mixes and frostings will inspire sweet memories and second helpings. After all, Duncan Hines makes one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite cake mixes of all time, and our editors love their vanilla frosting for icing a cake fast.
Where to Buy Dolly’s Baking Collection
Courtesy Duncan Hines
These mixes will be available in stores starting in March. Find the Southern Style Coconut Cake Mix and Southern Style Banana Cake Mix at Walmart. If you can’t wait to get your hands on this Duncan x Dolly collab, you can order the complete baking collection online before these mixes hit store shelves. The collection includes one of each cake mix and frosting as well as recipe cards, a printed tea towel and a Dolly-inspired spatula. It looks like the first round is sold out, but we hope to see a restock soon, because this is a must for Dolly fans and bakers alike! Love here recipes? Learn how to bake Dolly’s ideal birthday cake.
Shop Now
Southern Recipes That We Can’t Resist
Hummingbird CakeThis impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Coca-Cola CakeOur coca-cola cake recipe uses not one but two cans of everyone's favorite soda. Move over, mayonnaise! Cola is our new favorite ingredient for an irresistible chocolate cake with an amazing chocolaty glaze.
Southern Bourbon Pecan PieWhen I first made the original recipe for this bourbon-splashed pie, I added some vanilla extract and eliminated the flour. We loved the result. —Paul Falduto, Efland, North Carolina
White Texas Sheet CakeThis classic white Texas sheet cake is delicious, and surprisingly quick and easy to make. You won't even need to wait for the cake to cool completely before icing it!
Down South Sweet Tea CakeI think this recipe combines two of the best and most famous ingredients from the South: sweet tea and pecans! Using a cake mix simplifies prep and helps ease the holiday time crunch. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Mississippi Mud CakeThis cake features a fudgy brownielike base topped with marshmallow creme and a nutty frosting. Serve big slices with glasses of cold milk or steaming mugs of coffee. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky
Butterscotch PieThis butterscotch pie is here to prove that butterscotch isn’t just for Grandma and Grandpa.
BeignetsThe Big Easy is known for its fresh, doughy beignets. Here is our recipe for making these iconic doughnuts at home.
Key Lime PieWe created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can’t find Key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Red Velvet CakeOur red velvet cake recipe is traditionally southern with light, tender, ruby-red cakes held together with a rich vanilla frosting.
French Silk PieFrench silk pie combines the light texture of chocolate mousse with the delicate crunch of flaky pastry in every bite.
Bananas Foster SundaesI have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina
Butter Pecan CakeThis irresistible butter pecan cake features multiple layers, plenty of toasted buttery pecan crunch and a thick layer of buttercream frosting. In a word, it's delicious. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or maple ice cream to complement this decadent southern dessert.
Butterscotch-Pecan Bread PuddingBread pudding fans just might hoard this yummy butterscotch version. Toppings like whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle make this dessert absolutely irresistible. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Banana PuddingThis banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers tastes just like Grandma's: creamy, simple, comforting and filled with sweet banana flavor.
Lane Cake>What’s the most sumptuous, indulgent cake you can bake for your guests? The answer is Lane Cake, a southern classic with a rich history and even richer filling. This Lane Cake recipe takes some planning and patience, but it’s all worth it in the end.
Chocolate Chess PieChocolate chess pie is all the gooey yumminess of chocolate pecan pie, without the pecans!
Rhubarb Strawberry CobblerMom's yummy cobbler is a truly wonderful finale to any meal. This family favorite is sweet and tart, chock-full of berries and rhubarb, and the thick crust is so easy to make. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington
Old-Time Buttermilk PieMy mother and grandmother made this pie with buttermilk and eggs from our farm and set it on the tables at church meetings and social gatherings. I did the same, and now our children make it too! —Kate Mathews, Shreveport, Louisiana
Lemon Curd CheesecakeThis creamy lemon cheesecake has a lovely soft texture and cuts nicely. The curd adds a fresh, tangy flavor. —Becky West, Statesboro, Georgia
Chocolate PuddingBring your favorite childhood lunchbox treat to life with this rich and decadent homemade chocolate pudding recipe.
Hot Milk CakeTravel back in time with this easy, old-fashioned hot milk cake recipe. Moist and tender, like a sponge cake and pound cake hybrid, it's the perfect snacking cake!
Peach Ice CreamEnjoy the sweet, fresh flavors of peaches in this contest-winning peach ice cream. Ideal for hot summer days, it’s a refreshing treat the whole family will love.
Sour Cream Chocolate CakeSour cream chocolate cake boasting a rich, velvety texture and deep, delectable chocolate flavor. The addition of sour cream adds extra fat, resulting in an incredibly moist and tender crumb. Topped with homemade frosting that perfectly balances tangy and sweet, this cake is a true treat.
Frozen Key Lime DelightIn the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Peach Upside-Down CakeGet ready to flip for this peach upside-down cake! It's easier than you think to prepare, and when it's finished it will look just as good as you'd hoped.
Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime PieSummer is peak season for Key limes—a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top. This makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
Pig Pickin’ CakeA pig pickin’ cake is a southern delight that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Peach PieOur peach pie recipe features a spiced peach filling nestled inside two buttery, flaky crusts. It’s a delicious and traditional summer treat that stands beautifully in its simplicity, because why change perfection?
Pink CupcakesPretty in pink is the best description for these pink cupcakes—and not just the frosting. The cake is also pink!
Grits PieSimple, southern and scrumptious, this pie will be a definite hit even with people who dislike grits. It has the perfect custardy texture.—Victoria Hudson, Pickens, South Carolina
Hazelnut Cake SquaresWhen one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, she asks me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn't need icing, so it's perfect for bake sales too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Buttermilk Peach Ice CreamMy mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I currently live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Chocolate Pecan PieInspired by Derby Pie and the beloved Thanksgiving pie, our chocolate pecan pie recipe is irresistible.
Chocolate Chip BarsPeople are always surprised when I tell them these chocolate chip bars come from the microwave. Chockfull of chocolate chips, the bars are especially good served with a big glass of cold milk. —Shirley A. Glaab, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Grilled Peach SundaesThese peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Mississippi Mud PieMississippi mud pie is a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert. With a little help from boxed pudding mix and frozen whipped topping, it's ready in a flash without any fuss.
Mom's Citrus Buttermilk CakeEveryone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It's divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Slow-Cooker Dump CakeOur crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!
Lemon Chess PieThis bright and creamy lemon chess pie cuts beautifully and has a smooth texture. It’s one of my favorites. —Hannah LaRue Rider, East Point, Kentucky
Amaretto CakeThis Italy-inspired amaretto cake might look like a bakery confection, but you can make it at home. Decorating the top with candies and nuts only enhances the special-occasion feel.
Snickerdoodle CheesecakeSnickerdoodle cheesecake has the signature tangy softness of snickerdoodle cookies but in the form of a rich, cinnamon-flavored cheesecake.
Bourbon Pecan PieBourbon pecan pie is so easy, you'll wonder why you haven't been making it all your life. Serve during the holidays, or any time of year, with fresh whipped cream or ice cream.
Chocolate Fudge CakeChocolate fudge cake is the cure for any chocolate lover's sweet tooth and a staple in baking 101. Here's how to make it at home.
Pineapple PieThis creamy pineapple pie uses canned fruit and whipped cream to create a rich, sweet filling that sits atop a flavorful graham cracker crust. It takes less than 10 minutes to make and will shine on any dessert spread.
Chewy Pecan Pie BarsThis treat is one of my husband's favorites. I've been making these bars for many years, and we still can't get enough. I never mind making this recipe—it's about as easy as baking can be! —Judy Taylor, Shreveport, Louisiana
Pecan PralinesThese pecan pralines melt in your mouth and deliver buttery and sweet flavors. They are a hybrid cookie-candy confection and filled with crunchy nuts.
Sweet Potato PieThis creamy sweet potato pie is subtly spiced and slices beautifully! We suggest baking up a few sweet potato pies around the holidays to give to friends and family. — North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission