This Dolly Parton Old-Fashioned Cake Mix Outshines The Blueberry Muffins And Strawberry Cake

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Dolly Parton's legacy is one of memorable music, activism, altruism, and Southern-style sweetness. The late country singer's sunny disposition shone throughout everything she did, especially her work with Duncan Hines, with whom she created a delicious line of boxed mixes for fans and home bakers to enjoy. Of the many cookie, biscuit, muffin, brownie, and cake mixes available, Tasting Table's ranking of Dolly Parton baking mixes put Parton's coconut cake mix in third place, where it outshines other fruit favorites such as blueberry muffins and strawberry cake.

There's nothing like an old-fashioned coconut cake to satisfy a sweet tooth, and this mix from Parton's Duncan Hines line seriously delivers. In Tasting Table's assessment, the writer notes that the scent and taste of coconut are present without being overwhelming, making the cake mix more appealing to those who might not be the biggest fans of coconut. Further, the texture manages to maintain a moist and light consistency.

Though the coconut cake mix ranked behind more versatile options, it nonetheless outshines its fruit-flavored counterparts. One fan review of the coconut cake mix on the Duncan Hines website shares, "Prep was easy. Cake was light and delicious with a light coconut flavor. Cake tasted great alone with or without frosting." The wide variety of Dolly Parton's cake mixes allows home bakers to enjoy the ease of preparing a sweet treat with room to dress it up in any way they desire.

What better way to pay tribute to Dolly Parton's eye-catching style than by preparing an old-fashioned coconut cake that's dressed to impress? Take a cue from this super coconut layer cake recipe and use your cake mix to create a dessert that's piled high. Add a coordinating frosting from Parton's line, such as buttercream or vanilla, and mix in flecks of shredded coconut for an enchanting confection.

Reddit users have shared their tips for creative coconut cakes using Parton's cake mix that will easily outshine the rest. One commenter mentions, "Made it twice. First with a cream cheese frosting with some coconut extract. The second time I made an American buttercream and topped it with toasted coconut shavings. Both times were yummy." Another notes, "I just made it. It is BEYOND. I made it with a couple dollops of Greek yogurt, milk, a little mayo ... 360 degrees for 15 minutes. And no joke, they are the best dessert I ever made or had."

Others recommend supplementing some of the butter with coconut oil or mixing in vanilla pudding powder for a richer batter. Elsewhere on Reddit, users have transformed the old-fashioned cake mix with caramel and chocolate buttercream. For a coconut cake inspired by banana pudding, Parton's favorite dessert that is an old-schoool Southern classic, try adding slices of brûléed banana on top. The possibilities are limitless and, as the late Dolly Parton would say, "More is more."