Johnny Cash’s Favorite Southern Dessert

Johnny Cash, everyone’s favorite Man in Black, was one of the most iconic voices of 20th century Americana. He gained entry to both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And his music career spans genres and generations, blending country, gospel, rock and roll, and more. 

Throughout his storied career, he wore his heart on his sleeve, singing about the struggles of poverty, marginalization, and regret—topics that were largely outside of the cultural conversation. He shared stories of his own transgressions and moments of redemption, creating a substantial and contemplative body of work that still resonates with countless fans to this day. 

In his personal life, he was a man of faith, but didn’t want to be seen as a person who was preaching. “I’m an artist who is a Christian. I’m not a Christian artist,” he said in his final interview with Time Magazine. Throughout his career, he reflected on the lessons from his faith through his lyrics, as well as his novel “Man in White,” and gospel recordings. 

So it’s no wonder that he loved the Southern dessert Scripture Cake. As reflected in its name, Scripture Cake is based on ingredients mentioned in the Bible. For Cash, his love of this old-fashioned dessert may be a reflection of his faith, a love of his mother’s cooking—or both.

What Is Scripture Cake?

Scripture Cake is a very old recipe, packed with figs, raisins, nuts, and spices—a dense fruit cake of sorts. The recipe is said to have begun in Ireland and England in the early 1700s, according to food historian Nathalie Cooke. It uses a biblical “code” for bakers, offering only ingredient amounts and corresponding bible passages. For example, you might see “1/2 cup of Judges 5:25” in the ingredient list. Since Judges 5:25 references butter, that means you’d need 1/2 cup of butter. Bakers must flip through the Bible to determine which ingredient is being referenced, laying the foundation for the cake. 

Eventually, it made its way to the States, where it became popular in Pennsylvania Dutch and Appalachian communities. Perhaps that’s how Carrie Cash, Johnny Cash’s mother, came upon the recipe. According to the book “Around the Opry Table,” author Kay West states that Cash’s mother’s recipe for the cake was a “favorite of John’s.” 

How To Make Scripture Cake 

Start by gathering all the ingredients you’ll need to make the Scripture Cake. Our recipe below lists the ingredients, along with the corresponding Bible verses for those who prefer to look them up. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or your preferred greaser. 

Make the batter by mixing softened butter with sugar, salt, and spices until it’s smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, beat three egg yolks, then add them to the butter mixture. Sift in the remaining dry ingredients, then add water and honey, and mix until well combined. 

Pulse the nuts and fruits together in a food processor until coarsely chopped, then fold into the cake batter. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gently fold them into the batter. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 45 to 55 minutes.

Let the cake cool in the pan before slicing, and serve plain or dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve with a cup of coffee, topped with a dollop of whipped cream, or enjoy it all on its own! This unique fruit cake isn’t overly sweet, making it just as good for breakfast as it is dessert.

What the Allrecipes Community Has To Say

• “This was a fun recipe for our Bible study group. I sent a verse or 2 to each member, and they brought the item. We prepared the cake together, rereading the verses. Everyone enjoyed it.” —Roni Rork
• “We used this recipe for a Ladies’ Tea, and each lady brought an ingredient…It turned out delicious and moist in the Bundt cake pan. I would do it again. I personally love the raw ingredients and fruit sugars were perfectly balanced.” —SwiftWhey2927