🍅🍰 Husband Cake — An Old-Fashioned Tomato Soup Spice Cake That Tastes Surprisingly Delicious!
Yes, you read that correctly—this old-fashioned cake is made with condensed tomato soup!
Before you scroll away, the tomato flavor disappears during baking and leaves behind an incredibly moist spice cake filled with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, raisins, and crunchy walnuts.
Often called Husband Cake or tomato soup cake, this unusual vintage dessert has the warm, cozy flavor of carrot cake, pumpkin bread, or applesauce cake.
The tomato soup adds moisture, color, and subtle richness without making the finished cake taste like tomatoes.
Top it with cream cheese frosting, dust it with powdered sugar, or serve it warm with coffee for an unforgettable conversation-starting dessert.
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
❄️ Cooling Time: 1 hour
🕒 Total Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 12
🍰 Pan Size: 9-by-13-inch baking pan
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 can condensed tomato soup, approximately 10.5 ounces
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces full-fat block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, if needed
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
Line it with parchment paper when you want to lift the cake out before slicing.
2. Prepare the Raisins
Place the raisins in a small bowl.
Cover them with warm water and let them soak for approximately 10 minutes.
Drain and pat them dry.
This helps prevent the raisins from becoming hard during baking.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Salt
Set aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Place the softened butter and brown sugar in a large bowl.
Beat with an electric mixer for approximately 2–3 minutes, or until lighter and fluffy.
5. Add the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time.
Beat well after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla.
6. Combine the Soup and Water
In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk the condensed tomato soup with the water until smooth.
Do not prepare the soup according to the can directions. Use only the amount of water listed in this cake recipe.
7. Add the Soup and Flour
Add approximately one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
Mix briefly.
Add half of the tomato soup mixture.
Continue alternating the dry and liquid ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour.
Mix only until combined.
8. Add Raisins and Nuts
Fold in the drained raisins and chopped walnuts or pecans.
Do not overmix.
9. Bake
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Bake for approximately 45–55 minutes.
The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
10. Cool Completely
Let the cake cool in the pan for approximately 15 minutes.
Transfer it to a wire rack when desired, or leave it in the pan.
Cool completely before frosting.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time.
Mix in the vanilla and salt.
Add milk or cream one teaspoon at a time when the frosting is too thick.
Spread over the completely cooled cake.
Why Does Tomato Soup Work in Cake?
Condensed tomato soup contributes moisture, mild acidity, and color.
Once combined with sugar and warm spices, the savory tomato flavor becomes extremely subtle.
Do not add garlic, herbs, or prepared tomato soup—use plain condensed tomato soup.
Tips for Success
✅ Use plain condensed tomato soup.
✅ Do not prepare the soup according to the label.
✅ Measure the flour correctly.
✅ Soak and drain the raisins.
✅ Toast the nuts for deeper flavor.
✅ Avoid overmixing.
✅ Cool completely before frosting.
Optional Additions
Try adding:
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup sweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup chopped dates
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Bundt Cake Instructions
Grease and flour a 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan thoroughly.
Bake at 350°F for approximately 45–55 minutes.
Cool for 15 minutes before turning it out.
Drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze instead of cream cheese frosting.
Simple Vanilla Glaze
Combine:
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cake.
Storage Instructions
When unfrosted, store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
When topped with cream cheese frosting, cover and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
Let refrigerated slices sit at room temperature briefly before serving.
Can You Freeze Husband Cake?
Yes.
Wrap unfrosted cake tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost before serving.
This unusual Husband Cake is moist, warmly spiced, nostalgic, and much more delicious than its surprising ingredient list suggests!
📌 Save this vintage recipe and see whether your family can guess the secret ingredient.
👇 Would you try tomato soup in a spice cake? Be honest in the comments!
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