Easy Bologna Cake

5 from 3 votes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Creamy, cheesy, and savory, bologna cake is a delicious Southern dish made with only 3 simple ingredients plus optional cheese whiz. This isn’t a sweet ‘cake’ for dessert. Enjoy it with crackers or toast as an appetizer or side dish at potlucks or family events.

Don’t let the name fool you! This isn’t a sweet ‘cake’ for dessert. Bologna Cake is a simple, savory Southern dish, popularly served as an appetizer or side dish at potlucks or family events. You may have heard of this unique meal in Sweet Home Alabama. Whether you’re curious or amused, you’ve got to give this bologna cake recipe a try.
Get new recipes sent to your inbox!
Don’t miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You may have heard of this unique meal in Sweet Home Alabama. Whether you’re curious or amused, you’ve got to give this bologna cake recipe a try.

Bologna cake is one of those things that I serve to feed a large group at tailgate parties or potluck dinners. I also served it on April Fool’s Day, and it was a big hit! In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have a tasty appetizer and a conversation starter.

Watch Bologna Cake Recipe Video

What is Bologna Cake?

Also called “Boloney Cake”, this unique Southern dish is rumored to have started as a joke which ended up being tasty enough to be taken seriously. By simply layering slices of bologna with seasoned cream cheese, you’ll create a structure that looks quite a bit like a cake. 

What does it taste like? This simple dish is savory, meaty, and surprisingly tasty. Onion powder adds lots of flavor to the creamy and salty cream cheese, which is then paired with meaty bologna. It’s a tasty topper for crackers or toast.

Don’t let the name fool you! This isn’t a sweet ‘cake’ for dessert. Bologna Cake is a simple, savory Southern dish, popularly served as an appetizer or side dish at potlucks or family events. You may have heard of this unique meal in Sweet Home Alabama. Whether you’re curious or amused, you’ve got to give this bologna cake recipe a try.

Bologna Cake Recipe Tips

  • Make sure cream cheese is soft before mixing. You’ll need room temperature, soft cream cheese for this to work. Remember, cream cheese is like the frosting on the bologna cake, so it needs to have a soft, smooth consistency in order to spread neatly. 
  • Pat dry bologna slices. Deli meat is often wet or damp when taken out of its packaging. For best results, use a paper towel to pat dry the slices. 
  • Use an offset spatula. An offset spatula is longer and narrower than a regular spatula. These baker’s spatulas are the ideal shape for neatly shaping the cream cheese on your cake
Bologna Cake ingredients on the counter

Bologna Cake Recipe Ingredients

My bologna cake recipe calls for a few simple ingredients. The full recipe with measurement is at the bottom of this post.

  • Bologna: Use your preferred variety of bologna for this recipe. You can also substitute bologna for another cold-cut deli meat such as salami or ham. Most varieties of thicker sliced deli meat should work for this recipe. 
  • Cream Cheese: Make sure to soften your cream cheese ahead of time. 
  • Onion Powder: Onion powder adds flavor to your cream cheese to make the finished product even tastier. You may also use garlic powder or Italian seasoning blend.
  • Optional Cheese Whiz: For decorating.

How to Make Bologna Cake

Making bologna cake isn’t difficult, but it does take some time and patience to layer bologna slices and cream cheese mixture. Here’s how it goes:

First, make the filling and “frosting”. Mix together the room temperature cream cheese with onion powder.

Make the frosting for bologna cake

Next, assemble the layers. Pat dry one slice of bologna slice with paper towels and place it on a plate. Spread about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture between each layer. Repeat until you use up all the bologna slices.

Assemble the layers

Finally, frost the cake and decorate it. Spread more cream cheese mixture onto the side of the bologna cake, and decorate it with an optional cheese whiz.

Decorate the Bologna Cake

That’s it! Serve and dig in!

How to Serve Bologna Cake

Simply slice the bologna cake using a sharp knife, similar to slicing a regular cake. My favorite way to serve it is as an appetizer or snack with crackers or toast. You could add it to a vegetable platter or cheese platter. It also pairs well with pickles, chips, or pretzels.

Alternatively, add it into sandwiches or serve it alongside a simple salad like my broccoli salad or quinoa salad.

Don’t let the name fool you! This isn’t a sweet ‘cake’ for dessert. Bologna Cake is a simple, savory Southern dish, popularly served as an appetizer or side dish at potlucks or family events. You may have heard of this unique meal in Sweet Home Alabama. Whether you’re curious or amused, you’ve got to give this bologna cake recipe a try.

Storage

To store leftovers, keep the bologna cake on the serving plate, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator and It will last for up to 3 days.

To freeze, add extra layers of plastic wrap or foil to seal properly. It can last in the freezer for 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before eating.

More Favorite Southern Appetizer Recipes

If you love this bologna cake recipe, try one of these delicious Southern appetizers next:

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Don’t let the name fool you! This isn’t a sweet ‘cake’ for dessert. Bologna Cake is a simple, savory Southern dish, popularly served as an appetizer or side dish at potlucks or family events. You may have heard of this unique meal in Sweet Home Alabama. Whether you’re curious or amused, you’ve got to give this bologna cake recipe a try.
5 from 3 votes

Easy Bologna Cake Recipe

By: Izzy
Don’t let the name fool you! This isn’t a sweet ‘cake’ for dessert. Bologna Cake is a simple, savory Southern dish, popularly served as an appetizer or side dish at potlucks or family events. You may have heard of this unique meal in Sweet Home Alabama. Whether you’re curious or amused, you’ve got to give this bologna cake recipe a try.
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 package bologna
  • 12 oz cream cheese, (1 and 1/2 packages, room temperature)
  • 3 tablespoons onion powder
  • optional cheese whiz for decorating

Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, add room temperature cream cheese and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
  • Take one slice of bologna from the package and pat dry with paper towels. Then place it on a plate.
  • Spread a layer of cream cheese mixture (about 1 tablespoon) on top of the bologna using an offset spatula.
  • Add another slice of bologna and spread more cream cheese mixture. Repeat until you use up all the bologna slices.
  • To frost the cake, spread more cream cheese mixture onto the side of the bologna cake.
  • If you want to decorate your bologna cake, you can cut the corner of a piping bag or zip-top bag. Then push a decorating nozzle right into the hole. Fill it with cheese whiz, and push the cheese onto your cake. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use room temperature, soft cream cheese for this recipe.
  • Make sure to pat dry bologna slices before assembling.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 571IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Izzy

I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wow! This dish is so good! I served it at my grandfathers funeral, and everyone was crying from happiness when they tried it. Would recommend!

  2. I Love U with all my Heart .
    I was the Hit of the Party and I am a very quiet unsocial person .
    Thank U . I am your number one fan .
    Sincerely ,
    R. Chavez

  3. 5 stars
    It was amazing. I made as a snack for my family and they loved it. Thank you so much for the recipe.