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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• Southern Fried Okra
• Corn Pone
• Cornbread Dressing
• Shrimp and Grits