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Superstar Dolly Parton, who died on Aug. 25, may be best known for her music and movie talents. But she also cooked up an impressive food portfolio.
Parton, 80, had an expansive collection of baking mixes, frozen single-serve meals and desserts, as well as a line of cookware and cookbooks.
In 2022, the music legend teamed with Duncan Hines on Dolly Parton’s baking mixes and frostings. The first items included Dolly Parton’s Southern Style Coconut Flavored Cake and Southern Style Banana Flavored Cake mixes, along with Creamy Buttercream and Chocolate Buttercream frostings.
Duncan Hines and Parton expanded the product line a year later, adding Dolly Parton’s Buttermilk Biscuit Mix and Sweet Cornbread & Muffin Mix, plus a Fabulously Fudgy Brownie Mix and Caramel Turtle Brownie Mix.
“I knew Duncan Hines and I were bringing something special to the baking aisle when we launched our partnership last year, and I’ve been thrilled by the response,” Parton said in a statement at the time. “I’m really excited to launch more baking mixes steeped in my Southern roots, like cornbread and biscuits. I think folks are really going to like them and hope they’ll bake up some special memories with family and friends.”
‘Bringing a little taste of my own Southern favorites to you’
Duncan Hines’ parent company, Conagra Brands, expanded Dolly’s branded frozen food products menu in 2025 with entrées Beef Pot Roast, Chicken & Dumplings, Country Fried Steak and Shrimp & Grits, sold at Walmart, Target, and supermarkets across the United States.
“Her genuine love for home-cooked meals and deep connection with fans makes this expansion into frozen foods a natural next step,” Tim Nangle, vice president and general manager at Conagra Brands, said in a statement at the time. “We’re proud to bring even more of Dolly’s warmth and flavor into homes across the country.”
In June 2026, Conagra added two more Dolly Parton-branded frozen meals to the lineup: Homestyle Meatloaf and Dolly Parton’s Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese (each retailing for $4.49).
“I’ve always believed in the power of a warm, hearty meal, and now with these offerings I’m bringing a little taste of my own Southern favorites to you,” Parton said in a 2025 news release. “Whether you’re busy or just craving some quick comfort, I hope these dishes warm your heart as much as your belly!”
Dolly had a coffee deal brewing
Parton made another food-related announcement in June: a new signature coffee brand, Cup of Ambition, in partnership with Community Coffee.
The Light, Medium, and Dark roasts first rolled out at Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, which opened June 24 in Cornersville, Tennessee. The coffee is expected to be available nationwide in both ground and K-Cup varieties.”I’ve spent a lifetime workin’ 9 to 5, 5 to 9, and every hour in between! It takes a lot of energy to pursue your passion and navigate each day,” Parton said in the news release announcing Cup of Ambition. “That’s why I wanted to make a coffee that works just as hard. You know, I begin each morning with a head full of dreams, a notepad full of ideas, and a cup or two of coffee. Whether you’re chasing dreams, tackling that to-do list, or just enjoying a quiet morning at home. I hope it brings a smile with every sip.”
There’s also a line of Dolly Wines.
Dolly Parton had her own line of cookware and cookbooks
Parton didn’t expect fans to survive on TV dinners — she also taught how to cook.
Her first cookbook, “Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s: Love, Laughter, and Lots of Good Food,” released in 2006, had more than 100 recipes inspired by her childhood and career.
A second cookbook, “Good Lookin’ Cookin'” coauthored with her sister Rachel Parton George, was a best seller and the No. 1 cookbook of 2024.
In 2024, she partnered with Lodge Cast Iron to launch a cookware line that included an 8-inch cast-iron skillet engraved with the phrase “Jolene, please don’t take my pan,” on the bottom. Other houseware items, including spatulas and measuring cups, were also available.
Contributing: Amaris Encinas
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.