Dessert review: Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar in Dallas

by Jayme Campbell of Confection Confessions

They sweet talk you with their southern hospitality, liquor you up with their fantastic cocktails, and then tempt you with their sugary wares.

Photo by Jayme Campbell

Sissy's Alabama Lane Cake

Walking into Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar, you are transported to 1940s Alabama; complete with Billy Reid bowties on the guys. I was in love. Every detail was impeccable. I am definitely one to notice the little details and they made my evening.

Southern hospitality was in abundance here. Everyone was so wonderful and charming that I wanted to bring the whole staff home with me.

My attempt to not overstuff myself was a ridiculous plan because the food was so amazing that I just couldn’t stop. Self-control is not something I pride myself in.

After a particular filling meal of squash puppies, chicken fried sterling steak, biscuits, corn bread, and mashed potatoes; I was painfully full. Still, I pressed on. Being the good southern girl that I am, I felt it would be rude to not order dessert.

We would have ordered the whole dessert menu, but seeing as how I only had one person with me, we decided to scale back and order four. Good southern ladies practice moderation, yes? Since I was trying to channel my inner Southern Bell, I thought it only fitting to not look like a pig. However, the Buttermilk Pecan Pie was the dessert I was looking forward to the most, and they were out of it. I admit, I was pretty heartbroken and thought of drowning my sorrows in a good Bourbon Milk Punch. However, I forgot all about why I was sad when our selection of desserts hit the table.

Our dessert selections of the evening were Better Than Sex Chocolate Cake, Alabama Lane Cake, and the Sweet Potato Tart.

Photo by Jayme Campbell

Sissy's sweet potato pie

Let’s start with the Better than Sex Chocolate cake. Now, you’re probably asking if it really is better than sex. I have said in my life that I have found a handful of desserts that I would exchange for sex under the right circumstances; and Sissy’s has found all of the right circumstances. They sweet talk you with their southern hospitality, liquor you up with their fantastic cocktails, and then tempt you with their sugary wares. This chocolate cake is a super light and moist pudding cake that falls apart on the plate (This isn’t a bad thing, people.) A solid slice of cake may be pretty, but the fact that I need a spoon rather than a fork to eat this cake makes the thought of adding a glass of milk with it blasphemy. The bottom of the plate has a delicious crunchy peanut butter sauce that the cake is nestled on top of. We all know that adding peanut butter to chocolate takes something delicious to downright sinful.

Next up is a cake that was pretty new to me: the Alabama Lane Cake. Traditionally, this is a bourbon-soaked white sponge cake that is very light since it is made with egg whites. It is frosted with meringue buttercream and topped with shredded coconut. The inside filling has bourbon, butter, sugar, and raisins. To me it almost tasted like the inside of a King Cake, and let’s be honest; they had me at bourbon.

Last, but certainly not least, was Sweet Potato Tart with cinnamon whip cream. It was a perfect mini sweet potato pie with a light and buttery crust. It was simple and traditional, and that is exactly what a sweet potato pie should be.

At Sissy’s, I felt so at home. All I needed was a porch swing and a glass of lemonade. I am counting down the days until return for the elusive Buttermilk Pecan Pie.