SURRY COUNTY, N.C. — Surry County is known for many things, like "The Andy Griffith Show" and the famous town of Mayberry, but what many people don't know is Surry County has a signature dessert and it's called sonker.
Surry County isn't just known for "The Andy Griffith Show." It's also known for a popular dessert
The Surry Sonker Trail is created in 2015 and highlights places that sell the sonker dessert
The dessert is a fruit pie that is similar to a cobbler
The Surry Sonker Trail was created in 2015 and highlights establishments all around the county that carry sonker. Recently, two new establishments were added, and one of those is located in Pilot Mountain.
"Sonker is a fruit pie, very similar to a cobbler,” said Mardi White, head cook at The Tilted Ladder.
Since the 1800s, sonker has made its way into the hearts and homes of Surry County.
“It’s part of Surry County’s heritage," White said. "Not really sure who the first person was that invented it. My original recipe actually came from my friend's grandmother, a 90-something-year-old grandmother.”
White knew she needed to make sure their sonker recipe stood out from the rest.
“Our sonker is served in a martini glass, and we also use a milk dip with it. I’ll put the spoon down in it, and if it coats the spoon it’s thick enough. Kind of like icing-ish," said White.
It is believed that sonker was created so that people could stretch out the usage of their fruit during tough times.
“Apple, strawberry, blueberry, peach, my favorite one to make is probably the strawberry one cause it’s the gooiest,” said White.
The Surry Conker Trail currently highlights eight different establishments, all within 40 minutes of each other.
“From the trail, we’ve had three different visits. We had a photographer come by that took some pictures of the finished product. There’s a gentleman from Raleigh associated with the Sonker Trail, who came by and not to brag but he said our sweet potato sonker is the best one he ever tasted," White said.
The Tilted Ladder in Pilot Mountain has been a part of the Surry Sonker Trail going on four months now.
“We heard about the Sonker Trail here in town, and so we said let’s make one here,” White said.
The main ingredients for the crust are simple.
“There’s flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder,” White said.
As for the filling, White said: "a little bit of flour, cinnamon, more brown sugar. Sonkers are very sweet, very very sweet. A little bit of honey, and you mix all that in and give it a light toss.”
Of course, sweet potatoes are the star of this sonker.
After it's done baking, viola.
