I Lived In North Carolina More Than 5 Years And I've Never Had Sonker
By Carolyn Harmon|Published May 23, 2024
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Carolyn Harmon
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Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
A sweet, iconic food in North Carolina has escaped these lips — which is shocking, because I have tried almost everything that contains sugar. Sonker, a dessert from Surry County, is sort of like a pie and a cobbler all rolled into one. The pastry is so delicious an entire festival has been created in its honor. And what do you know — even a Surry Sonker Trail has been mapped out for folks to easily find this confectionary delight. Let’s see what all of the fuss is about.
I come from a long line of bakers who taught me the process of crafting homemade egg noodles, crinkly molasses cookies, and lovely pies.
The Sonker Festival is a Surry County tradition presented each year by the Surry County Historical Society. It is a reminder of how these family recipes have been passed down for generations and are a regional tradition. The 43rd annual event takes place on Oct. 5, 2024 at the Edwards Franklin House.
I’m going to try this recipe for the iconic food in North Carolina one of these weekends. Have you ever made sonker? Could you let us know how it turned out in the comments below?
If you’re around Mount Airy in September, visit the annual Mayberry Days Festival. And consider showing some state love with a Wear Your Roots tee shirt, sweatshirt, or hat. Use the coupon code NorthCarolina10 for 10 percent off of your purchase.
