Here’s a decadent and nostalgic Ding Dong Cake recipe inspired by the famous Hostess snack cakes! It features rich chocolate cake layers, a fluffy marshmallow-cream filling, and a glossy chocolate ganache coating. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just indulgent weekends!
DING DONG CAKE
🔹 Ingredients:
For the Chocolate Cake:
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1¾ cups all-purpose flour
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¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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2 cups granulated sugar
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1½ tsp baking powder
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1½ tsp baking soda
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1 tsp salt
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2 eggs
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1 cup buttermilk
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½ cup vegetable oil
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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1 cup hot coffee or hot water
For the Cream Filling:
(Marshmallow Whip Style Filling)
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup marshmallow creme (like Marshmallow Fluff)
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1½ cups powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk (adjust for consistency)
For the Chocolate Ganache:
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1 cup heavy cream
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1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
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1 tbsp butter (for shine, optional)
🔹 Instructions:
✅ Make the Chocolate Cake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line with parchment).
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Mix Dry Ingredients in a large bowl: flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Add Wet Ingredients: eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until combined.
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Add Hot Coffee/Water gradually while mixing. Batter will be thin — that’s good!
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Pour into pans and bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool completely on wire racks.
✅ Make the Cream Filling:
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Beat butter until creamy.
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Add marshmallow creme and vanilla; mix well.
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Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
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Add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until light and spreadable.
✅ Make the Ganache:
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Heat cream in a saucepan until just about to boil.
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Pour over chocolate in a bowl. Let sit 2 minutes.
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Stir until smooth. Add butter if using for shine.
✅ Assemble the Cake:
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Level cakes if needed.
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Spread the cream filling thickly over one cake layer.
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Place second layer on top and gently press.
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Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
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Chill for 30–60 minutes before slicing for best results.
🍰 Tips:
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You can freeze the cake layers ahead of time for easier frosting.
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For mini “Ding Dong” cupcakes, use the same recipe in a cupcake tin and pipe in filling.