Ding Dong Cake: the fudgy dessert recipe inspired by the famous snack

This Ding Dong Cake is inspired by a favorite childhood treat. Inspired by the original Hostess Ding Dong snack cakes, this easy dessert recipe is just as fluffy and creamy as you would remember them. To make it, you first create a rich chocolate batter, fill it with a custard filling, and top it with a chocolate ganache. The final result is a layered cake with dark chocolate layers, and a white, creamy filling.

Indulge yourself with this ultimate chocolate cake recipe that is beautifully moist, rich, and fudgy. Want to make the best chocolate cake you ever tasted and be transported back to your childhood? This recipe is the one for you.

What is a Ding Dong Cake?

The Ding Dong Cake gets its name from the classic packaged snack cakes called Hostess Ding Dongs. It’s similar in flavor to a whoopie pie and consists of light and fluffy chocolate cake, filled with a creamy filling and covered with chocolate ganache. It’s such a pleasant dessert to eat, and will definitely be a crowd-pleaser!

How To Make Ding Dong Cake

Start by making the chocolate cake. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, and then combine the two, mixing them together until a smooth batter forms.

To prepare the filling, the egg whites are gently heated while whisking. It is then taken off the heat and whisked until peaks form. This creamy filling is spread between the two layers of cake, and it's topped with the chocolate ganache. Once the ganache is set, slice it in squares, and serve!

Tips

For a quick no-bake version, use any recipe for a no-bake chocolate cake, and fill it with whipped cream.

Make it vegan and keto-friendly, by making the chocolate cake with almond flour and monk fruit sweetener. And use a coconut cream filling (make sure to whip it until fluffy).

You can make a round cake too if you prefer. Pour the batter into round cake pans instead. You can even turn them into cupcakes. Simply pour the batter into muffin molds, and once baked, slice it in half, then add the filling.

To add more flavor to the cake batter, add coffee or peanut butter to the batter.

You can use marshmallow crème as a filling instead of the egg white filling.

How To Store Ding Dong Cake

Leftover cake can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

Can You Freeze Ding Dong Cake?

It works better to freeze individual slices of Ding Dong Cake. Simply wrap the slices with plastic wrap, place them in freezer-safe Ziploc bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.

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Instructions

Sift together the dry ingredients and whisk them together.

In a separate bowl whisk together buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.

Add this into the dry mixture. Mix until you no longer see specks of dry flour.

Pour the batter into a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake 1 hour at 180°C/360°F.

Meanwhile, heat a small amount of water in a saucepan. Set a heatproof glass bowl above it and add the eggs, sugar, and salt, Stir together until they reach 70°C.

Remove from the heat and whisk vigorously until they form stiff peaks. Keep whisking until they are below 30°C. Add in soft butter and whisk well.

Cut the cake in half and carefully separate the two layers.

Smooth buttercream between two halves.

Place the second layer of the cake on top.

Heat the cream with chocolate and pour it onto the cake.

Leave to cool until the ganache hardens, then slice into squares. Slice and serve.

Notes

Serve the Ding Dong Cake with whipped cream, ice cream, or chocolate sauce.