Craving that iconic, irresistible treat from your childhood? Get ready to embark on a delicious journey to recreate the legendary Hostess Ding Dong snack cake right in your own kitchen! This extraordinary homemade Ding Dong Cake recipe elevates the classic, delivering a generous, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Imagine a symphony of intensely moist, rich chocolate cake, generously layered with a light-as-air, fluffy vanilla cream filling, all enrobed in a glossy, simple-to-make chocolate ganache icing. It’s more than just a cake; it’s a taste of nostalgia, a giant version of a beloved memory that promises to delight every chocolate lover at your table.
For those who adore the classic Ding Dong snack, this recipe is a dream come true. Instead of a single, bite-sized chocolate delight, you get an entire decadent cake, bursting with flavor and creamy goodness. There’s an undeniable charm and sentimental value associated with Hostess treats, particularly the chocolate Ding Dongs. For many of us, they were cherished lunchbox staples, a sweet reward nestled between sandwiches and fruit. Recreating this iconic treat in a larger-than-life format is not just about baking; it’s about revisiting those fond childhood memories and sharing them with loved ones. It’s an ideal showstopper for birthday parties, holiday gatherings, family reunions, or simply a weekend indulgence. This giant Hostess-style Ding Dong cake is guaranteed to be a conversation starter and a guaranteed hit!
Crafting Your Ultimate Homemade Hostess Ding Dong Cake
The foundation of an exceptional Ding Dong cake is, undoubtedly, a supremely moist and flavorful chocolate cake. You have several options to achieve this. For convenience, you can certainly start with your favorite high-quality chocolate box mix. To elevate a simple box mix, consider trying a “semi-homemade” approach: replace the water with milk (or even buttermilk for extra tang and moisture), and stir in a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt. These simple adjustments can transform a standard mix into a wonderfully rich and tender cake. Alternatively, if you prefer to bake from scratch, any reliable homemade chocolate cake recipe that yields a dense yet moist crumb will work beautifully. Regardless of your chosen method, bake your chocolate cake batter in two round cake pans. We recommend using 8-inch cake pans for a taller, more impressive cake, reminiscent of the substantial feel of a classic Ding Dong. However, 9-inch pans will also yield a delicious cake, just a bit wider and shorter.
Perfecting the Fluffy Vanilla Cream Filling
While your chocolate cake layers are cooling, it’s time to prepare the star of the show: the incredibly fluffy vanilla cream filling. This filling is a delightful variation of what’s known as ermine frosting, often compared to a “boiled milk frosting” due to its unique preparation method. It results in a stable yet incredibly light and airy cream, a perfect contrast to the rich chocolate cake.
The process begins by whisking together milk and all-purpose flour in a small saucepan to form a smooth paste. This mixture is then gently cooked over medium-low heat, with constant stirring, until it thickens into a bubbly, pudding-like consistency. It’s crucial to let this flour-milk paste cool completely before proceeding; chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 10-15 minutes ensures it’s perfectly cold and ready. In a separate bowl, you’ll beat together shortening, softened butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and fluffy. A stand mixer is highly recommended for this step, as it allows you to incorporate ample air, resulting in the desired ethereal texture. If a stand mixer isn’t available, a powerful hand mixer will also do the trick. Attempting this by hand would be quite challenging due to the amount of whipping required to dissolve the sugar granules and aerate the frosting.
While many frostings utilize a paddle attachment, this is a prime opportunity to bring out your stand mixer’s balloon whisk. Once the butter, shortening, and sugar mixture is fluffy, gradually incorporate the cooled flour-milk paste and a generous splash of vanilla extract. Now, let your mixer work its magic! Beat the mixture on high speed for a full 10 minutes. This extended whipping time is essential; it ensures that the sugar granules fully dissolve, and the frosting transforms into an incredibly voluminous, smooth, and fluffy cloud of vanilla cream. Once achieved, spread this luscious filling generously over one cooled chocolate cake layer, extending it right to the edges. Carefully place the second chocolate cake layer on top, creating a beautiful and delicious sandwich.
Crafting the Rich Chocolate Ganache Icing
The final touch to this magnificent Ding Dong cake is a simple yet incredibly rich chocolate ganache icing. This easy recipe creates a glossy, pourable glaze that perfectly emulates the classic snack cake’s finish.
Begin by gently melting semi-sweet chocolate and butter together in a saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring until completely smooth and free of any lumps. Once you have a beautiful, melted chocolate mixture, remove it from the heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until well combined. The key to the perfect pourable consistency lies in the addition of hot water. Add it gradually, a tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously, until the icing reaches a consistency that is thick enough to coat the cake without being too runny. It should flow smoothly but retain some body. Carefully pour this luscious ganache over the top of your assembled cake. You can gently encourage it to spread to the edges, allowing it to naturally drip down the sides for that characteristic Ding Dong look. While you could try to spread it evenly around the sides, the beauty of this icing often lies in its effortless drips, creating an artful, rustic appeal.
Personally, I adore seeing a hint of the creamy white filling peeking through the rich chocolate glaze as it drips down the sides. It creates an enticing visual preview of the delightful layers within, igniting anticipation and exciting your taste buds even before the first forkful touches your lips.
And just like that, your magnificent homemade Ding Dong cake is almost ready! Allow the chocolate icing to set completely before serving. For the cleanest, most picture-perfect slices, we recommend chilling the entire cake for at least an hour. This allows the fluffy cream filling to firm up slightly, making it easier to cut through without smudging. However, for the absolute best flavor experience, this cake truly shines when served at room temperature. The chocolate cake becomes more tender, and the cream filling achieves its optimal smooth texture and vanilla aroma. You can achieve this balance by cutting the chilled cake into individual slices and then letting them sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before serving. Individual slices will come to room temperature much faster than the whole cake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your Homemade Ding Dong Cake
What is the creamy filling in a Ding Dong cake made from?
The delicious, fluffy filling in this homemade Ding Dong cake recipe is a classic ermine frosting, which is sometimes referred to as a flour buttercream. It’s created by cooking milk and flour into a thick paste, then cooling it completely. This paste is then vigorously beaten with shortening, softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. The result is an incredibly light, airy, and stable whipped filling that has a delicate vanilla flavor and a dreamy texture, perfectly complementing the rich chocolate cake.
What kind of chocolate cake works best for this recipe?
This versatile Ding Dong cake recipe can be made using various chocolate cake bases, depending on your preference and time constraints. For ultimate ease, your favorite chocolate cake mix is an excellent choice. To enhance a box mix, consider replacing water with milk or adding a touch of sour cream for extra moisture. A devil’s food cake mix or recipe is a particularly good option due to its deep chocolate flavor and tender crumb. If you prefer baking from scratch, any rich, moist chocolate cake recipe will be suitable. I’ve also found great success using a simple chocolate “crazy cake” recipe, as it’s almost as quick to prepare as a box mix and consistently delivers a wonderfully moist and utterly delicious cake.
Can I freeze leftover Ding Dong cake?
Absolutely! This homemade Ding Dong cake freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy slices whenever a craving strikes. To freeze, first, chill the cake thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This step is important as it helps to firm up the creamy filling, making it easier to handle. Once chilled, cut the cake into individual slices. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring it’s sealed completely to prevent freezer burn. Then, place the wrapped slices inside a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. The cake can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, simply remove it from the freezer, unwrap it, and let it thaw at room temperature for approximately 30-60 minutes before indulging. It will taste just as fresh and delicious as the day it was baked!
More Beloved Nostalgic Dessert Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with this giant Ding Dong cake, you’re sure to enjoy other classic desserts that evoke a sense of sweet nostalgia. One delightful option is a homemade chocolate whoopie pie. These charming, handheld treats offer a similar blissful combination of rich chocolate cake-like cookies and a creamy, dreamy filling, providing a fun and portable way to enjoy that beloved flavor profile.
Oatmeal cream pie bars offer another fantastic, scaled-up twist on a classic lunchbox favorite. This recipe transforms the individual oatmeal cream pie into a convenient bar format, making it perfect for sharing. The chewy, comforting oatmeal cookie base pairs exquisitely with a fluffy marshmallow buttercream filling, creating a dessert that’s both familiar and wonderfully satisfying.
For a whimsical and incredibly easy no-bake dessert, dirt pudding jars are a timeless childhood favorite that will instantly become a hit again. Layers of crushed Oreo cookies, creamy chocolate pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and rich cream cheese combine to create a fun, delicious, and effortlessly satisfying treat that requires no oven time at all. It’s the perfect no-bake dessert for kids and adults alike!
Did you make this great recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!
Giant Homemade Ding Dong Cake
Equipment
-
Spread Kindness Like Frosting Pullover Hoodie
-
Libbey Selene Glass Cake Stand with Dome
-
Wilton 9-Inch Round Cake Pans, Set of 2
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake baked in two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans*
Filling
- ½ cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
- ¼ cup shortening
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing
- ⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons hot water
Instructions
-
Bake your chocolate cakes according to the recipe or package directions, then allow them to cool completely before proceeding with the next steps.1 chocolate cake baked in two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans*
Ermine Frosting Filling
-
In a small saucepan, whisk together the cold milk and all-purpose flour until thoroughly combined and smooth. Cook this mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until it thickens significantly and begins to bubble. Once thick, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. For quicker cooling, you can place it in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes.½ cup milk, 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream together the shortening, softened butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Next, add the completely cooled milk paste and vanilla extract. Switch to a whisk attachment if available, and beat the mixture on high speed for a full 10 minutes. During this process, be sure to stop occasionally and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure everything is evenly incorporated and the sugar fully dissolves.¼ cup shortening, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Place one cooled chocolate cake layer onto your serving plate or cake stand. Evenly spread the entire fluffy cream filling over this bottom cake layer, extending it almost to the very edge. Carefully place the second chocolate cake layer on top, aligning it precisely.
Chocolate Icing
-
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt together the semi-sweet chocolate and butter over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate, 4 Tablespoons butter
-
Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. Gradually add 2 to 3 Tablespoons of hot water, one teaspoon at a time, beating constantly until you achieve a consistency that is still relatively thick but flows easily when poured. It should be just thin enough to spread without running off the cake too quickly.1 cup powdered sugar, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Pour and spread the warm chocolate icing evenly over the top of the assembled cake. Allow the glaze to naturally drip down the sides, creating that iconic Ding Dong look. Let the icing set before slicing and serving.
Notes
Video
Nutrition Information
“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you try this recipe?
Don’t forget to leave a rating below and make sure to follow on Pinterest and Instagram for more!