Twinkies, an iconic snack food from Hostess Brands, have been around since 1937.
They’ve also gained a reputation as one of the worst snacks to ever grace our plates.
But now they can be enjoyed in new ways thanks to these recipes that will take your mind off those stale-tasting, sweetened bread sticks and bring back fond memories of childhood.
What Is A Twinkie Cake?
A twinkie cake is a sponge cake baked with layers of moist white chocolate chip cookies (called “twinkies”) inside it.
The cake itself has a crumbly texture similar to pound cake or angel food cake.
This makes it easy to cut into slices and serve at parties.
The combination of the softness of the cake and the chewy texture of the cookie gives this treat its name.
There are many different varieties of cakes like banana cream pie and brown sugar cake that use the same basic ingredients but don’t call them twinkie cakes.
You may even find some recipes using other types of cookies instead of twinkies.
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter
- 4 ounces water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup chopped walnuts
- 8 – 12 oz package of white chocolate chips
- 12 – 16 oz box of marshmallows
Directions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease two 9 inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and line bottoms with parchment paper.
Step 2: In mixer beat together butter, 4 ounces of water, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla and continue beating on low speed until well mixed.
Step 3: Sift dry ingredients together then add to wet mixture along with the remaining ⅓ cup of milk. Beat on medium speed until just combined.
Step 4: Fold in the nuts and mix again. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before cutting into wedges.
Step 5: Melt 8 oz of white chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl about 30 seconds at a time until smooth and melted. Drizzle over cooled cake and top with 6 – 8 oz of marshmallow pieces. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
How Do You Make A Twinkie Cake?
The first thing you need to know about this classic dessert is that it doesn’t actually involve a Twinkie at all.
Instead, it’s a sponge cake with marshmallow frosting (or mallow spread) on top.
Here are some other things you should keep in mind if you want to bake up a batch of this tasty treat:
- Don’t use Twinkies that aren’t fresh. The texture of the cake may not be what you’re hoping for.
- Make sure to use a large bowl when mixing the ingredients together. If you don’t, there could be too much air between the eggs and sugar which results in dry batter.
- Use room temperature butter instead of melted butter. Melted butter will cause the cake to rise less than normal.
- If you don’t want to wait until the end of the day to enjoy your creation, try baking the cakes ahead of time. You’ll get better results if you let them cool completely before glazing or icing them.
- You might like to add a little vanilla extract to the cake mix so that your finished product tastes more authentic.
- To cut down on the amount of calories, skip using real Twinkies altogether and substitute with mini chocolate chips.
What Is The Best Twinkie Cake Recipe?
If there was ever a time when we needed a Twinkie Cake recipe it would probably be right after the 2011 bankruptcy of Hostess Brands.
After all, who could forget their iconic logo or name—the “Hostess Ding Dong”?
These cakes were created by the company, but became famous due to the fact that people couldn’t get enough of them.
The Twinkie Cake recipe on this page has been updated with the latest information about this classic treat.
We hope that you enjoy making this tasty dessert!
- Ingredients:
- 1 box (12 ounces) chocolate chips
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 egg white
- 16 oz. vanilla pudding mix
- 15 oz. Cool Whip
- 8oz. cream cheese
- 1 bag (20 oz.) mini marshmallows
- 1 bag (20 oz.) miniature candy bars
- 6 bags (7 oz.) each mini caramels
- 1 package (10 oz.) semisweet baking chocolate
- 1 package (5 oz.) milk chocolate
- 1 bag (18 oz.) white chocolate chips
- 1 bag (9 oz.) white melting wafers
- 1 bag (14 oz.) coconut flakes
- 1 bag (13 oz.) chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1 bag (11 oz.) chocolate chip cookie dough
- 1 bag (17 oz.) dark brown sugar
- 1 bag (21 oz.) large marshmallows
- 1 bag (13 oz.) small marshmallows
- 1 bag (14 oz.) pretzels
- 1 bag (8 oz.) graham cracker crumbs
What Are Some Variations Of Twinkie Cake?
There are plenty of options when it comes to making a twinkie cake.
You could go classic with a sponge cake or try something a little different like this marshmallow cake.
- Baked Twinkie Cake Recipe – A simple sponge cake covered with chocolate frosting and decorated with sprinkles.
- Twinkie Cupcakes – These cupcakes use the iconic shape of a Twinkie as their base. The top gets a coat of white icing before being topped with colorful candied fruit and rainbow sprinkles.
- Marshmallow Twinkie Cake – This version uses marshmallows instead of real Twinkies.
- Twinkie Pie – This treat combines a traditional pie crust, cream cheese filling, and a layer of vanilla pudding on top of a rich brown sugar topping.
How Do You Decorate A Twinkie Cake?
If you want to celebrate with friends or family by baking something fun, then this is the cake for you!
But before we get into how to make it, let’s talk about what makes up this dessert.
- 1 box (12 ounces/340 grams) chocolate fudge brownie mix
- 3 boxes (14-ounce/400 grams each) white cake mix
- 1 bag (16 ounces/480 grams) powdered sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- Two 12-count packages (7 inches x 2 ½ inches/18 cm x 6.5cm)
- 6 packs (24 pieces) mini marshmallows
- Chocolate syrup
- Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar on top
What Is The History Of The Twinkie Cake?
The twinkie cake was created by Chef John Harvey Kellogg, who owned and ran the Battle Creek Sanitarium until his death in October 1906.
When he died, he left behind more than 100 different health-related books and pamphlets on dieting and nutrition which were published under the name “Plantation House Publications.”
One pamphlet included a recipe for a cake called the “Bread Stick Cake” or “Chocolate Bread Sticks” (depending on where it was first printed).
The recipe used two types of chocolate wafers, and the finished product looked like a big piece of candy with some crunchy bits mixed in.
Kellogg claimed this treat helped keep patients healthy during their stay at the sanitarium.
In 1908, the recipe was adapted into a cake and named after its ingredients — “Twinkeetake” or “Twinkletoast.”
In the early 1900s, the word “Twinkies” wasn’t actually used to refer to the snack cakes themselves, but rather the company that produced them.
But when the cakes became wildly popular, the term stuck around.
Hostess Brands bought the rights to use the brand name “Twinkies” in 2012 for $410 million, and has continued producing the snack cakes ever since.
So what exactly makes the Twinkie so special?
How Did The Twinkie Cake Become Popular?
The popularity of this snack cake began with its very name.
A few years ago, a woman named Amy Wanta was attempting to bake something special for her son’s birthday party when she realized that there were no other cakes like it on the market.
She decided to create her own version using ingredients that would normally go into a traditional chocolate or vanilla sponge cake.
The result was the “Twinkie Cake.”
Wanta has said that her inspiration came from the fact that she had not seen another dessert quite like hers before.
So she added two things to her usual mix — a layer of white frosting and a layer of pink frosting.
The final product looked more like a sandwich than a cake, but it tasted great, so she called it a “Twinkie Cake.”
And thus the snack cake trend took root.
Where do you get your Twinkie Cake recipe?
You can find many different recipes online for making a Twinkie Cake at home, including this one from Food Network Kitchen.
However, we recommend sticking with the original idea because it will give you better results.
If you want to make a Twinkie Cake yourself, start by baking a basic sponge cake according to your favorite recipe.
Then cut both layers horizontally into three equal pieces.
Next, place each piece vertically (like a ladder) onto a plate and fill it up halfway with a combination of strawberry jam and cream cheese frosting.
Place the second half of the cake on top of the first and then use a knife or spatula to spread the remaining frosting over all four sides of the cake.
When the cake is done, you can either serve it immediately or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until later.
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Twinkie Cake?
The twinkie cake has appeared on nearly every list of best cakes or desserts over the years.
The New York Times included it in their top ten list of Best Cakes Ever Made.
In fact, there are so many websites dedicated to this particular cake that we decided to compile a list of them all here.
Check out the links below if you want more information about this treat.
- http://www.foodnetworkmagazine.com/recipes/index.php/best-cakes-ever-made/103873/#ixzz1YyQZmqbH
- https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/11/the-best-twinkie-cake-recipe-youll-find-online.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F5J8V6wK9M
- https://www.gastronomy.about.com/od/desserts/a/TwinkieCakeRecipe.htm
- https://youtu.be/jzkWlx_r4cE
- http://www.cookinglight.com/2012/02/08/top-100-favorite-recipes/235700/?page=7#comments
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf0-jS0n3NU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR_7e7rzZhA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3oP8uI6_x4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV1Qg8RfkDc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LrE6-QeTIM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8pK4f8b0E
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hostess-Brand-Recipes/141545361807894
- https://www.hostessbrand.com/sites/default/files/Twinkie%20Cake%20Recipe%201.pdf
How Do You Serve Twinkie Cake?
The first step is making the cake itself.
You will need to prepare it by melting butter, whipping cream, and mixing together with dry ingredients.
Once everything has come together, pour batter into a greased pan.
Then place this into a hot oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until done.
Once completed, remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting into pieces.
You may want to make sure the cake has cooled thoroughly before serving so it doesn’t get soggy.
Here are some fun ways to enjoy this classic treat:
- Make Twinkie Cupcakes – These cupcake recipes use mini muffin cups instead of baking pans, which makes them easier to eat on their own.
- Make Twinkie Cookies – These cookies look like little cakes, but they taste just like the original Twinkie.
- Make Twinkie Pie – A great way to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving, this pie uses a chocolate crust and filling that includes marshmallow creme, peanut butter chips, and whipped topping.
- Make Twinkie Ice Cream Sandwiches – These ice cream sandwiches are a nice alternative to traditional sundaes because there’s no caramel sauce involved.
- Use Twinkies as decorations – For the holidays, why not put up some Twinkie garlands? Or how about using them as mini candles to light during parties?
- Make Twinkie Fondue – Instead of dipping strawberries in melted cheese, try putting the berries in a bowl filled with a mixture of chopped Twinkies, marshmallows, and more.
- Try Twinkie Popsicles – If you don’t feel like waiting for the cake to cool enough to cut, you can freeze it right away and then pop it out when ready to eat.
- Put Twinkies inside a sandwich – Try stuffing a plain white bread roll with cream cheese and then placing a few slices of banana on top. Top with another slice of bread and slice down the middle.
- Build Twinkie towers – Use small glass bowls and marshmallows to create tower structures that resemble the famous breakfast food.
- Eat them straight out of the package – If you hate eating things that are still wrapped up, you can always dig into a box of fresh Twinkies.
- Cut Twinkies into strips and fry them – Use a paper towel to cover a pot of oil over medium heat. Add the strips of Twinkies and fry until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes per side.
- Add flavor to Twinkies – The possibilities are endless here, whether you add cinnamon, vanilla, or other flavors to the dough to create different tastes.
What Are Some Common Myths About Twinkie Cake?
The first thing you should know is that there isn’t actually a “real” twinkie cake.
There was never a commercial version released by Hostess Brands – it just doesn’t exist.
There have, however, been several different versions of twinkie cakes over the years.
The most famous example is probably this recipe, which uses four boxes of Hostess Ho Hos instead of actual Twinkies (or Twix or Snickers).
This particular recipe goes into great detail on how to make the cake itself, but we won’t get into all of its intricacies here.
If you want to try making your own recipe for a real twinkie cake, check out this website for detailed instructions.
One major myth surrounding twinkie cakes is that they were created as a marketing ploy to sell more Twinkies.
While that may be true, the truth behind them is much less sinister than many people think.
In fact, Twinkies themselves weren’t always known for their taste.
Early on, the company had trouble selling enough of their products because they didn’t really taste like anything special.
In 1938, the Twinkie Corporation introduced a new product called Cream Soda Twinkies.
These tasted so good that they became wildly popular with kids who would sneak away from home to eat them.
Eventually, though, Hostess decided to change up the formula again.
A few months later, they came out with another type of cream soda-flavored treat called Orange Crush.
And then, finally, in 1957, Hostess unveiled their latest flavor innovation – the original Hostess Cupcake.
It wasn’t until 1958 when Twinkies started being sold in stores nationwide.
Before that, only a limited number of bakeries across America could produce Twinkies.
But once they did become available in grocery stores, the demand far exceeded supply.
Soon after, Hostess decided to start producing Twinkies at larger factories, and eventually launched a national advertising campaign to promote their brand.
While Twinkies might not exactly be the healthiest snack on the market, they are still relatively low in calories compared to other sugary treats.
Plus, they contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
So if you need something quick and easy to munch on while watching TV, maybe give twinkie cake a shot.
You’ll find plenty of options online to choose from, including this recipe for Twinkie Cake Pops.
Equipment
- The Pan
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup shortening
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- The yellow cake should be prepared as directed on the package. Evenly distribute the batter between two 9×13″ pans (one greased with cooking spray, the other lined with parchment paper). Cakes should be baked for 15 minutes or until done, then totally cooled.
- With a whisk, combine milk and flour in a pot. Stirring regularly, bring to a boil until thick. Turn off the heat and allow to cool.
- Shortening, butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla should all be combined in a sizable basin (or stand mixer with a whisk attachment) and whisked until frothy.
- Blend in the chilled milk mixture after adding it.
- Place the cake that has been baked in a pan with parchment paper on a cooling rack. The parchment paper must be removed.
- Spread the filling over the cake before adding the second layer.
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Nutrition
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