Ding Dong Cake

This Ding Dong cake is homemade big version of the Hostess Ding Dongs! This a two layer chocolate cake filled with a cream center. The cake is topped with a chocolate ganache. It has all of the best features of Ding Dongs, but in a homemade cake!

This Ding Dong cake is a homemade cake with all of the flavors and the look of a large Ding Dong. It tastes and feels like a fresh Ding Dong, with moist chocolate cake and a fresh homemade cream filling. The ganache on top of the cake completes the look.

For other small cake recipes try, Mini Chocolate Cake, Mini Vanilla Cake, and Mini Carrot Cake.

Jump to:

• Why This Ding Dong Cake Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes For Ding Dong Cake
• Ingredient Substitutions
• Step By Step Instructions- Chocolate Cake Layers
• Step By Step Instructions- Cream Filling
• Step By Step Instructions- Assembly
• Expert Baking Tips
• FAQ
• Recipe Variations
• Storing and Freezing
• 📖 Recipe

Why This Ding Dong Cake Recipe Works

• Better than Ding Dongs- This cake takes everything great about a Ding Dong and improves it! It has that chocolate cake and fluffy cream filling, but the flavors and textures are even fresher!
• Perfect texture- This Ding Dong cake has moist cake with a tender texture.
• Creamy filling- The cream filling has that same texture as a Ding Dong, but fresh and homemade!

Ingredient Notes For Ding Dong Cake

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Unsweetened cocoa powder- I strongly recommend dutch process cocoa powder for a more rich chocolate flavor. This is the one I used.
• Oil- Use canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil.
• Eggs- Pull the large eggs out 2 hours before baking to get room temperature eggs.
• Buttermilk- Use full fat or reduced fat buttermilk. Pull this out 2 hours before baking.
• Hot water- The water needs to be steaming. The hot water helps to bloom the chocolate. You can also use hot coffee instead.
• Chocolate Chips- Use semi-sweet chocolate chips for the best flavor as milk chocolate will be too sweet.
• Milk- Use any kind of milk.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
• Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.
• Buttermilk- You can also do 1 cup of milk with 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using.

Step By Step Instructions- Chocolate Cake Layers

Here is how to make and bake these Ding Dong cake layers.

STEP 1: Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, spray two 6-inch round cake pans with baking spray. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper and spray them again.

STEP 2: Dry ingredients. Sift the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl.

STEP 3: Wet ingredients. Use a stove to heat the water until steaming. Meanwhile, add the eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk to a separate bowl. Add the hot water to the wet ingredients while continuously mixing. Go slowly so the eggs do not cook.

STEP 4: Combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix them until they are just combined. Be careful not to over mix them.

STEP 5: Divide batter. Pour the batter evenly between the 2 cake pans.

STEP 6: Bake. Bake the cakes for 25-28 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

STEP 7: Cool. Let the cakes cool in the hot pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step By Step Instructions- Cream Filling

Here is how to make and bake the cream filling. This recipes uses a stand mixer.

STEP 1: Thicken milk. Add the milk and flour to a saucepan and heat it over medium heat on the stove. Continuously whisk it until the milk mixture has thickened. This will take about 2 minutes after the milk is heated up.

STEP 2: Cool. Pour your milk mixture into a bowl and let it cool completely.

STEP 3: Beat butter and sugar. Use a mixer to beat the butter and sugar together on high speed for 3 minutes. While still on high speed, slowly add the milk mixture and then vanilla.

STEP 4: Beat filling. Once the ingredients are all mixed in let the mixer run on high speed for 5 minutes. The filling should be close to whipped cream in texture.

Step By Step Instructions- Assembly

Here is how to make the ganache and assemble the Ding Dong cake.

STEP 1: Level cakes. Use a serrated knife to cut any uneven domes off the top of your cakes.

STEP 2: Place layers. Place the first cake layer down on your decorating space. Then, spread 1 cup of the cream filling evenly over cake. Place the second cake layer with the flat bottom side facing up for a flat top.

STEP 3: Smooth filling. Use an icing spatula to smooth out the filling around the edge of the cake. Fill in any gaps and make sure there is only a light layer of filling on the outside.

STEP 4: Freeze. Place the whole cake in the freezer for 10 minutes.

STEP 5: Heat ganache. While the cake is freezing, add the heavy cream to a small saucepan. Heat it over medium-low heat on the stove until it begins steaming. Then, place the chocolate chips in a bowl and pour the steaming cream over them. Let this sit for 2 minutes.

STEP 6: Mix ganache. Mix the ganache together with a rubber spatula. Make sure it is smooth with all of the chocolate melted in.

STEP 7: Pour ganache. Place the cake on a wire rack over a baking sheet to catch the ganache drips. Then, pour the ganache over the cake making sure to coat the entire cake.

STEP 8: Chill. Place the cake in the freezer to let the cake cool for 10 minutes before serving it.

Optional: Decorate the cake with the classic Hostess swirl.

Expert Baking Tips

• Properly measure the flour- Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup directly into the flour, it will compact the flour. Compacted flour can cause the cake to be dry.
• To easily remove the cake from the pan, make sure to first spray the pan with baking nonstick spray. Missing a spot can lead to the cake sticking to the pan.
• For high altitude baking add 2 tablespoon of flour to the cake batter.
• When adding the cream layer use an offset spatula to spread it in an even layer.
• For a cleaner cut use a sharp knife and clean it off between cuts.

FAQ

Recipe Variations

• You can make this into a three layer cake.
• To save time you can skip the swirl on top of the cake.

Storing and Freezing

Store this Ding Dong cake in an airtight container like a cake carrier. Store in the fridge up to 5 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the Ding Dong cake in individual slices. Place the cake slices in an airtight container and freeze up to 30 days.

Other Chocolate Layered Cake Recipes To Try

Try These Chocolate Cakes

• Triple chocolate cake
• Mint chocolate chip cake
• Blueberry chocolate cake
• Chocolate ganache cake
• Oreo cake

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe