If you’re a chocolate lover with a nostalgic sweet tooth, chances are you’ve come across a certain iconic snack cake wrapped in foil—soft chocolate layers, a fluffy cream filling, and a rich, glossy chocolate glaze. Now, imagine that same delight, but bigger, fresher, and even more indulgent. Enter the Ding Dong Cake: a dessert that captures everything you loved about the original snack, but on a homemade, show-stopping scale.
Whether you’re looking to wow your guests, celebrate a birthday, or satisfy your most intense chocolate cravings, Ding Dong Cake is the perfect solution. In this post, we’ll explore what makes it so irresistible, how to make it from scratch, variations to try, and tips for storing and serving.
What Is a Ding Dong Cake?
At its core, a Ding Dong Cake is a layered chocolate cake filled with a creamy, marshmallow-like center and topped with a smooth, ganache-style chocolate glaze. It’s inspired by the Hostess Ding Dongs many of us grew up enjoying, but this version is more decadent, more customizable, and far more impressive when served at the dinner table.
A typical Ding Dong Cake includes:
- Moist chocolate cake layers
- Fluffy vanilla cream filling
- Rich chocolate ganache coating
The result? A perfectly balanced dessert with contrasting textures and an over-the-top chocolate flavor that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home.
Why You’ll Love Ding Dong Cake
Here are a few reasons why Ding Dong Cake continues to be a viral hit across kitchens and social media platforms:
- Nostalgic Flavor: Reminds you of childhood lunchboxes—but made for grown-up palates.
- Visually Stunning: Perfect for birthday parties, holidays, or any celebration.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike.
- Customizable: Easy to adjust the filling, flavor, or size to suit any preference.
This cake isn’t just dessert—it’s an experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make a classic Ding Dong Cake from scratch.
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee or hot water
For the Cream Filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup marshmallow crème (Fluff)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
How to Make Ding Dong Cake: Step-by-Step
1. Bake the Chocolate Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add in the wet ingredients: buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Slowly stir in the hot coffee or water. The batter will be thin—this is normal.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Let the cakes cool completely before assembling.
2. Prepare the Cream Filling
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy.
- Add in the marshmallow crème and mix until combined.
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Chill the filling slightly before spreading to make it easier to work with.
3. Make the Ganache
- Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering.
- Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
- Let sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and glossy.
4. Assemble the Ding Dong Cake
- Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand.
- Spread a thick layer of the cream filling evenly across the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top.
- Pour the ganache over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour to set the ganache.
Variations of Ding Dong Cake
You can personalize your Ding Dong Cake in many delicious ways:
- Peanut Butter Filling: Add 1/2 cup peanut butter to the cream for a nutty twist.
- Mint Chocolate Version: Add peppermint extract to the filling for a refreshing after-dinner flavor.
- Cupcake Style: Turn the recipe into cupcakes for individual servings—great for parties!
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
No matter how you customize it, the essence of Ding Dong Cake—rich, creamy, and chocolatey—always shines through.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce for extra decadence.
Storage:
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving.
- You can freeze slices of Ding Dong Cake (wrapped tightly) for up to 2 months.
Is Ding Dong Cake Difficult to Make?
Not at all! Despite its decadent appearance, Ding Dong Cake is surprisingly beginner-friendly. Most of the steps use basic baking techniques, and if you’re comfortable baking a simple cake, you’ll have no trouble here.
The key is to give each component—cake, filling, and ganache—enough time to cool and set. Take your time, and you’ll be rewarded with a bakery-worthy masterpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a cake mix?
Yes! If you’re short on time, using a boxed chocolate cake mix is a great shortcut. Just focus on making the filling and ganache from scratch to retain the homemade touch.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare Ding Dong Cake a day in advance and refrigerate it overnight. In fact, the flavors often improve as it chills.
Is this cake kid-friendly?
Yes, kids love it! The familiar flavors and fun presentation make Ding Dong Cake a hit at family gatherings and birthday parties.
Why Homemade Is Better
While store-bought snack cakes are convenient, there’s something uniquely satisfying about creating a Ding Dong Cake from scratch. You get to control the ingredients, customize the flavor, and enjoy it fresh without preservatives.
Plus, making it at home means you can go big—literally. No tiny snack-sized bites here. This is indulgence you can slice and share.
Final Thoughts
Ding Dong Cake is a show-stopping dessert that blends childhood nostalgia with grown-up indulgence. Moist chocolate layers, a sweet cream center, and glossy ganache topping—what’s not to love?
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a holiday, or just because, this cake is sure to impress. And once you’ve made it once, you’ll come back to this recipe again and again.
Don’t settle for the snack-size version when you can enjoy the full-sized, homemade experience. Make Ding Dong Cake part of your dessert repertoire and treat yourself to a truly unforgettable chocolate treat.