{"id":2335,"date":"2026-02-26T17:01:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/?p=2335"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:01:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:01:28","slug":"ding-dong-cake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/?p=2335","title":{"rendered":"Ding Dong Cake"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>\u00a0Ding Dong Cake (Homemade Chocolate Snack Cake)<\/h1>\n<h3>Rich, Nostalgic &amp; Completely Irresistible<\/h3>\n<p>If you grew up loving the classic chocolate snack cakes from Hostess, then this homemade <strong>Ding Dong Cake<\/strong> will instantly take you back in time \u2014 but even better. This version is richer, more decadent, and made entirely from scratch.<\/p>\n<p>It features:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Deep, moist chocolate cake layers<\/li>\n<li>A fluffy marshmallow-style cream filling<\/li>\n<li>A silky, glossy chocolate ganache coating<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s the perfect celebration cake, potluck dessert, or nostalgic weekend baking project.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Ingredients<\/h1>\n<h2>For the Chocolate Cake<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>1\u00be cups (220g) all-purpose flour<\/li>\n<li>\u00be cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder<\/li>\n<li>2 cups (400g) granulated sugar<\/li>\n<li>1\u00bd teaspoons baking powder<\/li>\n<li>1\u00bd teaspoons baking soda<\/li>\n<li>1 teaspoon salt<\/li>\n<li>2 large eggs (room temperature)<\/li>\n<li>1 cup (240ml) whole milk<\/li>\n<li>\u00bd cup (120ml) vegetable oil<\/li>\n<li>2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract<\/li>\n<li>1 cup (240ml) hot brewed coffee (or hot water)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Why coffee?<\/em> It enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.<\/p>\n<h2>For the Cream Filling<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened<\/li>\n<li>2 cups (240g) powdered sugar<\/li>\n<li>1 jar (7 oz \/ 200g) marshmallow fluff<\/li>\n<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract<\/li>\n<li>Pinch of salt<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This filling mimics the classic cream center found in snack cakes \u2014 light, fluffy, and not overly sweet.<\/p>\n<h2>For the Chocolate Ganache<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>1 cup (240ml) heavy cream<\/li>\n<li>7 oz (200g) dark chocolate, finely chopped<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For best results, use good-quality chocolate (60\u201370% cocoa).<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Step-by-Step Instructions<\/h1>\n<h2>Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C).<\/li>\n<li>Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.<\/li>\n<li>Line bottoms with parchment paper.<\/li>\n<li>Lightly dust with cocoa powder (not flour \u2014 this prevents white marks).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Step 2: Make the Chocolate Cake Batter<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>In a large bowl, whisk together:\n<ul>\n<li>Flour<\/li>\n<li>Cocoa powder<\/li>\n<li>Sugar<\/li>\n<li>Baking powder<\/li>\n<li>Baking soda<\/li>\n<li>Salt<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Add:\n<ul>\n<li>Eggs<\/li>\n<li>Milk<\/li>\n<li>Oil<\/li>\n<li>Vanilla<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth.<\/li>\n<li>Slowly pour in the hot coffee while mixing on low speed.<br \/>\nThe batter will be thin \u2014 this is completely normal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Step 3: Bake<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Divide batter evenly between pans.<\/li>\n<li>Bake for 30\u201335 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.<\/li>\n<li>Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before assembling.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Important:<\/strong> Do not frost a warm cake \u2014 the filling will melt.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Make the Cream Filling<\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li>Beat softened butter for 3\u20134 minutes until pale and fluffy.<\/li>\n<li>Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.<\/li>\n<li>Add marshmallow fluff, vanilla, and salt.<\/li>\n<li>Beat another 2\u20133 minutes until light and airy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The texture should be fluffy but stable enough to spread thickly.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Assemble the Cake<\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li>Place one cake layer on a serving plate.<\/li>\n<li>Spread all the cream filling evenly on top (it will be thick).<\/li>\n<li>Place second cake layer on top.<\/li>\n<li>Press gently to level.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For cleaner edges, refrigerate for 20\u201330 minutes before adding ganache.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Make the Ganache<\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li>Heat heavy cream in a saucepan just until it begins to simmer (do not boil).<\/li>\n<li>Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate in a bowl.<\/li>\n<li>Let sit for 2 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Stir slowly from the center outward until smooth and glossy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If ganache seems too thin, let it cool slightly before pouring.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Finish the Cake<\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li>Pour ganache over the center of the cake.<\/li>\n<li>Use a spatula to gently push it toward the edges so it drips naturally.<\/li>\n<li>Refrigerate for 30\u201360 minutes until set.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The result? A shiny, bakery-style chocolate finish.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Expert Tips for the Best Ding Dong Cake<\/h1>\n<p>Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter.<br \/>\nDon\u2019t overbake \u2014 moist cake is key.<br \/>\nChill before slicing for clean layers.<br \/>\nFor extra nostalgia, decorate with a white swirl on top.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Storage Instructions<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Refrigerate up to 4 days in an airtight container.<\/li>\n<li>Let sit at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.<\/li>\n<li>Can be frozen (without ganache) up to 2 months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>\u00a0Variations<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Mini Ding Dong Cakes:<\/strong><br \/>\nBake in cupcake pans and fill centers with cream.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Extra Chocolate Version:<\/strong><br \/>\nAdd chocolate chips to batter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Whipped Cream Filling:<\/strong><br \/>\nSubstitute half the butter with stabilized whipped cream for a lighter texture.<\/p>\n<h1>\u00a0Why You\u2019ll Love This Cake<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Deep, rich chocolate flavor<\/li>\n<li>Light, fluffy center<\/li>\n<li>Smooth, glossy topping<\/li>\n<li>Tastes like a gourmet version of the classic Hostess treat<\/li>\n<li>Perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or chocolate cravings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0Ding Dong Cake (Homemade Chocolate Snack Cake) Rich, Nostalgic &amp; Completely Irresistible If you grew up loving the classic chocolate&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-recipes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2335"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2337,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335\/revisions\/2337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food.ukbiddingdirectory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}