Unforgettable Homemade Ding Dong Cake Recipe: Childhood Charm

Bakers everywhere swoon over this classic ding dong cake recipe that combines rich chocolate and creamy filling in one irresistible dessert.

Layers of moist chocolate cake melt in your mouth with decadent cream nestled between each slice.

The nostalgic treat brings back memories of childhood lunchbox surprises and sweet indulgences.

Every bite promises a perfect balance of smooth chocolate and silky cream filling that makes taste buds dance.

Chocolate lovers will find this dessert absolutely impossible to resist.

The simple yet elegant cake turns an ordinary afternoon into a delightful celebration of flavor.

Get ready to impress everyone with this showstopping chocolate sensation that’s sure to become a new favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours (including cooling)

Calories: 476 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into Making a Ding Dong Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake, providing structure and tender crumb with a smooth texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a moist, soft texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness and chocolate flavors.

• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess, moisture, and helps tenderize the cake crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a supremely moist cake with a tender texture.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the chocolate flavor profile.
• Hot Coffee: Intensifies the chocolate taste and creates a deeper, more complex cake texture.

• Milk, All-Purpose Flour: Create a unique, silky base for the Ermine frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers creamy richness and smooth texture to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Heavy Cream, Chocolate: Combine to create a luxurious, glossy ganache topping.

Tools You’ll Need for Homemade Ding Dong Cake

• Stand Mixer: Your best friend for mixing cake batter and whipping frosting with ease.
• 8-inch Round Cake Pans: Essential for creating perfect cake layers with tall sides.
• Wire Rack: Crucial for cooling cakes evenly after baking.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for making the smooth Ermine frosting base.
• Heat-safe Bowl: Needed for melting chocolate and preparing ganache.
• Microwave-safe Bowl: Useful for heating cream for ganache.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping bowl sides and spreading frosting.
• Toothpick: Necessary for checking cake doneness.
• Cake Stand or Plate: Ideal for assembling and presenting the finished cake.

How to Bake and Fill a Ding Dong Cake at Home

• Cake Preparation

Gather all necessary baking tools and ingredients. Ensure your kitchen workspace is clean and organized for smooth cake creation.

• Chocolate Base Creation

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly in a mixing bowl, creating a rich chocolate foundation. Combine wet ingredients separately, then gently fold together for a smooth, silky batter.

• Baking Process

Pour batter into prepared pans and bake until a gentle touch reveals a perfectly cooked cake. Allow layers to cool completely before moving forward.

• Creamy Interior Filling

Craft a luxurious buttercream-style frosting by carefully cooking milk and flour, then whipping with butter until impossibly light and fluffy. This creates a dreamy, cloud-like filling.

• Chocolate Drizzle

Melt chocolate and cream together to create a glossy, rich ganache. The key is patience – allow ingredients to meld smoothly and gently.

• Cake Assembly

Layer the cake with delicate precision. Spread the creamy filling between cake layers, then drench the entire creation in warm chocolate ganache. Let the chocolate cascade beautifully down the sides.

• Serving Suggestion

Allow the cake to rest and set for maximum flavor integration. Slice carefully and serve at room temperature for the most decadent experience.

Tips to Improve the Texture of Ding Dong Cake

• Replace hot coffee with dark espresso or strong brewed tea for deeper chocolate intensity and enhanced flavor complexity.
• Transform the classic Ermine frosting by adding mint extract, raspberry puree, or orange zest to create unique flavor profiles that complement the rich chocolate base.
• Wrap the cooled cake layers in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days before assembling, which helps stabilize the cake and makes preparation more convenient.
• Enhance the cake's appearance by sprinkling crushed chocolate cookies, toasted nuts, or edible gold dust on top of the ganache for a stunning visual and textural contrast.

Ding Dong Cake Serving Ideas That Wow

• Sweet Celebration Centerpiece: Perfect for birthday parties, this decadent cake steals the spotlight at any gathering with its rich chocolate layers and glossy ganache.
• Elegant Dessert Companion: Pair this luxurious cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to enhance its indulgent chocolate flavor.
• Coffee Shop Twist: Serve alongside a hot espresso or cappuccino to complement the cake's deep chocolate notes and create a sophisticated dessert experience that feels like a gourmet cafe treat.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and the ganache to set perfectly for a stress-free entertaining option.

How to Store Leftover Ding Dong Cake

• Smart Cake Storage Solutions: Cool room temperature zones help maintain cake freshness for 2-3 days when covered with a cake dome or tight plastic wrap.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Seal the cake in an airtight container, which extends its quality for up to 5 days. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving to restore ideal texture and flavor.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake slices or entire cake in multiple layers of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen cakes stay delicious for 1-2 months when properly sealed.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and frosting separately up to 2 days in advance. Store layers wrapped at room temperature and refrigerate frosting. Assemble just before serving for maximum taste and texture quality.

Luscious Ding Dong Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours (including cooling)
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet Ding Dong Cake combines chocolate and cream in a nostalgic dessert inspired by classic American snack cakes. Generous layers of moist chocolate cake and creamy filling invite memories of childhood treats you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (90 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup (240 g) buttermilk, room temperature
• ½ cup (112 g) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (237 g) freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup whole milk
• 5 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 oz (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 12 oz (355 ml) heavy cream, room temperature

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Instructions

1. Cake Base Preparation: Thoroughly blend dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, leavening agents, salt) in mixer bowl until uniformly combined.
2. Liquid Integration: Whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla together until smoothly incorporated, then gently fold into dry mixture at low speed.
3. Batter Refinement: Delicately introduce hot coffee to batter, mixing minimally to maintain airy texture, then pour evenly into two greased cake pans.
4. Baking Process: Roast in preheated oven at 350°F for 35 minutes, verifying doneness with toothpick test revealing minimal moist crumbs.
5. Cooling Technique: Rest cakes in pans for 30 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack for complete temperature equilibration.
6. Ermine Frosting Creation: Construct frosting by cooking milk and flour until thickened to pudding consistency, then cool completely.
7. Frosting Finalization: Whip butter and sugar until light, gradually blend cooled milk mixture, then incorporate vanilla at high speed for ultimate smoothness.
8. Ganache Preparation: Heat cream until barely simmering, pour over chopped chocolate, rest briefly, then whisk to silky perfection.
9. Cake Assembly: Level cake layers if needed, position first layer on serving platform, spread ermine frosting generously, and crown with second layer.
10. Final Decoration: Gracefully cascade chocolate ganache over entire cake, allowing natural drips for artistic presentation, then let set before serving.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for consistent cake texture and prevent dense or dry results.
• Temperature Control: Ensure ingredients are room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake rise.
• Avoid Overmixing: Blend batter gently to maintain light, tender crumb and prevent tough cake texture.
• Cooling Technique: Let cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 476
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 215 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg