The Giant Version of a Classic Childhood Snack: Ding Dong Cake

This ding dong cake is like a giant version of the sweet snack cake! It's made with rich chocolate cake layered with a creamy filling and a chocolate ganache topping.
Recipe: sugarspunrun.com/ding-dong-cake/
Ingredients
Filling Base
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
5 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (40g)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk (236ml)
Cake
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (205g)
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed (200g)
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
¾ cup natural cocoa powder (75g)
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, melted (113g)
½ cup neutral cooking oil (118ml) (canola, vegetable, or avocado oil)
2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk, room temperature preferred
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature preferred (236ml)
½ cup hot coffee (118ml)
Filling
1 filling base (from above)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g)
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (see note)
Ganache frosting
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate (226g)
1 cup heavy whipping cream (236ml)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from the links below.
8” cake pans (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3ghsWEW
Mixing bowls (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/2C47vQx
Medium saucepan (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/31UNJBy
Cake leveler (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3MltzrT
Instructions
See recipe link for full instructions.
Notes
Vanilla extract
I like to use clear vanilla in the filling because it keeps the filling pure white. It also lends itself to a slightly more authentic ding-dong flavor (which I suppose is artificial). You can absolutely substitute classic, real vanilla extract instead.
Storing
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The filling is soft, if left in a warm environment for too long it could start to melt and the layers could slide.
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[@fatimafrederick2042]

8 in the morning checking my cabinets to see if I have everything to make this now. 😂❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

🤣 I hope you love it! :)

[@gloriasanchez4352]

It’s a favorite of mine ❤. I’d ordered one similar years ago for my birthday. Now I can use your recipe. Thank you.

[@nannettemckechnie9405]

​@@SugarSpunRunyou iî😮o😮

[@Omer.gaming123]

😅

[@Kelinp]

Same…. As I’m going to Walmart later …. I just need a few items !!!

[@candycec908]

I can tell already, even before making your "Ding-Dong" cake. It will be far better than the "original" version. Looks delicious!

[@RealBigBadJohn]

I don't make cakes or pies, but I'd pay top money for one of these already baked. ⬆

[@lindamachado5687]

Omg! Made this cake today, and it is delicious! Followed the recipe exactly. It was time-consuming, but totally worth it! I’ll definitely be making this again.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much! :)

[@lllowkee6533]

THE only thing I've come up with for the TIME CONSUMING part of making home made is to measure the day before and prepare the pans as well. At my age, it all gets overwhelming, cleaning up and putting things away..

[@lindamachado5687]

@@lllowkee6533Yes, I kind of did that earlier this week when I made it again. I made the cake the night before, wrapped it tightly in plastic wrap after cooling, put it in the fridge, and did the rest the next day. It worked much better for me, not only time wise, but the filling and ganache were easier to apply, since the cake was cold from the fridge. Took it to work and everyone loved it.

[@aaronford1384]

This cake is so absolutely amazing! I’ve made it once a few weeks back and today I’m making one for my wife to take to work for Valentines Day tomorrow! Definitely a once a month cake, I think! It’s fabulous! Moist! So full of flavor. I just can’t say enough about how delicious it is! ❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

I'm so glad you are enjoying it so much! :)

[@lllowkee6533]

This flour frosting was almost the same as the original white frosting recipe I was given with the first RED VELVET RECIPE in in 1965.! When I showed it to my mother she said her oldest sister used to make similar flour icing in the 1930 s , it was the only ingredients they had. Sugar, flour, butter. They didn’t even have cocoa until after WW II. Enjoyed watching this show. ! Thanks .

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and sharing your story. It's always interesting to hear these kinds of things. I couldn't even imagine how it would be to only have sugar, flour, and butter. It's crazy! :)

[@lllowkee6533]

We're so lucky , so far!!?? My family had molasses and honey during War II when sugar was rationed and scarce, esp in the Appalachian mountains .Mother said they were NEVER hungry as many were..bc they grew everything. @@SugarSpunRun

[@christinemazur7795]

I have read many times that ermine frosting was the OG with red velvet cake. Not sure when cream cheese frosting came to crash the party, but boy, she sure became popular with red velvet. On the rare occasion I make red velvet, I too go with the OG ermine frosting.

[@tamicox990]

Same

[@dianehelensarno2060]

I grew up calling them Ring Dings…ugh loved them

[@gogo81k]

Me too!

[@princessalways4eva]

There are both Ring Dings and Ding Dongs…2 different manufacturers. I’ve eaten them both.😊

[@jeannet7443]

I can't imagine anyone not liking this! Chocolate, ermine frosting filling, ganache topping, what's not to love?

[@deborahvrtis4428]

You sold me! I love how you scrap the bowls, explain why you want, for example, room temp eggs, & you still keep it real! Looks delicious & I will try making this! Thank you from a new subscriber ;)

[@cynthiaamitrano8915]

I make this ermine frosting for my salted peanut cake. Oddly enough, the recipe calls for almond flavoring in the frosting. Together with the peanut flavor of the cake, it’s a little slice of heaven. One of my most favorite cakes ever. Another is Kentucky Butter Cake.

[@jjh5374]

New to your channel, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your style. Very clear, you explain what to know and do for each step and one can also clearly follow along visually. Thanks for this video!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much for the kind words, so happy to have you here! ☺️

[@susanhammitt7080]

I am sure this will be amazing. My favorite frosting has always been ermine frosting. I like the texture when chilled and that it seems less sweet to me. Can't wait to give this a try.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@MelissaJones-lj5de]

Mercy Sakes Alive girl! That cake looks amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us 😊

[@user-22-]

You’ve basically made my *favorite* cake for *everything!* (minus the ganache.. I want all buttercream!!) Even the buttercream is basically how I’ve made mine for many decades now. Love*Love*Love it too❣️

[@LovesDachshunds-vp4gf]

Thank you for this "Ding-Dong" delicious recipe that I can't wait to try! Thanks for all you do for this channel!

[@penneyburgess5431]

Knowing I can have the ding-dong experience without the preservatives mucking the taste up sounds heavenly. Definitely going to try. Thank you!❤

[@ashleyk6041]

YES! Found the perfect cake to make my guy for his birthday - you rock! Thank you!!! 💕💕💕

[@ruthallen1159]

I don’t eat them anymore, but ding dongs were always my favorite. I may have to make this “just to see if it tastes the same” 😅

[@lllowkee6533]

This cake doesn't have all the additives and chemicals as real DING DONGS . Those things last for 20 years!!!!!!

[@jenniferaddison3829]

Or as my 4 yr old used to call Ding Dong’s when he couldn’t’ remember the name, and it’s stuck since, Circle Weenies. That’s my boy! He’s 21 now and it’s just too good to pass up, lol.

[@adeleferguson663]

Sam, you are the cutest! When I was a kid, those lil chocolate cakes were called Ring Dings. This cake looks delicious and I’ll be sure to try my best to bake one for my spouses birthday. Boy will he be surprised! (assuming it comes out good). Feel free to make a Twinkie cake next. I’ll be looking forward to that.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope he loves it! :)

[@user-22-]

They were wrapped in *foil* too❣️

[@lisaanderson135]

A Twinkie cake sounds amazing, and something that my husband would love!

[@user-dh3xc9fs5b]

That cake looks absolutely delicious and equally important you did a superb job explaining each step in making it.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! I hope you love it. 😊

[@tww15tube]

I am absolutely making this cake this weekend!! Thanks Sam!! You're the best!!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! I hope you love it! :)

[@stacym735]

I've made this for my daughter's birthday. It was heavenly!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it! :)

[@alliw1276]

This looks like a perfect giant size of one of my favorite treats! Also it’s wonderful to see someone besides me using parchment paper instead of plastic wrap on top of a filling, custard, etc. Anywhere we can cut down on 1 time use plastic is great. Thank you for this and an amazing recipe!!❤️❤️

[@lllowkee6533]

She said it was WAX PAPER , not parchment. ?? Because , don’t bake biscuits on WAX PAPER, I mistakenly did that one morning when my grown children had come home for Christmas and asked for biscuits. The wax melted into the biscuits!😢😵

[@alliw1276]

Yes I did hear her say wax paper but I'm hoping she meant parchment. 😊 Like you I used wax paper because the recipe said to. This was in the mid 1980's. It was a recipe for the sponge for a pumpkin roll. I never liked the results and was so happy to discover parchment paper! 😄

[@lllowkee6533]

@@alliw1276 I put almost everything on parchment paper. I line broiler pan with aluminum foil, then parchment to roast chicken or bacon or anything.... Thankfully, it isn't hard to find any longer.!!! BUT , we may get out of everything now if the wars get worse or we dont get a new president!

[@alliw1276]

Oh my goodness. Parchment paper and this video are all I will comment on. She put out a lovely video and recipe for everyone to enjoy.

[@lllowkee6533]

I posted THREE comments and in one of them I noted how much I ENJOYED THIS VIDEO ....but THANKS for stopping by to shame me! The discussion started bc she said WAX PAPER in the delightful video so I'm still not sure if she meant wax or parchment..... which are NOT the same thing ?! @@alliw1276

[@christinebrown9343]

I'm going to make this one for Christmas , I can't wait to make it , you make the most tasting dessert Yum and I have made so many of them

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! I hope you love it! :)

[@terib4975]

I love all your explanations, thank you for always being so thorough. 😊😊💕💕

[@helenbulthouse3540]

I need to make this for Thanksgiving! It looks delicious!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@jodistaton392]

Ok, I don’t remember how many holidays you said you were going to make this cake for, but I think I’m going to add on a few more!!! I can’t wait to make this cake!!! Thank you so much for this recipe!!! Have a great weekend!!!!!!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

This is definitely a great option! Have a great weekend! :)

[@carolnearson7932]

I’m from back east, NYC area. We had Drake’s cakes, and this snack was called a Ring Ding. There was a no-icing version called Yankee Doodle, my personal favorite. The rolled up version (Swiss cake) was a Yodel.

[@michaelgomez3044]

Ring Dings were better. I have only found them in one store where I live.

[@rosaliejenkins7223]

I made this today, mostly because I wanted to taste the filling, so I used a box devil’s food cake as a shortcut. It was fantastic! Ganache was really good, but the filling really took it over the top. Next time I’ll make it as cupcakes and inject the filling inside.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I bet it would be wonderful as cupcakes, too! Yum!

[@diananoonen2262]

Excellent instructions. Thank you!

[@beverlyhess611]

This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it!

[@peggybfun]

That looks amazing and I LOVE ding dongs!!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it!!

[@madelinemefarekaorovea1853]

Love it! Must try!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Enjoy! :)

[@AZCanner]

If the cake comes out of the oven too dry, sprinkle the cake layers with a light syrup. That gets a delicious moist cake. I'm such a chocolate lover, I would add one recipe of gnache on the cake, chill, then add a 2nd gnache and chill again. Ding Dongs don't have enough gnache.

[@licox2000]

I plan on making this. Yum!! Thank you.

[@1-daydecorating8]

That looks so good! Thanks for all the little tips too.Delightful watching you.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@mariadiantherese9663]

Hey Mrs. Ding Dong!! Lol. This is my go to cake baking channel!! Loved this one, can't wait to try it!

[@SugarSpunRun]

🤣 Thank you so much! I hope you love it! :)

[@brendamccomas7882]

Looks scrumptious!

[@dianejohanson98]

Looks really good! I always add coffee to my chocolate cakes. It enhances the chocolate flavor really well.

[@pendizzy6352]

when i saw them at the store here in Canada they are called King Dons

[@cydkriletich6538]

Excellent instructions! That cake looks fabulous. Thanks for the recipe!

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! Enjoy! :)

[@Amy-fq3dm]

Excellent video! Thanks for the clear and fun instructions.

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! Enjoy! :)

[@megan_sea3]

Ding dongs were and still are my favorite! Love this idea of a cake form!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@stephensieg9976]

You are a very good teacher you don’t drag on and on easy to follow. I will try looks tasty

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thanks so much 😊

[@stephensieg9976]

I made today came out perfect

[@dianeshea4192]

I'm a Ding Dong fanatic. This is my go-to cake.

[@kentuckyrain2223]

Awesom cake

[@katherineanderson3961]

Just lovely! Thx a bunch!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Enjoy! :)

[@vickiraub360]

Your Ding Dong cake looks absolutely delicious!!! Trying to think of a reason to make it, so I can give it a taste myself😄 Maybe we'll have to have Ding Dong cake and pumkin pie for dessert for Thanksgiving!

[@SugarSpunRun]

That sounds like a great idea to me! :)

[@loripiechocki1518]

That looks amazing. Definitely on my baking list~ Thank you!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@davidbendall7919]

The classic DingDong in the foil wrapper is my favorite snack. In my sixty-plus years no other commercial snack has even gotten close to that perfect combination of ingredients. I would steal an entire box from my parent's store, go to the shed covering the air intake and eat all 12. However, tossing the foil on the ground revealed my secret. Zillions of shiny silver balls littered my hideaway and dad moved them to the top top shelf of the double licked walk-in meat locker. This recipe is somewhat in the ballpark. If you're wanting the recipe to be exact, then don't bother. When The Closer was on TV, I discovered the DingDongs were real, not props. Hostess refused to sell any of their supply. Yet, three months later I got a box. I promised never to tell how I obtained them. I put them in the freezer, made some of my special milk, gave 3 to family and devoured everything. They were wonderful. Even though some media outlets reported that they were not real, they were a limited number of boxes made. Hostess denied their existence because so many people called but the foil was a choking hazard and insurance would not cover them. Hostess denied their existence to stop the requests.

[@pclem4686]

Oh my goodness a ding dong cake amazing Ooh no wonder why it's 20 minutes for that cake

[@user-wi4ho2uh9g]

It looks delicious, I can't wait to make it and taste it!! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! I hope you love it! :)

[@luxaeterna9383]

Ermine frosting is my favorite! This looks delicious.

[@greenhealer7136]

I will be making this for Xmas looks fantastic

[@francesmorgan6397]

I will b making this it sounds delicious

[@ljc3484]

Thank you for providing the link to the recipe

[@SugarSpunRun]

My pleasure 😊

[@Cre8tiveOne66]

Thanks Sugar Spun! I'm supposed to cut back on sweets. After watching this; so much for that idea! That cake looks DELICIOUS!!!

[@HarrietSchneider-rv9kd]

Thank you for sharing your Ding-Dong cake recipe 🤗 I super love deep dark chocolate cakes. I would like to suggest that you use a damp towel on your countertop, and place your mixing bowl on top, so that when your mixing your ingredients, your bowl won’t be slipping and sliding on your counter. Also if you place two pieces of parchment paper across your cake stand, then put your cake on top of the parchment paper. Then go ahead and put the icing on your cake. When you’re done just pull the two pieces of parchment paper out from underneath the cake. Your cake pan should be nice and icing free.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you for the tips. :)

[@MunirAhmed-ln3nt]

Looking yummy

[@donaldhooper3064]

I have made this cake 2 or 3 times. Everyone raved about it. Sooooooooo delicious. Don H Ocala Fl

[@mary080121]

Made it for work and everyone LOVED it ❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 😊

[@movinngroovin2104]

Love that filling.

[@wendynicholls6231]

This is so tasty looking I’m gonna try this xx

[@richardbitte1176]

Awesome!!!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thanks!!

[@teresaevans6761]

That looks amazing

[@cherokeeheartct8633]

That smirg piano

[@maureentuohy8672]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I MUST HAVE THIS! A dream come true. 😅

[@jacquelineduque8025]

Oh my gosh I’m drooling ughhh

[@annmoreira1363]

Now I need to make this Thank you for always sharing great recipes

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@tarnishedknight730]

A couple of tips: 1. Set your prepared cake pan under your dripping beater blades to catch the drips. (It's cake batter and it's going to end up there anyway.) Once you have filled your cake pans, use the bowl that you mixed the cake batter in, to catch the drips. 2. A long serrated knife (like a 12" bread knife) set on top of several craft sticks (tongue depressors) laid side-by-side and taped together with cello tape, will cut a cake layer level. Just stack the tongue depressors to the height you want, make two of them the same height, steady the knife on top of the two stacks and cut away. Cello tape is thin and won't tend to catch your knife like masking or painter's tape can. You can add or subtract sticks to change the height.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Great tips! I love the cake leveling idea! :)

[@hoosiergirl1]

I'm drooling!

[@emiplus2530]

That cake looks delicious, I'll dare to make it 👌✨

[@lovesweetlove1993]

I am so relieved you didnt use sweetened shortening ❤

[@sharonjarmon6269]

This is amazing, my grandkids are got to love this so much. Thanks you so much for the recipe. God bless

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! Enjoy! :)

[@bichvanle722]

Great video 👍 thank you for sharing wish you a lot of health and energetic new day 🥰🥰🥰

[@carlatoppins8567]

My an amazing old-time favorite. You made this look effortless. I'm an aspiring Baker (my niche) and can't wait to try it. If it is a fraction as good as it looks then I'm in for a real treat. Thnx 4 sharing. Sugar Spun.👍🏾😉💜🍰

[@classyandco19381]

OMG😍😍😍 how yummy!! I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing, blessings.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! I hope you love it! :)

[@athenais508]

This looks SO good and I like how you go through each step--I made ermine frosting for a Detroit Bumpy Cake--delish!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@SavoryExperimentsCooking]

I need this in my life!

[@SugarSpunRun]

It's so good! :)

[@firetopman]

What a simply great idea.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@sandrawhiting9053]

That looks so yummy!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@Rareprogeny]

I also made a Ding Dong Cake! Followed your recipe on Wednesday and we cut into it last night. Truly a superb dessert. The cake is fudgy and decadent - mmm. And the filling blew me away. Making it was a first for me although I make a lot of thick sauces, etc., for other foods. It is so light and smooth like whipped cream. Fantastic. So much better than an actual Ding Dong. Your instructions are terrific. I watched the video through a couple of times then paused/started while I followed along in the kitchen. It was fun! And after a day of work very therapeutic. The Grinch Cookies are on my list. I'm envious of the fresh eggs!😎

[@SugarSpunRun]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! It’s a really tasty cake. 😊

[@carilynjurgeson6178]

I've been making a giant Ding Dong cake for many years now and people like it so much they place orders for it. It is cool to see a version of it surface on KZbin. Thanks for sharing!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

That's pretty cool! It's a delicious cake! :)

[@mmakomanyatja5213]

Classic Sam my goodness very good many thanks God bless nd your family

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@joeslaughter-rw3nx]

It is sooo exciting to just try this cake. Thank you for this video.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@lisabolo26]

Wow, this is wild! Love it.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! Enjoy! :)

[@SteveNoblin]

Looks delicious! When I was growing up they were called Big Wheels until they were sued because of the name and later changing the name to Ding Dong

[@kathyrama4570]

I love Ermine Butter Cream on a red velvet cake, and on yellow cake. So tasty. I cannot wait to make this cake!!!!

[@francesrodriguez2639]

Looks yummy❤️❤️❤️

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! 😊😊

[@mariaangelarmstrong719]

Looks delicious yummy

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you 😋

[@edwardburton6687]

I used to eat Ding Dongs and Ho Ho’s all the time as a teenager. Looks delicious.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you!

[@MelCarter9]

It looks yummy

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you 😋

[@texasgigi3684]

Looks delish!!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@maryrusso8417]

Ding Dong Cake must be the Hostess version of Drake's Ring Dings Cake...plan on making this weekend-yum!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! 😊

[@chefSqueez]

Your instructions are so good, u have me thinking I can pull this off❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

You can do it!!! Good luck! :)

[@jeannesilveri9662]

I love Ding Dongs! I hope to make this soon! Maybe for Christmas. I love your presentation too❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! I hope you love it! :)

[@lindapb6529]

That filling looks great; fantastic the idea of ermine as the base - - creative!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thanks so much! Enjoy! :)

[@airchris6477]

I was so excited when you cut it! Such a success!

[@SugarSpunRun]

:) :) :)

[@kathleenwollesen3947]

Yummy 😋 I will definitely try making this at home.😊

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)