Ding Dong Cake is a decadent treat that is a recreation of the classic Ding Dong, a chocolate whoopie pie with a creamy filling. My cake version combines rich chocolate cake, a light and creamy filling, and a heavenly chocolate ganache to create a dessert that will leave you wanting more. Perfect for chocolate lovers and cake enthusiasts, this recipe is sure to be a hit. You will also love my Ding Dong Sheet Cake! Make sure to try my 50 Best Cake Recipes for even more dessert inspiration!

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Ding Dong Cake

Ingredients & Substitutions

Cake: The chocolate cake in this recipe is my Perfect Chocolate Cake. The batter is very runny and it is designed to be made in two 8-inch by 3-inch round cake pans. You could also use a boxed chocolate cake mix.

Coffee: Adding brewed hot coffee to the cake batter enhances the chocolate flavor of the cake. The cake will not have a coffee taste. If you don’t have coffee, you can substitute it with hot water.

Filling: The creamy filling is known as an Ermine frosting (also known as Roux frosting or boiled milk frosting). This frosting has a few extra steps compared to a traditional American buttercream, but the result is well worth it. Subtle and creamy, it is the PERFECT filling for this beyond-rich cake.

Ganache: To make the chocolate ganache, you can use either semi-sweet or milk chocolate. If you don’t have a chocolate bar, chocolate chips can be used as a substitute. I also have a Chocolate Ganache Made with Butter recipe you could use.

How to Make a Ding Dong Cake

How to Store Ding Dong Cake

First, place the cake in an airtight container to prevent air exposure and keep it fresh. This will help the cake last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Before serving, let the cake come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Ding Dong Cake Recipe

Can I Freeze Ding Dong Cake?

Yes, you can freeze Ding Dong Cake. To freeze the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container. (I prefer to cut and wrap the cake into individual pieces before freezing.) The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat the cake, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours or on the counter for a couple of hours, then bring it to room temperature before serving. Freezing the cake may affect the texture and taste, so it’s best to eat it as soon as possible for the best experience.

Ermine Frosting

More Chocolate Cakes

dong-ding-cake
4.77 from 265 votes

Ding Dong Cake

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Making this Dong Dong Cake was a recreation of my favorite childhood treat! Rich chocolate cake, creamy filling and a heavenly chocolate coating on the outside.

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 ¾ cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (90 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup (240 g) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (112 g) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons McCormick pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (237 g) freshly brewed hot coffee

Filling (Ermine Frosting)

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) butter
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla

Ganache

  • 16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 16 ounces (2 cups) heavy cream, room temperature

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 2, 8-inch x 3-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. (8-inch cake pans with shorter sides may cause an overflow in your oven.) Set aside.
  • To the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
  • With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With the mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick comes out mostly clean with no wet batter.
  • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 30 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a cooling rack to let them cool completely.

Filling

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk and flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for 3-5 minutes, or until no lumps remain and the mixture thickens and resembles a very thick pudding. It should coat the back of a spoon. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Stop the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Add the cooled milk mixture to the bowl of the stand mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy (2-3 minutes), pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Switch to the whisk attachment. Add vanilla and mix on high for 7-8 minutes, or until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Ganache

  • Place the chocolate into a heat-safe bowl. Set the bowl aside as you heat up the cream.
  • To a quart-sized, microwave-safe bowl, add the heavy cream. Microwave for 3-4 minutes on high, or until it just begins to simmer, being careful not to allow the cream to boil over.
  • Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate and let stand for at least 2 minutes so that it can thicken.
  • When ready to pour over the cooled cake, whisk the ganache until smooth and then pour. You may have some ganache left over.

Assembly

  • If needed, level the cakes. Then, place one cake round onto your work surface.
  • Spread the filling over the cake. Top with the second cake round.
  • Pour the ganache over the cake, including the sides. Let it set for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Reader Comments

  1. Help! I’m currently making the filling and after beating the butter and sugar for 10 minutes it’s still got a granular texture from the sugar.

    1. Hi Amanda! Great looking recipe! Do you think substituting one cup of hot chocolate would work instead of hot coffee? Thank you for your reply

  2. Hi I made this cake with no problems and everyone just loves it.Thank you for this reciepe.

  3. This was the best, I am a baker, and I really don’t like to bake cakes from scratch, but I followed this to the T and it was amazing and I will be making it again. Thanks for this recipe

  4. I made this cake twice. Each time a hit. Deliciously! The filling is like a mousse and just totally amazing cake. My son said that instead of his prefer red velvet cake this Ding Dong cake will take the place of the velvet
    . Thanks

  5. Just made this cake this morning. Followed recipe exactly and everything turned out beautiful. I have to wait until tonight to eat it, but I have sampled each layer. Individually, they are yummy. I can only anticipate what all of this yumminess together will taste like. Thanks for a great recipe!

  6. I had way too much ganache. It was hard to keep on the cake during the icing process…any tips? That being said, this is the all time best cake I’ve ever made!😊

  7. Two of my granddaughters and myself made this last week👍 It was great fun and turned out perfectly❤❤ Thank you so much for posting the recipe.

  8. The cake looks yummy and moist, but I did have trouble getting it out of the pan. Did you use parchment paper in your pans. I think I will next time.

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