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!
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 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.
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.
More Chocolate Cakes
Ding Dong Cake
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
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 12 ounces 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.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
I’ve made this cake many times as it’s my Mom’s FAVORITE cake of all time that I make for her. Every birthday she requests it & doesn’t share it either😭-she’ll freeze it and take a piece out here and there LOL Since it’s Mom’s 72nd birthday tomorrow I’m needing to get started on making it as we speak.
Thanks Amanda for this gem!!
That is so sweet!!! <3
Love love love this cake. It is a show stopper that everyone loves. I enjoy baking so it is fun to make !!!
I give this a 3 for a couple of reasons. Nothing more disappointing than being unable to just pop the cake out of the pan. I very rarely just spray Pam. I recommend the stick and wipe out any excess. Also the ratio of gauche to what can be put on the cake along with the thickness or lack of is a lot. Unfortunately i also used what the recipe called for, 16 oz. And would have been thinner i think with less chocolate? Pluses great flavor of the cake and the white filling.
I don’t think it is fair to rate a recipe on how well it is removed from a pan. I have ZERO control over that. What kind of pans did you use? Were they dark or light? What kind of spray? Was it oil based or for baking? Does your oven run hot? Were the cakes overbaked?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of chocolate, not 16 ounces.
I’ll remove your recipe rating as what you left doesn’t match what you wrote.
Lori are you seriously rating a recipe because you don’t know how to get cakes out of their pans! What a ridiculous review!
I absolutely love this recipe! I’ve been able to make it gluten free as well without a problem. This year I’m using my Italian flour since I’ve found it doest upset me as much as American flours. Looking forward to Hannon this for my birthday tomorrow. I make it every year since I discovered it. Thank you so much!
Has anyone tried it by making cupcakes
Yes all the time. Made normal size and mini. They transport easier but are much more dangerous. 😁
Everyone enjoyed this cake. I made a 6″ cake and a small sheet cake that I cut into small circles to make standard size ding dongs. Very good, easy to follow directions. I did use hot water instead of coffee.
My daughter made this for my birthday, my request. It was absolutely amazing! I especially loved the filling! Everyone loved it! Now she makes it for me every year!
I made this for my birthday today. I’ve been baking for decades and this is one of the best cakes I’ve made! I made it gluten free and half monk fruit sweetener half sugar. It is not overly sweet or rich it’s the perfect balance! I did use 9” pans and I’m glad I did. The only 8” pans I have are 1.5” sides. Thank you for a great recipe!
What can I use as a substitute for sugar ?
This is the best cake eeeeevvvvvveeeerrrr!!!!
Delicious cake and fun, did make a big mess with the ganache, maybe I should have let it cool longer, next time 😃