Foodiva's Kitchen: Nutella Ding Dong Cake

Monday, November 14, 2011

Nutella Ding Dong Cake


A Ding Dong Cake - now doesn't that name just fire up the imagination? When I was assigned the blog Sweet Flours for this month's Secret Recipe Club, I found out that the blog author Allison and I have one thing in common - a big sweet tooth. Her blog features plenty of baked goodies which makes it a dream site for me. She actually baked this cake for her great grandmother's 91st birthday, and another time once before for her 89th birthday. I took my cue from great grandma, that lady sounds like she has quite a discerning taste in her choice of birthday cakes :).


At first I hadn't a clue why the cake was named so, but after a bit of googling discovered that Ding Dong cakes are those little chocolate-covered cakes with with a white creamy filling sold by Hostess Brand. The ones I so obviously had never eaten while growing up. While Allison had made a regular cake-sized version of Ding Dongs, I decided to make the original puck-sized ones because sometimes eating minicakes makes things a bit easier on the conscience. And a lot easier for me to fit into my skinny Levi's too, not that they're not already made of stretch denim, but still...


The recipe for this cake originally came from Smitten Kitchen, but the adapted recipe can be found here on Sweet Flours. The process of making the minicakes was slightly fiddly, but nothing that I hadn't already done in my kitchen many times. The coffee-chocolate cake batter was straightforward enough, however the marshmallow filling needed a fair amount of whisking in a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water, a bit like making swiss meringue buttercream frosting but without the butter. 

In an original Ding Dong (I just love saying that!), the entire chocolate cake is coated with a thin layer of chocolate glaze but Allison had coated her birthday cake with chocolate ganache, all glistening on the top and sides. I was a bit short for time on this occasion so my topping was simply warmed up Nutella (30 seconds in the microwave) that I spread with a knife and let drizzle a bit down the sides. Did I just say simply Nutella? Of course, that wasn't the case at all because you and I know that Nutella is King and in actual fact stole the show!
    
This will be my last participation in the Secret Recipe Club. It has been really fun discovering many new blogs and cooking from my assigned ones, however I feel it's time to get back to doing my "own thing". Creating recipes that come from my own heart and imagination and make me truly fulfilled, you know. I'm on a quest to get my old ding dong back! :-)



45 comments:

amanda @ fake ginger said...

Oh. My. Goodness. These have got to be the best looking cakes I've ever seen! I wish I had one in front of me right now!

Michael said...

Oh heaven help me. Those look delish. Love the nutella substitution. Mmmm

Erin said...

Oh my heck! Yum!!!!

Melissa | Dash of east said...

These are the most adorable, delicious looking cakes! And I don't even have that big of a sweet tooth!

And the Nutella substitution - brilliant - I can only imagine how yummy these cakes were :)

BigFatBaker said...

Oh my! How dare you post pictures of this deliciousness and not share?! These look fabulous! Definitely bookmarking.
Great SRC post!

TinaRBK said...

Hurrah, I remember that you wished for a case of nutella-looks like it has arrived! These little cakes are nothing but a heavenly creation. Who wouldn't adore this flavor combination-well done!

Unknown said...

Your ding-dongs look amazing. I'm sure they could pass for something much more sophisticated in a four-star restaurant.

Good luck in your new adventures. We'll miss you at SRC, but I'll follow your news feed.

Tasty Trix said...

Oh my gosh, I remember ding dongs from my childhood! So funny ... my mom would pack them in my lunchbox. These look much better, and for someone without much of a sweet tooth they actually awaken a deep craving in me! What have you done!!! I am sure you will have your ding dong back in no time ; )

Linda Harding said...

My goodness but these look wickedly delicious! Wow!

Cher Rockwell said...

Ding Dongs & Twinkies. Oh man - whenever I could con my dad into picking those up at the store, I felt like I won the lottery!
A box of one or the other just may need to end up in my grocery cart in the near future...

Island Vittles said...

now those got my attention! They look waaay more amazing than any Ding Dong from a wrapper...Theresa

Miz Helen said...

Our little ones will just love this treat and I know a couple of "oldies" that will too. This is a great pick for the SRC! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week.
Miz Helen
http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/brussels-sprouts-salad-with-warm-bacon.html

Gina said...

Ding Dong the Witch is dead and she melted all over your cupcake! Sorry couldn't help myself, thought I'd brighten your Monday. Hope you are doing better.
-Gina-

Allison said...

Wow! These look amazing. I am glad you found something to try on my blog. I love how you made them personalized and the layer of marshmallow and nutella ... your spin looks divine.

Alli - sweetflours

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Ha - your stretch denim comment made me laugh out loud.

What a wonderful recipe - pinning it and hoping I completely forget all about it or I'll find myself up in the middle of the night making these amazing treats. LOVE the puck size - good for portion control (usually - teehee).

I hope you'll stop by and see my SRC post for Honey Vinaigrette Marinated Grilled Chicken.

:)
ButterYum
http://butteryum.blogspot.com/2011/11/honey-vinaigrette-grilled-chicken.html

Sandra said...

Oh my dear dear Maya..what a fantastic recipe..mmm, I would eat probably 2 before while deciding on third one LOL!!! Beautiful!!!!

Amy Anderson said...

Those look really great! I'm sorry you're leaving the SRC but I get what you're saying. Good luck!

If you haven't already, I'd love it if you'd check out my SRC recipe for Crockpot Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal.

Amy said...

Looks great -- so fun to be in SCR with you!

Steph said...

Holy lord!! These look so outrageous!! I desperately want one!

Tammy said...

O.M.G!!!! You've given me something to dream about for the rest of the week~~~ I will definitely try this!! Mmmmmm...

xoxo,
Tammy

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

My kids and hubby would LOVE these! I hate those stale Hostess products...your version is SO much better. Great SRC choice, Maya!!! xo

Patsyk said...

I'd have to hit the gym a lot harder to really enjoy these sweet little cakes! Love them!

Ashley@Bakerbynature said...

I want to replace my pillows with these cakes. I'm serious. Nutella + ding dongs = heaven.

Daksha said...

Looks amazing!! u give nice name ding dong name. must buzzzed u. plz visit some time my space:).

Foodiewife said...

Mercy me. These are the most incredibly tantalizing desserts I've looked at in a while. Hello, lover!

Trisha said...

My word, they look delicious! We'll miss having u around at SRC but I wish u the very best with your forthcoming projects!

Julie said...

Oh my these look amazing! Nutella is the best! SRC is so fun and a great way to find new recipes.

Mary said...

These look insane! I haven't dared to make any of the copycat recipes like these for fear I'll revert to my childhood self with zero control and eat the full batch. Ok, who am I kidding, I still have very little self-control over sweets, but I know better than to keep too many in the house! I'd love to taste them though. Yours are so pretty!

Anonymous said...

These are amazing! I'm sorry to hear this is your last month doing the SRC, but I understand wanting to get back in the kitchen and do you own thing! Congratulations on a FABULOUS final act!

Unknown said...

Sorry to read that this will be your last month at SRC. :( I had fun making your Spicy Mushroom soup and discovering how spicy black pepper can be. :)

Anonymous said...

Bookmarked! Definitely trying this recipe!

Kathy said...

Oh, these are pure evil! I couldn't have them in my house...my husband would eat them all! Gorgeous!

Vicki Bensinger said...

Oh my word, these are to die for. I love Ding Dongs and Hostess Cupcakes like your friend posted. In fact, these would be so much fun to make for my moms 90th bday. We're celebrating it this Sunday.

My mom, for as long as I can remember, has eaten a hostess cupcake every morning with her breakfast. Amazing and she's doing fantastic. These would be fun to make and serve with the squiggly line on top for her bday. She'd get a kick out of these.

Thanks for the inspiration. Of course I love the Nutella version but for my mom I'd have to stick with just the chocolate.

Jo said...

I haven't had a ding dong in who knows how long, but I bet they aren't nearly as good as your cake! Sorry to hear you are leaving SRC, you will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Those little ding dongs look scrumptious and a must make for my daughter, she'd love it especially the nutella!

Torviewtoronto said...

this looks wonderful lovely cakes

Anonymous said...

These are right up my alley! They are my perfect cake!!!

LV said...

Ding Dongs were one of my favorite childhood desserts. These look so good I am drooling...

http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} said...

I want to live 91 years just so I can enjoy these heavenly chocolate cakes each year. They look amazing Maya! You did a wonderful job, as always

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Oh my... I can skip all my meals if I can eat some of these. :-)

Magic of Spice said...

Oh my...my childhood so reinvented! I so remember Ding Dongs, but seriously sweetie they never, ever looked this good! Wow!!!

Nancy said...

Mmmmmm...Ding Dong. Drool! I love this recreation of an American junkie treat. But yours and Alision's are no junkie treat they I'm sure are way way better. The Nutella was brilliant Maya! If you loved the Ding Dong name maybe you'll also love the Ho Hos cake name :) Glad to see you wanting to get your old ding dong back. Lol!

Unknown said...

Im just drooling just looking at this.

Jennifer said...

I've never heard of a ding dong cake but these really look wonderful!

Unknown said...

Wow, Now this really makes me proud of Bruneians...Well Done! Looks awesome and I have put it on my "TO DO" List :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails