If your family loves Twinkies, this cake is about to become their new favorite dessert! This fun and easy Twinkie Layer Cake combines soft vanilla cake, fluffy homemade frosting, real Twinkie pieces between every layer, and a beautiful drip finish that looks like it came straight from a bakery.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a family gathering, or simply surprising your kids with a fun weekend dessert, this cake is guaranteed to get plenty of smiles. The chopped Twinkies hidden between the layers add a delicious creamy surprise, while the Twinkies decorating the top make it extra eye-catching.
The best part? It looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make!
Why You’ll Love This Twinkie Cake
- Perfect for birthdays and celebrations
- Great dessert for Twinkie fans
- Soft, moist vanilla cake
- Homemade buttercream frosting
- Fun bakery-style drip decoration
- Easy enough for beginner bakers
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake
- 2 boxes vanilla cake mix
- 6 large egg whites
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup canola oil
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- 3 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Decorations
- 1 small container vanilla premade frosting
- 1 box Twinkies
- 1 medium piping bag fitted with a large star tip
- 1 squeeze bottle
- 3 (9-inch) round cake pans
- 1 (10-inch) round cake board
Directions
Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spray three 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, egg whites, water, and canola oil.
- Using a hand mixer, beat until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
Make the Frosting
- Add the powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and the container of vanilla frosting into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Beat until everything is smooth, fluffy, and forms stiff peaks.
- Transfer about 1 cup of frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Prepare the Twinkies
- Cut about 3 Twinkies into bite-sized pieces for the filling.
- Slice another 3 to 4 Twinkies in half to decorate the top of the finished cake.
Assemble the Cake
- Place the first cake layer onto a cake board or serving plate.
- Trim the rounded top so the layer is flat.
- Repeat with the remaining two cake layers.
- Spread about 1 cup of frosting over the first layer.
- Sprinkle chopped Twinkie pieces evenly over the frosting and gently press them into place.
- Add the second cake layer.
- Spread another cup of frosting over the top.
- Add the remaining chopped Twinkies.
- Place the final cake layer on top.
- Frost the entire outside of the cake with the remaining homemade frosting until smooth.
Create the Drip Effect
- Remove the foil seal from the container of vanilla frosting.
- Microwave it for 30–45 seconds until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
- Pour some into a squeeze bottle.
- Slowly squeeze the frosting around the top edge of the cake, allowing it to drip naturally down the sides.
- Fill in the top with the remaining melted frosting if desired.
Decorate
- Pipe decorative frosting swirls around the top edge of the cake.
- Place a halved Twinkie between each frosting swirl.
- Refrigerate the cake for about 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Tips for Success
- Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting.
- Leveling the cakes helps create a professional-looking finished dessert.
- Chill the cake before decorating to help the frosting stay in place.
- Refrigerating before serving also makes slicing much easier.
Storage
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes so the frosting softens and the cake tastes its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake actually tastes even better after chilling overnight, making it a great make-ahead dessert.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze individual slices in airtight containers for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
This Twinkie Layer Cake is one of those desserts that instantly brings out everyone’s inner kid. Between the fluffy vanilla cake, creamy frosting, hidden Twinkie filling, and bakery-style decorations, every bite is sweet, nostalgic, and incredibly fun.
Whether you’re making it for a birthday party, family gathering, or simply because your kids requested something over-the-top, this cake is guaranteed to become a memorable dessert everyone talks about long after the last slice is gone.
Twinkie Layer Cake
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake
- 2 boxes Vanilla Cake Mix
- 6 large Egg Whites
- 2 C Water
- 1 C Canola Oil
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- 3 C Unsalted Butter, softened
- 6 C Powdered Sugar
- 5 TBSP Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Decorations
- 1 container Premade Vanilla Frosting
- 1 box Twinkies
Instructions
- Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spray three 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, egg whites, water, and canola oil.
- Using a hand mixer, beat until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
- Make the Buttercream Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract.
- Beat until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and forms stiff peaks.
- Transfer about 1 cup of frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Prepare the Twinkies
- Cut approximately 3 Twinkies into bite-sized chunks for the cake filling.
- Slice 3 to 4 additional Twinkies in half for decorating the top of the cake.
- Assemble the Cake
- Place the first cake layer onto a 10-inch cake board.
- Trim the rounded top (the dome) off the cake to create a flat surface.
- Repeat with the remaining two cake layers.
- Spread about 1 cup of buttercream frosting evenly over the first cake layer.
- Sprinkle half of the chopped Twinkie pieces over the frosting and gently press them into place.
- Add the second cake layer.
- Spread another 1 cup of frosting evenly across the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining chopped Twinkies over the frosting.
- Place the final cake layer on top.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream until smooth.
- Add the Vanilla Drip
- Remove the seal from the container of vanilla frosting.
- Microwave the frosting for 30–45 seconds, just until it becomes pourable but not overly thin.
- Pour some of the melted frosting into a squeeze bottle.
- Carefully squeeze frosting around the top edge of the cake, allowing it to drip naturally down the sides.
- Decorate the Cake
- Pipe decorative dollops of buttercream around the top edge of the cake using the prepared piping bag.
- Place one halved Twinkie between each frosting dollop.
- Refrigerate the cake for about 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner, more even pieces.
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