Ding Dong Cake

Total Time Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield 16 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
This heavenly Ding Dong cake is equal parts chocolate, vanilla cream filling and pure grade school nostalgia.

Ingredients

  • CAKE:
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ERMINE FROSTING:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2-1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-3/4 cups butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • GANACHE:
  • 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line the bottoms of 2 greased 8-in. round cake pans with parchment; grease paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine buttermilk and sour cream. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition. Pour into prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. For frosting, in a small heavy saucepan, whisk flour and milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar and salt until dissolved; transfer to a small bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface. Refrigerate until cold.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat in cooled milk mixture. Beat in vanilla. Switch to whisk attachment; continue beating on medium speed until frosting is stiff and fluffy.
  5. For ganache, in a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and butter. Gradually add cream; heat until just warmed. Chill until slightly thickened mixture achieves spreading consistency.
  6. Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting on top of each layer; stack to make a layer cake, ending with a cake layer. Spread ganache over top and sides of cake. Slice and serve.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 807 calories, 57g fat (35g saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.

This luscious and rich cake is made with ermine frosting and topped with a chocolate ganache. Ermine frosting, also known as boiled milk frosting, is an old-fashioned recipe that is egg-free, light and creamy. —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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