Skip to main content

Ding Dong Cake Recipe

 

Jensen Beach Personal Chef

Print Friendly and PDF

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • Cooking spray

  • 3/4 cup/64g 

    unsweetened natural cocoa powder

  • cup/237ml 

    hot brewed coffee

  • cups/240g 

    all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pans

  • teaspoons/14g 

    baking soda

  • teaspoon/5g 

    kosher salt

  • teaspoon/5 

    baking powder

  • cups/250g 

    granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup/180 

    vegetable oil

  • large eggs

  • cup/125nk 

    whole milk

  • teaspoon/5ml 

    vanilla extract

For the ermine filling:

  • cup 

    whole milk

  • 1/4 cup 

    all-purpose flour

  • pinch kosher salt

  • cup 

    granulated sugar

  • sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter

  • teaspoon 

    vanilla extract

For the ganache:

  • ounces 

    dark chocolate (about 70%) or 1 1/3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips

  • tablespoons 

    light corn syrup

  • pinch kosher salt

  • cup 

    heavy cream

Instructions

Make the cake:

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350ºF. Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray. Dust with all-purpose flour and line the bottom of each with a parchment paper round.

  2. Place 3/4 cup natural cocoa powder in a medium bowl, add 1 cup hot brewed coffee, and whisk to combine. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, place 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

  3. Place 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until lightened in color and smooth, about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.

  4. Add 1 cup whole milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the cocoa mixture and whisk to combine. Transfer half to the cake batter and beat on low speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the remaining cocoa mixture and beat on low speed until smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed (the batter will be thin), about 1 minute.

  5. Divide the batter between the cake pans (generous 2 2/3 cups or 23 ounces each). Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until the top of the cakes bounces back when gently pressed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes total.

  6. Place the cake pans on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pan to the wire rack and discard the parchment paper. Let cool completely, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the frosting.

Make the ermine filling:

  1. Make the roux: Place 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 pinch kosher salt in a medium saucepan. While whisking constantly, bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to cook until thick and pudding-like, about 4 minutes total cooking time. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and whisk until combined.

  2. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Transfer the mixture into a fine-mesh strainer and press it through into a shallow medium bowl or baking dish. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface and let cool to room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, place 2 sticks unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit at room temperature until the butter is softened.

  3. Beat the butter mixture with the paddle attachment on medium-low speed until the butter is soft and lightened in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Beat in the roux a quarter at a time, mixing well in between additions.

  4. Switch to the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy and soft, about 4 minutes. If the frosting appears greasy or separated, gently heat it in a double boiler over a pot of simmering water and re-whip. If it appears loose and soft, refrigerate for several minutes before re-whipping.

Assemble the cake:

  1. Spread 1 tablespoon of the frosting in the center of a cake or serving plate. Top with 1 cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top of the cake in an even layer, going all the way to the edges. Top with the second cake layer. Refrigerate until the frosting is set, 35 to 40 minutes.

Make the ganache:

  1. Coarsely chop 8 ounces dark chocolate or measure out 1 1/3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips. Place in a medium heatproof bowl and add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup and 1 pinch kosher salt.

  2. Heat 1 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Pour over the chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute to begin melting the chocolate. Stir together with a flexible spatula until shiny and smooth. Let cool slightly until it begins to thicken, about 3 minutes.

  3. While the ganache sits, place five 3-inch-wide, 5-inch-long strips of parchment paper around the bottom edge of the cake, nestling them just underneath the bottom layer, so that the cake plate is covered and will remain clean when the ganache is poured over top.

  4. Pour one third of the ganache (about 2/3 cup) over top of the cooled cake. Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread it to the edges of the cake so that it runs down the sides, then spread the ganache over the sides of the cake. Repeat twice more with the remaining ganache so that the cake is fully covered. Gently drag the tip of the offset spatula or butter knife across the top of the cake back and forth to create a wavy pattern to mimic the top of a Ding Dong.

  5. Carefully remove the strips of parchment from around the base of the cake. Refrigerate until the ganache is set, about 30 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The cake layers can be baked, wrapped, and frozen up to 1 month ahead. The ermine filling can be made up to 1 week ahead; refrigerate in a covered container and let come to room temperature before using.

Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftover cake for up to 4 days.

The Kitchn

private chefs and event catering

Jensen Beach - Treasure Coast
Palm Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Miami Beach
info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232)
561-285-7466

south florida catering and personal chefs

Popular posts from this blog

Do you Remember Herman? Sourdough Starter and Recipe

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Amish friendship bread, as well as an interchangeable starter referred to as Herman (the name varies), became a popular exchange among friends who shared the starter as well as recipes. Herman Starter Preparation time: 10 minutes Standing time: 5 days Yield: 4 cups 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup warm water 2 packages (2 1/4 teaspoons each) active dry yeast 2 cups each: milk, flour 1. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the sugar over the warm water. Sprinkle yeast over mixture; set aside until doubled in volume, about 10 minutes. 2. Combine milk, flour, remaining sugar and yeast mixture in a plastic or glass container. (Do not use metal.) Stir with a wooden spoon; cover loosely. Set aside at room temperature, at least 8 hours. 3. Stir mixture once a day for three days. On the fourth day, measure out 1 cup of Herman for baking; measure 1 additional cup to give to a friend as a gift. To replenish starter: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk and 1...

The History of Aluminum Foil: Just Don't Call it Tin Foil

Gerard Paul  September 11th, 2020  Cookware ,   Grilling & Outdoors   Aluminum foil – sometimes incorrectly called  tin foil  – is a thin, prepared sheet metal made of aluminum, often used in cooking (and food storage!). Although it may seem a little  dull  at first glance (especially on its dull side), aluminum foil has quite a fascinating story behind it. Many incredible things occurred before it became a staple in the modern kitchen. In this post, I'll discuss the various events that led to the aluminum foil revolution, and highlight the continued importance of this seemingly mundane material in our lives.  Aluminum Foil What Is Aluminum Foil? Aluminum foil is a thin sheet of  metal foil  or  metal leaf  composed of an  aluminum alloy  containing roughly 92–99 percent aluminum. It usually has a thickness between 0.0002 to 0.006 inches, but its width and strength vary greatly based on the intended applicati...

Tuna Pasta Salad With Dill Recipe

This flavorful pasta salad is hearty and delicious. If you don't have chopped fresh dill, a few teaspoons of dried dill weed would work as well. It's easy to prepare and makes a good main dish or side dish for summer meals. This is a flavorful pasta salad, perfect for an everyday lunch with soup, or serve it as a side dish at your next cookout. Make this salad with cavatappi pasta, macaroni, rotini, or similar pasta shapes. What You'll Need  8 ounces/225g cavatappi, macaroni, or rotini pasta 1 can (6 to 7 ounces/170-198g) tuna, flaked and drained 3 tablespoons/45ml finely chopped red onion 2 cloves garlic, mashed and finely minced 1/4 cup/60ml finely chopped red bell pepper 3 tablespoons/60 chopped fresh dill 4 teaspoons lemon juice 3/4 to 1 cup/185-250ml mayonnaise 3 tablespoons/45ml sour cream 1/2 to 1 cup/125-250ml sliced grape tomatoes Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste How to Make It  Cook the pasta in boil...

Strawberry Breasts (Fragomammella) Recipe

This 'Two Fat Ladies' recipe is delicious. We did find before pushing the ricotta through the sieve to drain as much as the liquid out of it first. Made for a less runny consistency.  Ingredients 1 pound/450g strawberries 1 tablespoon/15ml lemon juice 1 tablespoon/15ml caster sugar (superfine) 1 1/4/510g pounds fresh ricotta 1/4 pint (1/2 cup/120ml/120g) double cream 3 tablespoons/45ml Campari 4 to 5 tablespoons/8g icing sugar (confectioners') Directions Set aside 16 of the smallest strawberries and cut the rest into small pieces. Put in a bowl with the lemon juice and caster sugar and leave to soak for 1 hour. Push the ricotta through the smallest sieve of a mouli, add cream and Campari, mix well. Sieve the icing sugar into the mixture to your own taste, put a third of the mixture aside and mix the strawberries into the remaining ricotta. Prepare pink dessert plates and divide the mixture into 16 breast-shaped molds, 2 for each plate. With a moistened...

Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients CAKE 170g semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips 113g unsalted butter 149g granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 to 2 teaspoons espresso powder, optional 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional 3 large eggs 43g unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-process preferred GLAZE 170g semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips 113g heavy cream Instructions Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8" round cake pan; cut a piece of parchment to fit, grease it, and lay it in the bottom of the pan.  See "tips," below. To make the cake: Put the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the butter is melted and the chips are soft. Stir until the chips melt, reheating briefly if necessary. You can also do this over a burner set at very low heat. Transfer the melted chocolate/butter to a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar, salt, espresso powder, and vanilla. Espresso enhances chocolate's flavor much as vanilla do...

Eat Your Organic Orange Peels

By Dr. Mercola Oranges are one of the most popular fruits in the U.S., but very few consume the peel, which is arguably the  healthiest  part of the whole fruit. Orange peels are rich in flavonoids, like hesperidin and polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), and other phytochemicals, which contribute many of their health benefits. Flavonoids  —  antioxidant compounds found in certain fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices — are known for their role in helping to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. In addition, orange peel contains higher amounts of certain nutrients than its flesh. For instance, 3.5 ounces of orange peel provides 136 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, while the flesh contains about 71 mg. 1 Orange peel also contains considerable amounts of calcium, copper, magnesium, vitamin A, folate and other B vitamins and dietary fiber. They have an intense orange and bitter flavor, but the latter is often a clue that a food is healthy; the...

9 Wonderful Benefits Of Pistachios

The health benefits of pistachios include a  healthy heart , weight management, protection against  diabetes  and hypertension, and improved  digestion . The  vitamins ,  minerals , fats, and protein found in pistachio are all good for health. What Are Pistachios? Pistachios are one of the oldest edible  nuts  and are commonly used all over the world. They are native to Asia, particularly Iran and Iraq. Archaeological evidence  dates  the association of pistachios and man as early as 6,000 BC. They were cultivated in Iran, Iraq, and Syria and were introduced to the Romans only in 100 AD. Today, apart from Iran, Iraq, and Syria, pistachios are being produced in many countries such as the United States, Australia, Turkey, and China, among others. Pistachio nuts belong to the  Anacardiaceae  family from the genus  Pistacia . A pistachio tree takes about 10 to 12 years to produce the first crop. They are d...

White Fish Gravlax Recipe

White Fish Gravlax Serves 4 Here is a great starter, light lunch or a fantastic item for your holiday buffet.  If you have problems with gluten substitute the wheat bread for a flax or millet bread or leave it out entirely and eat on some mixed greens.   Gravlax 5 ounces/145 grams white fish, bass, snapper-I used tilapia (sushi grade) 2 tablespoons/34g coarse salt 2 tablespoons/25g caster sugar 1 tablespoon/7g of ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon/2g ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon/2g ground cloves 8-10 pieces of fresh dill fronds Mustard Butter 2 Tablespoons/28g of unsalted butter, softened 2 Tablespoons/28g of dijon mustard. Salad 1 handful of watercress dressed with simple vinaigrette Creme Fraiche or Sour Cream Mix salt, sugar, black pepper, allspice, and ground cloves.  Liberally sprinkle on both  sides of the fish.  Lay half of the dill in a glass container.  Place the fish on top  and cover with rest o...

Why Chocolate Feels So Good ... It's All Down To Lubrication

  Date: January 13, 2023 Source: University of Leeds Summary: Scientists have decoded the physical process that takes place in the mouth when a piece of chocolate is eaten, as it changes from a solid into a smooth emulsion that many people find totally irresistible. By analyzing each of the steps, the interdisciplinary research team hope it will lead to the development of a new generation of luxury chocolates that will have the same feel and texture but will be healthier to consume. During the moments it is in the mouth, the chocolate sensation arises from the way the chocolate is lubricated, either from ingredients in the chocolate itself or from saliva or a combination of the two. Fat plays a key function almost immediately when a piece of chocolate is in contact with the tongue. After that, solid cocoa particles are released and they become important in terms of the tactile sensation, so fat deeper inside the chocolate plays a rather limited role and could be reduced without hav...

Braised Lettuce (Laitues Braises): A Take On Julia Child’s Recipe

You can use almost any lettuce, such as chicory, or frisee, or Boston Bib if you are busing large heads, cut them in half. We made these pescartarian because of the shrimp stock, but vegan is easy with vegetable stock, or if serving with beef, a  beef stock and bacon. Braised lettuce is a delicious garnish for poultry, white meats such as veal or pork, or steamed white fish. It can be the main accompanied by a warm sweet potato salad. Serves 4 4 heads Romaine lettuce hearts  4 thick slices of bacon (if making not vegetarian or vegan), cut into lardon strips 1 small onion , diced 2 carrots, diced 1 tablespoon/15g plus 1/2 tablespoon/7 butter divided  1 teaspoon/5ml olive oil 1/2 cup/125ml shrimp or seafood stock (see notes above) 1/2 cup/125ml cup white wine or dry white vermouth bouquet garni: 1 parsley branch, 1 branch of thyme,1  bay leaf tied to a cheesecloth ½ tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon parsley Trim stems of lettuce and ...