Twinkie Cake (No Bake Recipe)
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This easy Twinkie cake recipe starts with a layer of soft and creamy Twinkies before you add sweet vanilla pudding, refreshing fruit pieces, fluffy whipped topping, and crushed nuts to make the ultimate no-bake summer dessert.
I have one of my dear readers, Miss Mary Anne, to thank for sending me this Twinkie cake recipe. This isn’t a cake that tastes or looks like a Twinkie. It’s in fact made with Twinkies, which is even better, am I right?
A little look at the history of Twinkies
Did you know Twinkies have been around since 1930? They were invented by bakery manager, Jimmy Dewer at Continental Baking Co. in River Forest, Illinois. He named them Twinkies after being inspired by a “Twinkle Toe Shoes” billboard. The American snack cake is famous for its airy golden sponge cake and fluffy vanilla cream filling. But the first Twinkies actually had a banana cream filling, before changing to vanilla during WWII when they rationed bananas. Today, about 1,123 Hostess Twinkies are produced every minute and you can get them with vanilla, chocolate, and banana filling year-round.
This easy Twinkie cake recipe is a no-bake refrigerator cake, making it the perfect summer dessert. It includes a layer of halved Twinkies, which is topped with vanilla pudding, crushed pineapple, banana slices, whipped topping, and crushed nuts. It’s so easy to make as all you have to do is construct the layers, which takes no time at all. Then you pop it in the fridge to set and let the flavors mingle together.
I don’t think you’ll find a more refreshing summer cake. The combination of the sweet vanilla pudding, fruit pieces, fluffy whipped cream, and soft cake just melts in your mouth, leaving you wanting a second slice… and a third. Trust me, I know! Luckily, this no-bake Twinkie cake is so simple to make that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor sooner.
Recipe Ingredients
- Twinkies
- Bananas
- Frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- Vanilla instant pudding mix
- Crushed pineapple
- Maraschino cherries
- Chopped nuts
How to Make Twinkie Cake
Slice each Twinkie in half lengthwise.
Place the cream side up in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
You’ll only need nine Twinkies for this and the box comes with ten.
Miss Mary Anne says that the last one is to enjoy with your coffee and I say Miss Mary Anne is wise beyond her years 😉.
Next, you’re going to mix up your pudding.
We just do this according to package directions.
Spread that pudding over the top of your Twinkies.
Drain your pineapple and spread it over the top of your pudding.
Slice up a WHOLE BUNCH of bananas over the top of that.
Isn’t it pretty? If you only have a few bananas that’s fine, use as many or as few as you want.
Now spread whipped topping over the top of that.
Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
If you want, sprinkle the top with chopped nuts.
I served each slice with a nut topping and cherry.
Isn’t it pretty?
Excuse me while I dig into this delicious layered Twinkie cake.
Storage
Store leftover cake covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
- You can use any kind of chopped nuts on top of the cake, like the mixed nuts I’m using, chopped pecans, or chopped walnuts. Otherwise, omit them completely.
- If you’re in a rush, the cake only really needs to sit in the fridge for a minimum of an hour to set.
- To make a strawberry Twinkie cake, substitute the pineapple and banana for strawberry pie filling instead. I am SO trying this next time! I’d then serve it with a strawberry garnish instead of the cherry on top.
- Speaking of, you can use any kind of fruit you like in this Twinkie cake. Maybe you want to do just sliced strawberries? Or canned mandarin oranges? Let your imagination run wild!
Recipe FAQs
Can I substitute another cake for the Twinkies?
Yes, you can simply use a layer of pound cake, homemade vanilla cake, or a simple boxed yellow cake mix if you like.
Can I make my Twinkie cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! Feel free to make your Twinkie cake the day before and let it sit in the fridge overnight so all those flavors soak into the Twinkies. YUM.
Check out these other summer cake recipes:
Easy Mandarin Orange Cake (a.k.a. Pig Pickin Cake)
Ingredients
- 1 box Twinkies
- 4 large bananas
- 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 5.1-ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix mix with milk according to box directions
- 1 12-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- maraschino cherries and chopped nuts for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Remove Twinkies from wrappers and cut each in half lengthwise from top to bottom.1 box Twinkies
- Place Twinkie halves in a 9x13 baking dish with the cream side facing up. Prepare pudding according to package directions and spread over Twinkies.1 5.1-ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix
- Spread pineapple over pudding, top evenly with banana slices, spread whipped topping over all, and sprinkle with nuts if you like.4 large bananas, 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained, 1 12-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
- To serve, top each slice with a cherry if you like. Enjoy!maraschino cherries and chopped nuts for garnish, optional
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2010. I updated the photos in 2020.
Most folks are about as happy
as they make up their minds to be
~Abraham Lincoln
This recipe is featured on Meal Plan Monday and Weekend Potluck 😁
I can’t wait to try this out at our next church function. It will be a big hit!! Thanks so much.
Looks like a winner will be makin this Friday . WINK WINK and out goes the tongue.
Isn’t that the truth, Charlotte? Twinkies (while still good) are just one of many things that were so wonderful to me as a child, but just aren’t the same now that I’m an adult.
Not crazy about Twinkies, but I think I might substitute pound-cake. Of course, then it wouldn’t be Twinkie cake I guess.
ohhhh, now pound cake sounds even better to me! (twinkies arent as good as they used to be for some reason!)
I made this year’s ago for a summer event. It was a big hit. Had forgotten about this recipe. Will put this recipe back in the rotation.
I’d still call it twinkie cake, it would kinda have all the makings of a twinkie in one way or the other and…well if you make it you can call it whatever you want! lol
ahhhhhh, Ms. Christy and Miss Mary Anne – another wonderful post. Sounds yummy – I don’t know if you all have the chocolate covered twinkies down South, but every so often, we have them up north – would be good too – or maybe some caramel topping drizzled over the bananas?
When we stick our tongues out, we also put our thumbs in our ears and wiggle our fingers at people (like antlers) and say “nah, nah, nah, but then we wink too. 🙂
I haven’t seen chocolate covered ones, but there is a “cheap” brand here made by the Blue Bird company. Basically Twinkies, but they are called Bingles. They make a red-velvetflavor that might work for this. Of course this just gives me a reason to head to the bread store and get some of them.
I’m actually thinking along the lines of a Sonic banana split kinda thing…. add some strawberries along with the pineapple and bananas, drizzle some chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce at serving.
Ok, I have to go to the grocery store now!
Just imagine a chocolate brownie for the base then all the other Fixings. Yummmm
I have made this with the pound cake before..is yummy..also added a sprinkling of cinnamon on top of the whipped cream.
Oooooh, I’m liking that idea! I need a “no cook” dessert for our beach vacation next week. I can get a pound cake at the grocery store along with everything else. Easy! Thanks for the suggestion!
Can’t wait to make this, it looks dee-licious!!
Thanks Christy and Miss Mary Anne! Christy, I’m really enjoying getting your recipes and perusing your website and blog…… Thanks for all you do!
Are we supposed to stick out our tongue and wink at the same time? Because that looks a little strange. And yes, I am trying it as I type! The cat is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind!
Smooches!
Oh my, one of my favorite guilty pleasures….twinkies! I haven’t had one in a very long time. I think my kids are gonna like this cake. yeah, I’ll make it for them! And have that extra twinkie with my coffee this afternoon. I wouldn’t want to waste it! lol sticking out my tongue, and winking