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.

Slice of Twinkie Cake

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.

Ingredients for Twinkie Cake

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.

Slice each Twinkie in half lengthwise.

Place the cream side up in a 9x13 inch baking dish.

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 😉.

Mix pudding ingredients together.

Next, you’re going to mix up your pudding.

Mixed vanilla pudding.

We just do this according to package directions.

Spread pudding over the Twinkies.

Spread that pudding over the top of your Twinkies.

Layer drained pineapple on top of pudding.

Drain your pineapple and spread it over the top of your pudding.

Add sliced banana on top of pineapple.

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.

Spread whipped topping over Twinkie cake.

Now spread whipped topping over the top of that.

Cover and refrigerate for several hours.

Once set, sprinkle cake with crushed nuts.

If you want, sprinkle the top with chopped nuts. 

Slice of Twinkie Cake with a cherry on top.

I served each slice with a nut topping and cherry.

Isn’t it pretty?

Slice of Twinkie Cake

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:

Strawberry Poke Cake

Easy Mandarin Orange Cake (a.k.a. Pig Pickin Cake)

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Flamingo Cake

Moon Pie Cake

Lemon Icebox Cake

Twinkie Cake

Twinkie Cake

This easy Twinkie cake starts with Twinkies before adding vanilla pudding, fruit, and whipped topping for the ultimate no-bake summer dessert.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake
Servings: 10
Calories: 122.7kcal

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

Calories: 122.7kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

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 😁

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267 Comments

  1. This “cake” is totally awesome! It is a very vintage-y tasting recipe, reminding me of things we made back in the 1980’s for potlucks and church socials, etc. This is fast to make and great to take! It’s more like a gooey banana pudding than a cake.

    Once people got a spoonful of the creamy, gooey banana goodness of this, they went back for more and even seconds! I made a couple of them in two days, it was that popular!

    I ran out of walnuts for the second cake and used slivered almonds and it was just as nice! Let it set up in the fridge for at least an hour for best results. Make this and take this cake somewhere! People will love you for it! It is the perfect thing to pull together fast when you want to take something to a family or friend.

  2. I wanna try making this for my grandbabies. But I have to say, I’m old, and these trademark things across the photos make it hard to concentrate…I don’t see so well to start with.

  3. My aunt use to make this. I absolutely love it. When she passed i wasn’t able to find it in her recipe books. I’m so glad it’s listed on here. I can’t wait to make it for my family. Easy and delicious. Thanks.

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