Twinkie Cake is a no-bake dessert that is a cross between a banana split and a shortcake. Layers of Twinkies, bananas, pudding and Cool Whip!
A FUN NO-BAKE DESSERT
No, it's not a cake that tastes like a Twinkie. It's a cake made out of Twinkies! Yes, it sounds perfectly sinful. And it is. But it's kinda healthy, it's got pineapple and bananas in it and it even has cherries too. That's healthy, right? And better yet, no baking involved!
CAN I SUBSTITUTE SOMETHING ELSE FOR THE TWINKIES?
You can also use sliced pound cake or sponge cake for the bottom layer. So if baking isn't really your thing and you need a sweet potluck dish, then this one is for you. And it is always fun to see people's reaction when you tell them it is made from Twinkies. People are surprised at first then they are in love!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- Twinkies
- bananas
- crushed pineapple
- instant vanilla pudding
- milk
- whipped topping (COOL WHIP)
- maraschino cherries and chopped nuts
HOW TO MAKE TWINKIE CAKE:
Remove Twinkies from the wrappers. You'll use about 7 Twinkies. Although, I think I've made this a few times before where I ended up using 8. Must've been the way I sliced them. Place sliced Twinkies in a 9x13 pan, cream side up
Next, layer sliced bananas on top of Twinkies.
Spread the crushed pineapples on top of the bananas.
In a separate bowl, combine instant pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk. Whisk it together until combined and allow it to thicken slightly. It should take 3-5 minutes. You want it just a bit thickened, but still pourable. Pour pudding over crushed pineapple. Spread it out so it is evenly coated.
Next, spread the whipped topping over the pudding layer. Drain a few maraschino cherries on a paper towel.
Sprinkle chopped nuts on top of cake. Then place a few cherries on top.
Cover and store cake in the fridge. Let it set for about an hour before serving.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
No-Bake Twinkie Cake (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1 box Twinkies
- 4 bananas, peeled and sliced
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained well
- 3 ounce box INSTANT vanilla pudding
- 2 cups cold milk
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP), thawed
- maraschino cherries and chopped nuts, for topping
Instructions
- Remove Twinkies from the wrappers. You'll use about 7 Twinkies. Slice them in half.
- Place sliced Twinkies in a 9x13-inch pan, cream side up.
- Next, layer sliced bananas on top of Twinkies.
- Spread the crushed pineapples on top of the bananas.
- In a separate bowl, combine instant pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk.
- Whisk it together until combined and allow it to thicken slightly. It should take 3-5 minutes. It should be thickened but pourable.
- Pour pudding over crushed pineapple. Spread out until evenly coated.
- Next, spread the whipped topping over the pudding layer.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts on top of cake.
- Drain a few maraschino cherries on a paper towel. Then, place a few cherries on top.
- Cover and store cake in the fridge. Let it set for about an hour before serving.
Video
Notes
- Instead of Twinkies, you can always use sliced pound cake or sponge cake for the bottom layer.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: December 2011
Updated & republished: July 2019
Tammy
Sounds good.
Tommy Casillas Jr
Is delicious and fun to make with the kids
Luke Schaublin
This recipe was delicious - and so easy to make. I cut down some on the bananas,( i used two bananas instead of four), and sprinkled crushed Graham crackers on top instead of nuts. will make this again someday for sure. Thanks for posting this recipe !
Olivia C Dugas
This Twinkie Cake did NOT get soggy and it only stayed 3 days in my fridge as my husband and 2 sons loved it especially cold!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you so much for coming back to comment Olivia!! I love hearing that!!
Rita Bashor
can this be made ahead..like even the day before,or will it get soggy?
Olivia C Dugas
This is GREAT ! this will take the place of my overly intensive Banana Split Cake that i am getting too old to do. LOVE THIS!!!! Thank you, Brandie!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay!! Love hearing that Olivia! I love dessert but I need them to be easy since I am not the most accomplished baker. Ha!
Carole Coushaine
I've made this cake for years...the only difference is I bake a yellow cake in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan instead of using Twinkies.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Sounds good to me!
Karen
I made this for my ladies bible study group. Everyone loved it. So easy to make. Requests to have it again tomorrow.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Woo hoo!! So wonderful Karen! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Lisa davis
I am going to use lady fingers.Yummy ???? can't wait to try.
F Moore
I love this recipe. It’s strange, because when my daugh Was born in 1995, I received an auxiliary book from the hospital with recipes in it, and there where two that’s popular as of late: strawberry soda pop cake (poke cake), and Twinkie pie. I am assuming that most of these recipes are old and have been passed around apparently. But great, nonetheless.
Huntdaniela
I used strawberries and fresh cut pineapple❗
Linda Stoltz
Sorry I haven’t read all of the comments above. However, I have tried the Twinkie cake with strawberries instead of bananas and pineapple. I also used two puddings as my pan was somewhat bigger. On top I used Cool Whip and the cherries. The strawberries had been freshly cut and frozen. I also used a half a cup of sugar to sweeten them before freezing. They were Juicy and fresh looking.
Jeffrey A Lynch
My mom used to make this and somewhere in the steps she would pour a mix of strawberry jello over holes that she had poked into the Twinkies. Continue to layer it with banana's or strawberries and whip cream with nuts my mouth is waterjng just talkinv about it. So many variations. I think she even used pistachio pudding once. Sooo good!
Phyllis Kays
When I made it, after cutting Twinkies in half I cut them in half again so they were about two inches long and placed them in the pan. It made it so much easier to serve
Jill Lane
I'm going to try this with Banana flavored Twinkies. This recipe reminds me of Banana split torte. It sounds so good! Have to try this!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ooooh - that's a good idea! I love how they've brought back that original flavor! Let me know how it turns out for you!
Linda
Making it for a bbq tomorrow! How far in advance do you think I can make this?
Deborah Chism
Gotta say I made this but I can't tell you how it tastes. Had to go deal with an emergency situation came bake and there was not even a crumb. I suppose my family liked it. I will make 2 next time and hide one.1
Denise Mayer
Making this for our 4th ofJuly barbeque. Actually it's so easy the kids will be making.
DeAnna Gonzales
I'll try to make it I don't know if the twinkles will make it. .... They're a dessert all on their own!!! Yummy.!!!!
Major Mom
I think I will be making this for a pot luck picnic on Thursday! Thanks for the idea...
Major Mom
I think I will be trying this later this week for a picnic with Dave's new office.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
You can actually find lots of other Twinkie versions out there now. Tastycake came out with their own Twinkie version recently and I think it tastes very good! Also, most stores have their versions of a Twinkie as well so there are lots of options for this still 🙂
Anonymous
Well what'll we do now that they no longer make twinkie's???? LOL
Gottcha3
I'm so sad. Now I have to figure out how to make my own twinkies!
Penny
This looks great! I think I will try it with coconut instead of the pineapple with chocolate sprinkles on top. Also, one with chocolate pudding and mandarin oranges, YUM!
KATHY
I just wanted to thank you for this wonderful recipe, I made it and took it to a bbq last night and it was a big hit, even my husband who wanted me to make something different because he said he didn't like Twinkies loved it. I love your page its great thanks again.