Hostess Snack Cakes: A Creative Guide To Wedding Cake

Hostess, a brand under which snack cakes are sold by Hostess Brands, has become a staple in the snack industry since its inception in 1919. The brand is most well-known for its Twinkies product, a golden sponge cake with a creamy filling. However, they offer a variety of other sweet treats, including Cupcakes, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Donettes. In this article, we will be discussing the steps to create a unique and indulgent wedding cake using Hostess snacks as the main ingredient. By stacking, decorating, and customising these snacks, you can create a fun and delicious alternative to a traditional wedding cake. So, get your creative hats on, and let's dive into the world of Hostess snack cakes!

Baking and assembling the cake

To make a Hostess snack wedding cake, you'll need to start by baking a chocolate cake. You can use your favourite recipe or a boxed mix. Once your cake is baked, let it cool completely.

While the cake is cooling, you can make the marshmallow crème filling. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add the marshmallow crème, vanilla and heavy cream and beat until fluffy.

Now it's time to assemble the cake. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the cake in half horizontally to create two even layers. Place one layer on a serving plate or cake stand. If you want to make it extra special, you can sprinkle some crumbs from the cut-off cake top onto the base layer.

Spread an even layer of the marshmallow crème filling on top of the first cake layer. You can use a spatula or a piping bag to get a neat finish. Then, carefully place the second cake layer on top.

For the finishing touch, prepare a batch of chocolate ganache. Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, using a spatula to guide it over the sides and ensure an even coating. Allow the ganache to set before serving.

Your Hostess snack wedding cake is now ready to be enjoyed! This cake is perfect for any celebration and is sure to impress your guests.

Making the crème filling

To make the crème filling, you will need the following ingredients: 7 oz of marshmallow crème, 3/4 cup of unsalted butter (at room temperature), 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of light brown sugar (packed), 2 cups of confectioners' sugar, 3 tbsp of unsalted butter (softened), and 1/4 cup of heavy cream.

Firstly, in the bowl of a mixer, sift the sugar over the butter. Using the paddle attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until it is lightened in colour. Then, add the marshmallow crème, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the heavy cream. Continue to beat the mixture until it reaches a fluffy consistency.

Next, pipe thick lines of the marshmallow crème filling on top of the first cake layer, which should already be placed in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Spread the filling evenly with an offset spatula to avoid getting too many cake crumbs mixed in.

After transferring the second cake layer on top, gently press it into the filling. Ensure that the layers are as flat and even as possible.

Making the chocolate ganache

Firstly, gather your ingredients: 10 oz of bittersweet chocolate, 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup, and 1 cup of confectioner's sugar. You will also need a heatproof bowl and a saucepan.

Next, chop the chocolate finely. The finer the chocolate pieces, the easier they will melt and combine with the other ingredients. Place the chopped chocolate, butter, corn syrup, and cream into the heatproof bowl. It is important that the bowl does not touch the simmering water in the saucepan, so ensure you have a setup that allows the bowl to rest securely above the saucepan.

Now, turn your attention to the saucepan. You want the water to be barely simmering—a gentle heat is best for this process. Stir the ingredients in the bowl constantly with a wire whisk as they melt together. This should result in a smooth, glossy mixture. Be careful not to overheat or burn the chocolate—a gentle heat is all that is required.

Once your mixture is smooth, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. You don't want it to cool completely, just enough so that it is still slightly shiny. This is the ideal consistency for spreading.

Now, carefully pour the prepared chocolate ganache over the cake, ensuring even coverage. Use a spatula to spread the ganache gently, pushing it to the edges of the cake and filling any gaps. The ganache should settle into a smooth surface, with a beautiful, shiny appearance.

At this stage, you can add any additional decorations or toppings you desire. If you want to keep it simple, a light dusting of cocoa powder or icing sugar can add a nice finishing touch. However, if you're feeling creative, you could add chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or even edible flowers for a truly unique and elegant wedding cake.

Remember, the key to a successful chocolate ganache is patience and gentle heat. Don't rush the process, and you'll be rewarded with a rich, indulgent topping for your Hostess snack wedding cake.

Making the vanilla icing

Now for the final flourish: the vanilla icing. In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little more sugar or milk to make the icing thicker or thinner, depending on your preference.

Once you have achieved the desired consistency, it's time to pipe the vanilla icing onto the cake. Using a decorating bag fitted with a #3 Wilton tip, pipe elegant swirls of vanilla icing across each row of squares. This will give your cake a classic and pretty finish.

If you don't have a decorating bag, you can simply drizzle the vanilla icing over the cake with a spoon or offset spatula. Get creative and have fun with this step!

Your Hostess snack wedding cake is now ready to serve and enjoy! This delicious treat combines the perfect balance of chocolate cake, marshmallow cream frosting, chocolate ganache, and pretty vanilla swirls. It's sure to impress and satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.

Decorating the cake

Now for the fun part: decorating your Hostess snack wedding cake! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Keep it Classic: Stick to the traditional Hostess colours of white, brown, and pink. Use white frosting for the base, brown or pink stripes, and the signature Hostess squiggly line on top.
• Go for Gold: Use golden yellow and brown colours to decorate your cake. This could include using gold frosting, brown or yellow stripes, and maybe even some chocolate coins or wrappers as a nod to the classic Hostess CupCake.
• Think Pink: Embrace the iconic Hostess pink! Use pink frosting, add some pink sprinkles or sugar pearls, and maybe even some fresh raspberries or strawberries on top.
• Get Creative with Toppings: Hostess snacks are known for their creative toppings, so why not incorporate some of those into your wedding cake? You could use Donettes as a border, Ho Hos or Twinkies as a topping, or even create a "tower" of different Hostess snacks around the cake.
• Add Some Bling: Give your cake a touch of glamour with some edible glitter or gold leaf. You could also use sugar pearls or edible gems to add some sparkle.
• Fresh Flowers: Add some fresh flowers as a topper or around the base of the cake. This could include roses, orchids, or even some edible flowers like pansies or violets.

Remember, the key to decorating a Hostess snack wedding cake is to have fun and be creative! Don't be afraid to mix and match different ideas to create a unique and personalised cake that reflects your style.

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