Chocolate Easter Egg Nest Ding Dong Cake

5 from 4 votes

Chocolate Easter Egg Nest Ding Dong Cake - a giant "copycat Hostess ding dong" with creamy filling, chocolate ganache and edible nest on top.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings slices

Calories 565kcal

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir. Heat another 15 seconds, if necessary. Stir until smooth and melted. Stir in a couple of handfuls of the vermicelli rice noodles. Stir to combine. Press into a small bowl lined with plastic wrap. Place another small both covered with plastic wrap on top. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line 2 (8-inch round) cake pans with parchment paper. Grease again. (I used non-stick cooking spray). Set aside.
Measure out dry ingredients (gluten free flour, cocoa, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt) into a bowl and whisk together until combined. Set aside. (Note: if you don't want it to be gluten free, substitute the same amount of all purpose flour and omit the xanthan gum.)
Combine cooled coffee and vanilla in a large measuring cup. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy. Turn mixer to low and add the eggs, one at a time. Turn mixer back up to medium and beat for 30 seconds.
Turn mixer down to low and alternate adding your dry ingredients and liquid ingredients. Once all of these ingredients are combined, turn mixer up to medium and beat for 2 minutes.
Pour into prepared pans and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean. Let cool completely. Remove cakes from pans. If there is a dome top, cut the domed part off with a large, serrated bread knife (cutting horizontally). You just want your cakes to be flat on top. If the cake is gluten free, there won't be a domed top.

In a large bowl, beat the shortening on medium speed with an electric or stand mixer. Beat for 3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes.
Note: If the frosting is too thick, you can add a little more water. Just add one tablespoon at a time, then mix thoroughly until you get the consistency you like.
Fill the cake with frosting.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir. Heat another 15 seconds, if necessary. Stir until smooth and melted. Add olive oil. Stir to combine. Pour onto cake. Spread around and let some drip over the sides. Add chocolate nest on top with candy eggs inside. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.