Too much for you? I plead The Twinkie Defense.
My defense is that yes, things like this aren't good for us all the time - but Twinkies make you happy.
Guys, did you hear? This childhood icon is in danger.
Jason always surprises me with a sweet treat at the start of my birthday month. The first couple years we were dating, it was a Twinkie. He even topped it with a lit candle. I rarely had Twinkies as a kid, but those Twinkies from Jason are my nostalgia.
I adapted my cake recipe to make a three pack of Twinkies. Vegan, gluten free, will only last a day Twinkies. Okay, maybe two days. Sorry, these won't last as long as the legendary original.
Or perhaps they will - these are so easy to make. You don't need a special shaped mold, you just need this.
Twinkie cake
makes three Twinkies
gluten, dairy and soy free, vegan
2 tablespoons chia seeds
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon water
¼ cup butter (Earth Balance Soy Free)
1 tablespoon coconut spread (or use more butter)
⅓ cup maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup flour (gluten free AP)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
Combine chia and water, set aside to gel. Cream butter, coconut spread, maple syrup and vanilla. Add chia, combine completely. Add flour and baking soda, combine.
Divide batter between three Twinkie molds. Bake at 350 for 25-27 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes clean. Cool completely.
This cake is not as spongy as a typical Twinkie - cut holes in the bottom to fill with your favorite whip.
You know when you pull a Twinkie off the white strip of paper, and some of the cake is left on the paper? That was always my favorite part. These Twinkies do the same thing!
Live on, little Twinkie.
Amy says
This is awsome! I would never eat a regular twinkie, but I would be all over these vegan beauties :)!
spabettie says
so fun, right? 🙂 I wish I could share these with everybody!
Lisa B says
I agree---if twinkies make you happy you should eat them once in a while. However, it does sound like DIY twinkies will be more and more popular. I'm positive I'd enjoy your twinkie more than a "real" one!
spabettie says
yep - I'm sure enjoying them more... 🙂
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Oh man, back in the day they had a special edition Twinkie that had a strawberry goo inside with the cream filling... those were my favorite, and a little strawberry puree in these would be divine! I scanned the comments and am happy to be the first one to point out... your middle Twinkie mold tooootally looks like a penis. Just sayin'. 😉
spabettie says
haa HAAA, oh Christin I have missed your more improper comments 😉 I never saw the strawberry Twinkie?? wow!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I figured you'd like that. 😉 I sent you my # on Facebook... text me soon!
caitlin says
These are awesome! You are so creative. 🙂
Curt says
Awesome recipe. I'll be making that one for sure!
spabettie says
they're really fun - I hope you do! hmm, a grilled Twinkie, perhaps??
Miel says
Thank you, you beautiful person, for making these! Cannot express how amazing these look!
spabettie says
you are so welcome, Miel!! 😀 I hope you make them yourself??
Beth Michelle says
I loved twinkies growing up. Havent had one in ages. These are amazing!
spabettie says
thank you, Beth Michelle! they were really fun to make... AND to eat! 🙂
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
I've always wanted to try a twinkie but my Mom never let me. Then I went off gluten... so I've never ever had one! Love the recipe, and that they're gluten free!!
spabettie says
sometimes it's better to not know what you're missing... although many will argue you're not missing much? it's more of a iconic institution, I think, rather than an actual thing that tastes good? 🙂 these, however... do taste good!
Eil says
Oh, I *will* be trying this recipe this weekend.
spabettie says
oh, good - I hope you do!! 🙂
beti says
I immediately bookmarked this recipe it is now on the top of my to do list, thanks for sharing!
spabettie says
I hope you love them, Beti! 🙂