Fall is the perfect season for indulging in warm pumpkin tastes. For the pumpkin spice lovers, this is a fun home baked treat: Pumpkin Spice Twinkies Recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Twinkies are a soft cake on the outside, and a sweet creamy filling inside. These make a fantastic Fall party appetizer, Halloween party snack, a Thanksgiving dish, a lunchbox item, or a quick and easy weekend dessert!
This recipe is easy to make and has no complicated baking techniques. Even a novice baker can create tasty pumpkin spice snack cakes, with the proper proportions and a bit of attention.
Pumpkin Spice Twinkies: What Are They?
Pumpkin Spice Twinkies are the homemade version of classic cream filled sponge cakes. Pumpkin and warm spices give the cake its flavor, and a smooth, sweet center.
Pumpkin spice usually includes spices such as:
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Allspice
Use pumpkin pie spice (can be purchased or made at home).
Pumpkin and warm spices are popular in fall desserts, making these cakes very popular that time of year.
Ingredients You Need
For the pumpkin spice cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To make the cream filling:
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk
Don’t use pumpkin pie filling, use plain pumpkin puree. In addition to sugar, many recipes call for spices that can alter the flavor and texture of the pumpkin pie filling.
Equipment You Need
No special baking equipment is necessary.
You will need:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- The baking pan or mould for Twinkies.
- Parchment paper
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag.
- Toothpick
In case you don’t have a pan in the shape of a cake, the cake can be baked in a small rectangular pan and then cut into smaller snack cakes.
The best part of this recipe is that it’s very simple.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Twinkies
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lubricate and line a baking pan with parchment paper, if necessary.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a bowl.
Whisk everything together.
The secret is to add the dry ingredients first to evenly distribute baking powder and spices through the flour.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, beat the eggs, pumpkin puree, white sugar, brown sugar, oil and vanilla.
Mix until ingredients are smooth.
Step 4: Combine the Mixtures
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Use a spatula to mix until everything is combined.
Be careful not to over mix the batter. Halts when no more dry flour can be seen.
Do not over-mix, or cake will be less soft.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Spread it evenly.
Bake for approximately 12 to 18 minutes, or until the carrot is cooked through.
To test the inside, poke a toothpick into it. If free of crumbs, or with a few moist crumbs, then the cake is ready.
Wait until the cake has completely cooled before adding the filling.
How to Make the Cream Filling
Prepare filling while cake cools.
Add softened butter to a mixing bowl and cream together.
Add powdered sugar, a little at a time.
Include vanilla and heavy cream/milk.
Beat until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
If too thick, add a little milk to it. Add a little more powdered sugar if too soft.
How to Fill Pumpkin Spice Cakes
When the cakes are very cool (usually after a few minutes), make small holes in the bottom or side of each cake with a small knife or the end of a piping tip.
Fill a piping bag with cream filling.
Carefully fill each cake with the filling.
Don’t put on too much filling. Don’t over cream the cake, or it will split.
If you have a rectangular cake, cut the cake into small pieces and pipe filling into each piece.
Tips for Soft Pumpkin Spice Twinkies
If possible, use room temperature eggs. They are more readily blended with the other ingredients.
Avoid over-knitting after mixing in the flour.
Measure flour carefully. Over-flouring will make the cake dry.
Wait until the cake is completely cooled before top with cream filling.
Do not overbake. Small cakes will dry out in the oven if the baking time is not extended by a few minutes.
For a more pure pumpkin flavor use pure pumpkin puree.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Alternatively, in case you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can create a basic blend.
Mix:
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
If you don’t have every one of these spices, then you don’t need to use them.
Cinnamon may be the primary spice and other spices used in small quantities for additional flavor.
Use a small, airtight container to store excess spice.
Easy Pumpkin Spice Twinkies Variations
There are a few variations to this homemade pumpkin spice Twinkie recipe.
Add Chocolate
For a pumpkin and chocolate flavor, incorporate a couple mini chocolate chips into the cake batter.
Add Maple Flavor
A little maple extract in cream filling for a stronger fall flavor.
Add Cream Cheese
To create a cream cheese filling combine softened cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar.
Refrigerate cream cheese filling cake.
For a more unique taste, try adding a spice topping to the dish.
Top Cakes with a little cinnamon.
Avoid overpowering the pumpkin flavor with too many spices.
How to Store Pumpkin Spice Twinkies
You can freeze the pumpkin spice mixture for up to one week.
Store homemade snack cakes in an airtight container.
Filling is dairy based – follow safe food-storage procedures and refrigerate as necessary.
Roughly let refrigerated cakes come to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Avoid leaving cream filled cakes at room temperature for extended periods of time.
If they are to be served at a party, store in the refrigerator until needed.
When to Serve Pumpkin Spice Twinkies
The best time to serve Pumpkin Spice Twinkies is actually when you want to!
These homemade pumpkin spice cakes are great for:
- Halloween parties
- Thanksgiving desserts
- Fall gatherings
- School events
- Family snacks
- Weekend baking
- Dessert tables
- Pumpkin-themed parties
These can be made up separately for a one-off treat for a friend.
Why Make Pumpkin Spice Twinkies at Home?
Crafting these cakes by yourself allows you to have control over the ingredients and flavours.
The quantities of pumpkin spice can be increased or decreased, the filling can be varied, and the cakes can be made larger or smaller.
Making your own baking also gives you the opportunity to skip ingredients you don’t wish to use.
When handling foods that may have allergens, please review each ingredient packet and ensure no cross-contamination to foods that are known to cause allergic reactions.
Final Thoughts
Here is a quick and easy Pumpkin Spice Twinkies recipe for those who want to experience the pumpkin and warm spice flavors in a soft cream filled cake.
Recipe is very easy and can be easily altered. Try homemade pumpkin spice, chocolate, cream cheese filling or maple flavoring.
