Hot Dog Snack Cakes

These hot dog look-alikes are sure to bring the smiles at your next summer gathering. Homemade golden sponge cakes are filled with chocolate franks and garnished with yellow buttercream ‘mustard’.

Hot Dog Snack Cakes

Summer is in full swing and we’re adjusting to new routines. Days are long so we’re staying up later to enjoy evenings on the patio. The lightening bugs in our backyard glow with near synchronicity which is a simple but awe-inspiring kind of magic. And then there’s our renewed zest for spontaneous cookouts, which happens weekly.

The latter was my inspiration for creating these hot dogs in true trompe l’oeil fashion. I think they’re a real hoot! They’re tasty too, because they are essentially extra-large Twinkie-style snack cakes. They’re not hard to make but require a few steps which are all outlined in the tutorial that follows.

Also, I have a fun giveaway today, so read on for the details!

Hot Dog Snack Cakes

First, let’s get into the snack cake tutorial! It’s so much fun, and kids will love to help decorate and serve these treats.

  1. Make the molds:No specialty pan needed! Place two medium sheets of aluminum foil on a work surface (about 14×12-inches each). Fold in half lengthwise and fashion into a 6×3-inch boat-shaped mold. A tall stemless champagne flute is the perfect size and shape for creating the hot dog bun shape, so I recommend using one. Lay the glass on its side and shape the foil around the glass, folding the ends and firmly pressing the foil to create a leak-free vessel. You’ll need about six molds, so repeat the process until you have all the molds required.
  2. Prep for baking: Line the molds up on a baking sheet and lightly spray the insides with flour-based baking spray or cooking spray.
  3. Fill and bake: Spoon or pipe sponge cake batter into the molds until they are three-quarters full. Bake for 20-23 minutes, or until the cakes are golden on top and a toothpick tester comes out clean
  4. Unmold and cool:Carefully remove the aluminum foil from the cakes and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Chocolate franks: Covering chocolate is a smooth, malleable, and tasty alternative to fondant. Knead 12 ounces of bright white covering chocolate until smooth.
  6. Hot dog hues:Use gel food colors and gloved hands to knead color into the chocolate. I found the perfect hue by mixing together red and burgundy, with just a touch of golden yellow and chestnut brown. (find the set of colors I used here). Divide the tinted chocolate into 2-ounce portions and roll under your palms into a 5 inch frank shape.
  7. Sprinkle on:Lightly brush the top golden portion of the bun with piping gel. If you don’t have piping gel on hand, use honey or even a tiny bit of corn syrup.
  8. Chicago style: Sprinkle on poppy seeds for a fun, authentic Chicago-style bun appearance. The piping gel (or honey) will hold the seeds onto the bun. You could also sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds or just leave the buns plain.
  9. Center slice:Use a large serrated knife to split the sponge cake down the center lengthwise. Use sawing motions as you cut to avoid flattening the cake.
Hot Dog Snack Cakes

Next, fill the ‘buns’ with the ‘franks’! I think they look pretty cute at this stage, but a squiggle of yellow buttercream on the franks will double for ‘mustard’ and increase the cute factor.

The red foil stripe plates, cups, and napkins were perfect for serving these funny cakes on, and how cute are the foil “Fresh and Delicious” hot dog packages? I adore them!

All of these goodies are from my favorite party supplies shop on Etsy, hilariously named Cranky Cakes Shop. It’s run by my pal Amanda and I just love her aesthetic for nostalgia and kitsch.

Hot Dog Snack Cakes

I hope these cakes will help you kick off summer with a smile! If you’re not inclined to use the specialty chocolate for the franks, then consider tinting a batch of American buttercream in hot dog hues and piping a thick line between each bun.

I think these would be so fun at a July 4th cookout, and absolutely perfect for National Hot Dog Day, which is July 17th!

Hot Dog Snack Cakes

Heather Baird
These hot dog look-alikes are sure to bring the smiles at your next summer gathering. Homemade golden sponge cakes are filled with chocolate franks and garnished with yellow buttercream ‘mustard’.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3/4 cup 90g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 4 tablespoons 56g unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 large eggs at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup 150g granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 tablespoon piping gel or honey
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 12 ounces white vanilla covering chocolate
  • Gel food colors: red burgundy, yellow, chestnut brown
  • 1/2 cup ready-made buttercream tinted golden yellow

Instructions
 

  • Prepare six 3×6-inch aluminum molds as outlined in the tutorial in this blog post.
  • Make the cakes: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until melted. Set aside.
  • Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat on high speed until foamy, then gradually add half of the sugar (6 tbsp.) and the cream of tartar. Beat to soft peaks. Remove whites to a large bowl.
  • Place the egg yolks in the standing mixer bowl that the whites were beaten in (do not wash bowl) and beat in the remaining sugar (6 tbsp.) Beat on high speed for 5 minutes with a timer set, or until the yolks are pale yellow and thick. Pour the egg whites over the yolks, and then add the flour mixture. Beat on low speed for a few seconds until just combined. Add the reserved melted butter and milk mixture and fold together briefly until no streaks of egg whites remain.
  • Spoon or pipe batter into the molds, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake until the cake tops are golden and feel firm when touched, 20-23 minutes. Let cool and remove from molds by gently unwrapping the aluminum foil. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  • Make the franks: Knead the covering chocolate until smooth. Use gel food colors and gloved hands to knead color into the chocolate. I found the perfect hue by mixing together red and burgundy, with just a touch of golden yellow and chestnut brown. Divide the tinted chocolate into 2-ounce portions and roll under your palms into a 5 inch frank shape.
  • Lightly brush the top golden portions of the sponge cake buns with piping gel. If you don’t have piping gel on hand, use honey or even a tiny bit of corn syrup. Sprinkle on poppy seeds for a fun, authentic Chicago-style bun appearance. (You could also sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds or just leave the buns plain.) Use a large serrated knife to split the sponge cake down the center lengthwise. Use sawing motions as you cut to avoid flattening the cake. Place a chocolate frank into each bun. Transfer yellow buttercream to a disposable piping bag with a small hole snipped in the end. Pipe a squiggle of icing down the center to mimic mustard.
  • Allow the cakes to stand until the buttercream sets, about 5 minutes. Package in cute hot dog wrappers (as shown) or place on a serving tray and cover with plastic wrap.
Keyword april fool’s food, homemade twinkie, mini sponge cakes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Ashley B.
Ashley B.
4 years ago

The hot dog bags!

Jen
Jen
4 years ago

These are amazing! I made hamburger cupcakes for a party years ago (before they were all over the Internet) and people still talk about them. These would be such a hit! And that store is amazing! I love tons of stuff, but the Liberty napkins and cups would probably be my first purchase. ?

Amy W
Amy W
4 years ago

I love the pastel stripe cupcake liners. SO cute!! I’d have no problem spending all $50!! Baking supplies are my weakness!

Carrie's Classics
Carrie's Classics
4 years ago

Those look crazy real! There is so much amazing-ness in the store! I'm super intrigued by the scratch n sniff stickers and the tall gold candles.

Ana Eats Everything
Ana Eats Everything
4 years ago

100% the tiny tree cake toppers! I already have an adorable idea for a forest… black forest cake!

Anonymous
Anonymous
4 years ago

I'd love to purchase the bumble bees and the carrot cake toppers – already know how I'd use them! Wouldn't be difficult to drop a boodle of $$ in that shop… Thanks also for the hot dog snack cakes – what a creation… well done you! From Debbie the NY Baker

Hannah
Hannah
4 years ago

These cakes are so amazingly adorable. They manage to look very realistic without dissuading me from wanting to eat cake! Haha, it's a fine line!

Unknown
Unknown
4 years ago

Hot dog bags and the chocolate for the hot dogs

paddlemama
paddlemama
4 years ago

It would be really hard to decide what to buy with a gift certificate. But I love the confettie balloons!

Bianca
Bianca
4 years ago

i would love to get some new gel colors!!

Ms. Mandy
Ms. Mandy
4 years ago

For the Frank, I think I will either cover a pretzel in the covering chocolate or make a long thin cookie to cover.
I don't really want to bite into a log of covering chocolate or fondant.

Also, I would probably buy some edible decorations. My local cake shop closed and I have been having a hard time finding them.

Caroline
Caroline
4 years ago

Red Bicycle Cake Topper! Big surprise for my bicycling husband’s next birthday. These hot dog cakes are so cute even though I don’t eat real hot dogs!!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
4 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

One of my faves! I have that red bicycle cake topper and I LOVE IT! I've used it many times. So charming.

Cathy
Cathy
4 years ago

The cactus cookie cutters! So cute!

Leah Short
Leah Short
4 years ago

Oh my gosh these are so cute, and so realistic! I would crack up if I saw these at a party! I would totally get that Red Bicycle Cake Topper. I have no idea how I'd do the rest of the cake, but that bike is awesome!

Esther
Esther
4 years ago

My boys would go nuts for the dinosaur paper plates!

Dee Parker
Dee Parker
4 years ago

I would buy a selection of the Meri Meri products in Dusty pink and white – plates, cups, napkins, etc.

HeatherW
HeatherW
4 years ago

I really love the Iridescent Shell Plates for a mermaid party.

HeatherW
HeatherW
4 years ago

I really like the Iridescent Shell Plates for a mermaid party.

Agos
Agos
4 years ago

The hot dogs are so cute! And I'd definitely buy cookie cutters, you can never have too many.

Unknown
Unknown
4 years ago

The vintage vinyl record cake decorations are perfect for my husbands 50th birthday cake! He's an record collector

Anonymous
Anonymous
4 years ago

Thank you for sharing this site. I would definitely get the gold star glitter to put in cakes and cupcakes for special occasions. I am the baker at work and bake cakes for coworker’s birthdays so the candles and plates would be an special addition.

Kate the greedy baker xx
Kate the greedy baker xx
4 years ago

The hot dog cakes are adorable! You have so much imagination for the fun and whimsy in life, looking at your creations gives a good start to my day (and in the past it's made me win cake competitions ha!) Anyway, onto today's competition! I'm quite sure my daughters life would not be complete without the Unicorn Hair Clips and Pegasus Tattoos, whilst I would choose the Vintage Record Player cupcake toppers for my Dad's upcoming 'All things old are AWESOME' themed birthday party. Thanks for the opportunity to win and thanks for being you. Cheers 🙂

Jen L
Jen L
4 years ago

I love the little sugar dog faces so cute!!

Tabby
Tabby
4 years ago

Absolutely adorable…………these will be on my picnic table. TY for sharing the recipe and the giveaway

Unknown
Unknown
4 years ago

The camping cake topper….soooo clever!

Indya
Indya
4 years ago

Oh my goodness, you are an actual genius ? These are INCREDIBLE! They look SUPER realistic. I never would have guessed that the hot dogs were made of chocolate ?

deborahican
deborahican
4 years ago

Thank you for this post, they are so realistic my grand children would love them. I would get these hot dog bags love those. Also the tall gold candles. I could spend some money in that shop she has so great retro and other things I would love to purchase.

Julie
Julie
4 years ago

I love it all but the Vintage Tin Dollhouse Stove is what caught my eye. Round it out with any of the Christmas Santas or deers?

Jun Ishii
Jun Ishii
4 years ago

It is a very cute cake.
I love cranky cakes shop too.
Buy a rose cake topper again!

Jun Ishii
Jun Ishii
4 years ago

It is a very cute cake.
I love cranky cakes shop too.
Buy a rose cake topper again!

Jun Ishii
Jun Ishii
4 years ago

It is a very cute cake.
I love cranky cakes shop too.
Buy a rose cake topper again!

Donna Sue
Donna Sue
4 years ago

Such a great shop! I'd fill my cart with the rocket party supplies and grab the camping cake topper set, too. 🙂

Dimple Patel
Dimple Patel
4 years ago

The scratch and sniff stickers even though I don't have babies!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
4 years ago

I would buy things like the Foil Cupcake Liners as well as the Animal Mini Cupcake Liners (100), Jungle Safari Party Decor .

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬
4 years ago

A couple of things I'd get are the Cat Cake Candles (set of 6), Kitten Birthday Candle Toppers, Meri Meri and the 8 Cat Plates, Kitty Cat Party Decor, Pet Party, Adopt a Kitten Party, Cat Birthday Party, Meow Party, Purr-Fect Party
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net

Lisa K
Lisa K
4 years ago

I especially like the tall gold candles but there's quite a few different cake toppers I would get

Angela p
Angela p
4 years ago

Beautiful work. Very creative and inspiring.

amanda whitley
amanda whitley
4 years ago

my son loves sharks so i would get the Shark Platter (Pack of 4) for his birthday next month

Taylor R
Taylor R
4 years ago

Those sugar skulls are the cutest!

Nicole M.
Nicole M.
4 years ago

Magical princess cupcake kit for my little girl's birthday!