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This Sno Ball Cake is what we’re discussing today because it’s delicious! And cute.
When I’m recipe testing, I like to prop up my computer on a cutting board and watch trashy television. It helps cake and pie and cookie failures go down a bit easier.
Oh and my standards for trashy tv are SO low. It has been everything from Say Yes to the Dress (the Atlanta season is my favorite) to Rich Kids of Beverly Hills (oof!) to what I’m currently watching, Teen Mom.
Hostess Sno Ball Cakes
This cake, inspired by my childhood favorite (the sno ball!) was created thinking of those afternoons when I’d ride my bike to the corner store and buy sno balls in those plastic packets.
I’d usually get an iced cold coke and consume those two together. I’d go home and my mom would always ask me, “Did you ruin your dinner?” And I’d shake my head and hope my teeth weren’t brown from all the chocolate. Those were the best of times. Everything was so simple!
The Breakdown of a Hostess Sno Ball
In case you’re unfamiliar with a sno ball, allow me to elaborate. They’re a fist-sized chocolate cake round filled with marshmallow fluff. On the outside they are rolled tightly in electric pink coconut flakes.
The bright pink color pops out at you while you’re scanning the sugar for what type of sugar to consume. It really draws you in!
This cake is inspired by that treat. So here’s how it’s made up:
– The cake is a three layer (6-inch) cake. We have options though. If you don’t have 6-inch cake pans (no worries), make this in two (8-inch) cake pans.
– This super quick chocolate cake is covered in marshmallow frosting.
– This frosting is so fluffy and delicious.
– Coconut flakes are mixed and rubbed together with a teeny amount of red food coloring.
– And then they’re all on the sides and tops of the cake making it look like a gigantic Sno Ball!
This cake would make a great birthday cake, shower cake, “it’s just Saturday” cake. If you try it, give me a shout on Instagram.
Sno Ball Cake
Equipment
- 3 (6-inch) cake pans OR 2 (8-inch) cake pans
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, shaken
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
7-Minute Frosting:
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup white granulated
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Coconut Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 drops red food coloring
Instructions
To Make the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 6-inch cake pans or two 8-inch cake pans. This batter is sticky so I also lined the bottoms with parchment. I highly recommend this. You don’t want to bake the whole thing up and have it stick. Set the pans aside. See below for link as to how to bake cake layers flat. I do this every single time and it’s SO helpful. Also, I own only two 6-inch cake pans and I baked up the first two layers first and then the third last. The batter was a-ok to do this!
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand-up mixer (with the paddle attachment), add the all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix until combined. Next, crack in the egg and egg yolk, pour in the buttermilk, warm water, olive oil and vanilla. Mix until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth, about 1 minute. The batter will be thinner than cake batter that you’re probably used to—that’s ok!
- Divide the cake batter amongst the cake pans and transfer to the oven to bake for 27 to 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Clean out the bowl you used to make the cake and dry it thoroughly. While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting.
To Make the Frosting:
- In large metal bowl, whisk together the water, sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt. Set bowl over pan of barely simmering water and mix with handheld electric mixer at low speed. Gradually increase speed to high, beating until mixture holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer bowl from pan to folded kitchen towel on counter and continue beating until mixture is cool and billowy, about 2 minutes more. Beat in vanilla. (Frosting can be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.)
To Make the Coconut Topping:
- Add the coconut flakes and red food coloring to a bowl. (I ended up covering my hands with a ziplock bag so I wouldn’t get food coloring all over my hands.) Mix the coconut flakes and red food coloring together until evenly distributed. I liked mine to be baby pink. If you want bright pink, you may need to buy neon food coloring.
To Assemble the Cake:
- Add a few tablespoons of frosting to the center of one of the rounds of cake. Smooth it around, until it reaches the edges. Place the second layer on top. And then place another few tablespoons of frosting to the center of the second round of cake. Smooth it around. Add the third layer. Add more frosting the top and the sides, smoothing it out the best you can. (Since we’re adding coconut flakes, it doesn’t have to be perfect.)
- Press the coconut flakes to the sides, going all the way around. And add coconut flakes to the top of the cake. Slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love this combo. I made the cupcake version a while back and they were so good. I love the idea of a whole cake. I’m not one for much reality tv but I do like say yes to the dress. My favorites are always those blood and guts ER tv shows. Right up my alley. Maybe not while baking though.
Haha “not while baking”
dude, i’ve never had a sno (snow?) ball before. do u hate me.
never!
Chocolate, coconut, AND PINK?! Complete triple threat. And my trashy tv is totally Dance Moms, I’m simulataneously disgusted and in awe at the same time.
oh i’ve watched like one episode of dance moms. it’s crazy.
Ohhh girl, I do this too! Since I do my baking after I get home from work, I need something mindless and entertaining. I will watch ALL the Bravo shows (Real Housewives of everywhere on the planet), Say Yes to the Dress (Randy is my fav), and maybe even Married at First Sight? (weird, but kind of interesting).
me too me too. (never watched married at first sight but kinda want to now!)
Hi, I don’t see the link for flat cake layers?
Just added it!
Thank you! It’s crazy that you posted this today. My bff’s bday is tomorrow and I usually make her this amazing triple coconut cake. (She and I are mildly obsessed with coconut.) But she is a junk food person, and loves those damn snoballs. I always tell her how gross they are with all the preservatives, so she challenged me to make one. This was MONTHS ago. This is the first time I have visited your site, and what’s the first thing I see? This recipe! Sorry, short story long. But I love your site so far, and thanks for the post! 😀
Hahaha. That’s amazing! I haven’t eaten a real sno ball is YEARS. I probably won’t. I’m not sure I can get past the ingredient list. Hopefully she loves da cake! xoxo
I ALWAYS watch trashy tv when I’m recipe testing! (/editing photos/doing dishes/taking baths/eating lunch…so basically all the time?) It’s usually the Kardashians and old episodes of The Hills, but I now feel inspired to get on Teen Mom, stat…
Watching trashy tv and baking is one of my favourite things to do. EVER! I love the look and sound of this lovely cake! Definitely saving 🙂
Sno-ball cake was such a genius idea! Plus its cute enough to double as an easter cake.
My favorite trashy TV is Real Housewives (ATL represent!) but last year we ditched cable and I’ve yet to discover trashy reality TV there (its better if I don’t).
Oh yeah! I forgot that Easter was coming! ATL is my favorite franchise.
I SO agree with you on the teen mom part: I always wonder what made the girls fall in love with these jerks in the first place! How is it possible to be so mean to each other after you’d loved so deeply… Anyway, love the pictures of the cake and I really hope to one day be able to create something as pretty as this. Well done!
This recipe looks awesome. I loved Sno Balls when I was growing up! I’ll definitely give your recipe a try very soon.