Twinkie Trees & Ding Dong Ornaments

“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Hostess blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.”

So let’s get one thing straight, shall we? I love me some Hostess! Growing up, I was pretty much on a strict Twinkie-a-day diet… and they’re still one of my absolute favorite guilty-pleasure foods!

And if there’s one thing I love more than Hostess Snacks, it’s transforming these classic cakes into fantastic, delicious desserts that use Hostess products as the base. I’ve made Tiramisu and Truffles using Twinkies, and now I’m making Christmas trees and ornaments! (And between you and me, these may be my favorite Twinkie and Ding Dong treats yet!)

If there’s one memory from the holidays that I love, it’s the times I would decorate cookies and gingerbread houses with my family. We’d play Elvis Christmas music and sprinkle, frost, dip and eat to our heart’s content. Decorating these Hostess Snacks brought me back to my childhood and instantly reminded me of the fun I had decorating, and the best part: eating my masterpiece after it was all said & done 🙂 But whether or not you eat these immediately or keep them around a little bit as a gorgeous, unexpected (edible) centerpiece or star of the dessert table is totally up to you!

First up, let’s talk Twinkie Trees. Aren’t they adorable?!

For these, simply slide a cake pop or lollipop stick into an unwrapped Twinkie. The Twinkie is the perfect vertical vessel for these picture-perfect chocolate trees. Freeze the Twinkies while you make your trees using green candy coating, sprinkles and other assorted candies — this is the most fun part for the kids! You could make your trees bright and colorful like I did, or use simpler colors like sparkling silver or gold, for something more classic and refined. Then simply squiggle on some leftover candy melts directly onto the Twinkie, attach the tree, and voila! Easy as pie.. er, as Twinkie. 🙂

As for the Ding Dong Ornaments? Simple!

Pop some unwrapped Ding Dongs into the freezer to harden a bit. Once they’re nice and solid, melt some white candy coating and give the Ding Dongs a nice, hot bath in the white chocolate coating. Lift them out to allow excess coating to drip off, then return them to a baking sheet to decorate! Attach a Rolo candy for the top of the ornament, then use candies and sprinkles to create magical, one-of-a-kind ornaments that you can eat! 

Are you hungry yet?!

Print Recipe

4.86 from 7 votes

Twinkie Trees & Ding Dong Ornaments (& A #HostessHoliday Sweeps!)

These adorable Twinkie Trees and Ding Dong Ornaments are simple to make and taste fabulous! Wow your guests with these impressive treats that are a blast to make with the kids!

Prep Time1 hr 30 mins

Total Time1 hr 30 mins

Course: Treats

Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

• FOR TWINKIE TREES:
• Hostess Twinkies
• Green Candy Coating/Candy Melts
• Assorted Sprinkles and Candies like Mini M&M's
• Lollipop Sticks
• FOR DING DONG ORNAMENTS:
• Hostess Ding Dongs
• White Candy Coating like CandiQuik
• Assorted Sprinkles and Candies like Mini M&M's
• Rolo Candies

Instructions

• FOR TWINKIE TREES:
• Gently slide a lollipop stick into the bottom of an unwrapped Twinkie about 1/2 way through. Place the Twinkie pops onto a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer until firm, about 1-2 hours.
• While the Twinkies firm up, make your trees. Melt the green candy coating according to package directions, until smooth & melted. Place the melted green candy into a piping bag attached with a small circular tip, or in a squeeze bottle (recommended). Pipe Christmas-tree shapes onto a piece of wax paper, then fill them in with the green candy coating. Use a toothpick to smooth out the trees or add more definition and texture. Immediately top with candies, sprinkles, etc. to decorate the trees. Allow the trees to harden, then gently peel off from the wax paper. *Note: you could trace tree shapes onto the wax paper prior to piping to help with a uniform shape. Consider using a tree-shaped cookie cutter to help act as a template.
• Once Twinkies are firm, pipe the remaining green candy coating on top of the Twinkie lengthwise. Gently attach the Christmas tree to the Twinkie and allow it to set.
• FOR DING DONG ORNAMENTS:
• Place unwrapped Ding Dongs onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Place in freezer to briefly firm up the Ding Dongs, about 1 hour.
• Melt the white chocolate candy coating according to package directions, or until smooth and melted. Dunk the Ding Dongs completely into the melted white chocolate, then lift up the Ding Dongs with a fork and allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place on the baking sheet. Attach a Rolo to the top of the ornament, and use candies and sprinkles to decorate the ornament to your liking. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.

If you thought eating these adorable creations was the best part, you’re in for an extra-sweet treat! Hostess is hosting a #HostessHolidaySweeps Pinterest Sweepstakes! All you have to do is enter Hostess’ fabulous Pinterest Sweepstakes HERE to win fantastic prizes, including Hostess Products and up to $1,000! (Hint: $1,000 can buy a lot of Zingers…) Be sure to follow Hostess on PINTEREST to see beautiful tablescape, decorating and baking ideas for the holidays & more!

And you can also enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win $100 to Walmart, where I found all of my Hostess products and whom I think has the largest selection of Hostess Snacks!

Connected with Hostess! 

You can also follow them on TWITTER, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, TUMBLR, & YOUTUBE for more great ideas, recipes, news & more!

Have a super sweet day!!

xo, Hayley