Description
These DIY Zebra Snack Cakes are a sweet, nostalgic copycat of Little Debbie’s beloved treat—fluffy vanilla cake layered with marshmallow filling, dipped in white chocolate, and drizzled with chocolate stripes. Perfect for baking with friends, gifting, or selling at bake sales.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons milk
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup marshmallow creme
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coating:
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate or white candy melts
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate or chocolate chips (for stripes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and milk. Combine dry and wet ingredients.
- Bake: Pour batter into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan and bake for 15–18 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Make the Filling: Beat marshmallow creme, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
- Cut & Fill: Cut cake into uniform shapes. Pipe or spread filling on half the pieces and sandwich with remaining cake pieces.
- Coat: Melt white chocolate and dip or spoon over each cake. Let set on parchment.
- Decorate: Drizzle with melted dark chocolate to create zebra stripes. Allow to set fully at room temp or chill briefly.
Notes
- Use quality chocolate: For best coating and taste, avoid overheating during melting.
- Cool completely: Before adding filling, let cakes cool to prevent melting.
- Customization: Add jam swirls, tint the chocolate, or shape cakes for holidays.
- Chill before storing: Especially if stacking or wrapping the snack cakes.
- Storage: Keep in airtight container at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate up to a week.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 snack cake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg