Affiliate Disclosure

Copycat Twinkie

This recipe is not only Paleo, but it is also Vegan and it is so easy to make! It makes 6 treats, so if you are making them for a bigger crowd, double the recipe. I make these in my Granola Bar Pan™*, but I imagine that they will work fine in a standard muffin pan with some baking time adjustment if you want a round version of these treats.

*I recieved my first Granola Bar Pan™ for free from Catrina, its creator, and soon realized that one was not enough not only because of the size of my family, but also because I wanted to be able to make more treats at a time and so I have since purchased my own.

Chilhood Treats

As a child, I did not have many treats by Hostess. My mom packed Little Debbie treats more often and so as an adult I vaguely remember the soft, fluffiness of a Twinkie.

My Mr. Foodie or I will often mention a food from our childhood and a Mini-Foodie will hear its name and repeat it as she asks what it is. We do our best to describe it and I inevitably resolve to replicate it according to our household dietary restrictions so that we can enjoy it as a family.

Enter Food Allergies

As an allergy mama, it breaks my hear to see little ones left out at a party or other gathering whether it be when it comes to food or to play such as with play dough for example. I know that there are many other mamas out there who feel the same way. Now, I am the first one to admit that, nutrionally, we do not NEED dessert treats, but they sure do make life fun, don’t they? In case you missed my post “On Paleo Treats”, check it out here to see my approach when it comes to craving conventioal snacks or treats.

My goal in creating copycat recipes is not to make exact replicas as that is pretty difficult when one is avoiding gluten as well as other allergens. My goal instead is to create a nostalgic recipe that is delicious and satisfying while resembling the original. For this Twinkie recipe, I used my new favorite pan, the Granola Bar™ Pan.

Granola Bar™ Pan

If you have been following me on Instagram, then you know that I think this is an uh.MAZ.ing tool! Why you ask? Here are the reasons in words:

1. European Grade silicone which exceeds FDA regulations.

2. It is stiff, not floppy like many silicone pans and / or molds.

3. It is easy to use especiallly with the bamboo tool.

4. A fellow healthy conscious Mama created it.

Here are some visual reasons:

Copycat Twinkies

Ingredients

• 1 cup paleo All-Purpose Flour*

• 1 ½ tsp. paleo baking powder*

• ½ tsp. baking soda

• 1/8 tsp. sea salt

• 3 Tbsp. palm shortening (or coconut oil)

• ¼ cup coconut sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract or ½ tsp. vanilla powder

• ½ cup non-dairy milk

• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

2. Whisk dry ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Manually beat or whisk shortening / oil, sugar & vanilla until creamy.

4. Measure milk & add ACV in a liquid measuring cup. Pour into creamy mixture - no need to mix yet.

5. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients mixing all until smooth.

6. Scoop batter eenly into 6 wells of Granola Bar Pan.

7. Bake 18 - 22 mins. or until cake springs back whenlightly touched.

8. Remove from oven & set aside to cool complety before filling - or simply freeze until cool.

* Both recipes can be found in my cookbook Pizza, Noodles, Sweets. Oh My!

Coconut Whipped Cream Filling

Ingredients

• solid cream from 1 refrigerated can full-fat coconut milk

• ¼ cup powdered coconut sugar, homemade

• 1 -2 tsp. vanilla extract

Method

1. Whisk all ingredients in large bowl.

2. Place frosting in a pastry bag or a Frosting Bulb.

3. Fill cake with frosting in 3 - 4 holes made using a bamboo skewer. Repeat with each cake & enjoy.

4. Store any leftover filling in refrigertor up to 1 week.

I hope you enjoy these delightful treats. Please leave a comment letting me know how you like them.