The easiest copycat Hostess cupcakes recipe! Cake mix, marshmallow cream filling and dipped in chocolate ganache. These are the real deal! Our FAVORITE cupcakes! This post contains affiliate links.
You might also like our easy lemon loaf cake or mini bundt cakes!
Watch our step by step video!
What is about Hostess cupcakes the makes them so delicious? I love the delicious marshmallowy filling and ganache coating. They’ve been at the top of my list of copycat recipes to conquer and my kids were thrilled to come along for the ride.
The EASIEST Hostess Cupcakes To Make
This Hostess cupcakes recipe IS THE REAL DEAL. Made with cake mix, marshmallow creme and a super easy chocolate ganache icing. They are always a crowd please because EVERYONE recognizes the signature curly cues!
I blended my favorite marshmallow frosting recipe from Lil Luna, my EASY chocolate glaze from my biscuit donut recipe, the basic royal icing recipe from my Pop Tart Gingerbread houses, and the simplicity of a cake mix to create these iconic treats.
What makes these the easiest Hostess cupcakes to make?
- Boxed cake mix: Unless you have a diet restriction and need to substitute out the basic ingredients, just use a cake mix. It’s my biggest tip for making cakes at home. I took a cake decorating class years ago and my instructor let us in on her secret. She used cake mixes for most of the cakes that she made in her bakery. I’ve been doing this ever since and my cakes always turnout great!
- 3 second filling technique: my technique for filling cupcakes literally takes 3 seconds per cupcake. So easy! Use a piping bag and tip! I like using a #21 star tip, available at most craft stores.
- Simple ganache made from chocolate chips: No need to use fancy chocolate. Chocolate chips work just fine! For the recipe I highly suggest using semi-sweet.
Hostess Cupcakes Ingredients
You’ll need the following to make a batch of our favorite cupcakes:
Cake
- boxed cake mix (dark chocolate)
- eggs
- oil
- water
Filling
- marshmallow creme (the entire jar)
- powdered sugar
- butter
- vanilla
Ganache
- chocolate chips
- milk
- honey
- butter
Icing
- powdered sugar
- water
You’ll also want to pick up a #21 star frosting tip, a #5 (or just cut the corner off of a frosting bag) and pastry bags.
Make sure to watch my video to see how easy it is to fill the cupcakes with the marshmallow frosting.
Cake mixes always claim that each box makes 24 cupcakes. I don’t buy it. You can expect to get 20-22 cupcakes from this recipe. They are delicious served at room temperature. Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.
Copycat Hostess Cupcakes Recipe

The Easiest Hostess Cupcake Recipe
Equipment
- 2 pastry (frosting) bags
- #21 frosting tip
- #5 frosting tip
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup oil
- 3 eggs
Marshmallow Creme Filling
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 7 oz. marshmallow creme 1 tub
Chocolate Ganache Icing
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 1 Tbsp. honey
Swirl Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4-5 teaspoons water
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan(s) with 20 cupcake liners.
- Mix cake mix, oil, eggs and water on low for 30 seconds.Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Divide batter amongst cupcake liners. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.
Marshmallow Filling
- Beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla together until whipped and creamy. Stir in marshmallow creme by hand.
- Fill a pastry bag with icing and a star tip (#21).
- How to fill a cupcake with marshmallow creme: Insert frosting tip into the center of the cupcake and press/squeeze for 3 seconds or until the cupcake puffs up slightly.
Chocolate Ganache
- Place chocolate chips, butter, honey and milk in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat an additional 10 seconds if necessary. Stir.
- Dip the top of each cupcake in chocolate ganache. Allow excess to drip off. If ganache cools and begins to thicken, simply reheat for 10 seconds and stir.
- Allow ganache to set up for 15 minutes before adding decorating icing.
Decorating Icing (Royal Icing)
- Mix powdered sugar and water together. Start with 3 teaspoons of water and add more, 1/2 teaspoon at a time until desired consisteny is achieved. 5 tespoons works well for me.Fill a pastry bag with icing and a round tip (#5) or simply cut the corner off of the bag to create a small hole for piping the icing.
- Decorate the tops of the cupcakes by piping on swirls all the way across.
- This recipe makes 20-22 cupcakes.
Where do you find jumbo cupcake liners, a tin, and the cupcake recipe? I am going to have some very happy teachers. 🙂
Hi Angela!
You can get the jumbo cupcake pan at Walmart. It holds 6 cupcakes so it’s nice to have 2. 1 box of cake mix will make 6-8 cupcakes. The liners can be purchased at Michael’s. Joanns has the pans too (ours here did at least)and you might even be able to use a 40% coupon for one. I’m sure they would have the liners as well. Hope that helps!
Thanks. I will look.
How do you get a boxed cupcake mix to not flatten on the top?
Ooo, that looks really good! I’d like to invite you to link up to Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy Little Lady!
http://www.sassylittlelady.com/blog/show-and-tell-saturday/show-and-tell-saturday-4-plus-a-giveaway
Kathie
You do realize you cannot talk about Ghirardhelli without sharing what you make right??? I will be sure to send you my address for future reference. I am hosting a bridal shower and have been concerned about what chocolate to use…not anymore!!
I just have to find who sells this!
Thanks bunches…
Jackie P
Haha! Hi Jackie! I buy the Ghirardelli melting chocolates at Sam’s Club in the big bags. I usually stock up around Christmastime and am not sure if they carry it year round. You can get smaller bags of it at some grocery stores too.
Ohh Sams Club! Thanks for heads up, I will be stocking up, the shower won’t be till next spring so I am in good shape. I also have a chocolate fountain..will have to do some research to see how well it will do in that. If so…I am really going to have to stock up!
Thanks bunches!!!
Jackie P
No problem! I was at Sam’s club tonight and didn’t see them in the baking section. I wonder if it is a holiday thing, but I think you can get them in the baking sections at grocery stores still (just smaller bags). Good luck!!