CHOCOLATE TWINKIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350; grease a 13x9 pan.
• In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, shortening, vanilla and eggs; beating until very smooth.
• In a separate bowl, combine remaining DRY ingredients; set aside.
• Pour milk into a measuring cup.
• In three or four portions, alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the sugar mixture in the mixing bowl, beating well after each addition; scrape sides of bowl, and beat for one more minute (or so).
• Pour into prepared pan, smooth out the top, smack pan firmly against countertop (removes bubbles), two or three times.
• Pop it into the oven; bake for 25-30 minutes (springy top or clean toothpick); cool 5-8 minutes on rack.
• While cake is cooling, prepare filling: Cream butter & shortening, then add sugars, then milk, vanilla and lemon extract; beat until very fluffy & creamy; set aside.
• When cake is cooled, use bread-cutting (serrated) knife and slice in half, depth-wise.
• Remove top half of cake (slide hands between two layers and lift up--voila!); liberally spread filling over the bottom section, keeping edges clean.
• Place top half of cake on filling, press gently.
• Cover and allow to sit for a day to develop flavors (and to test your willpower!); altho' we've had good results eating right away!
• This recipe is easily halved and made in an 8- or 9-inch pan, too (and much easier to do the filling!).
• Cut into rectangles to sort-of resemble the traditional twinkie-cake shape.

Steps:

• Cut 10 of the Twinkies in half lengthwise and arrange standing upright, filling side in, around a 4-quart trifle bowl or a deep glass bowl.
• In a bowl, combine the pudding mix and milk and stir according to the package instructions.
• Crumble the remaining 10 Twinkies, reserving 1/2 cup for the topping.
• Place half of the Twinkie crumbs in the bottom of the trifle bowl.
• Layer with half of the chocolate syrup, half of the pudding, half of the whipped topping, and half of the crushed candy bars.
• Repeat the layers of Twinkie crumbs, syrup, pudding, and whipped topping.
• Combine the remaining crushed candy bars with the reserved 1/2 cup Twinkie crumbs and sprinkle over the trifle.
• Refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours before serving.