Hands Down The Best Cake Filling You'll Ever Eat

Cake Filling

Get ready. 

Yes, I know the haters will say this is trash. HA! You make and decide, Boo!

As always, if you'd rather not read the jibber jabber, hit that "jump to recipe" tab and get to nomming.

Hands Down The Best Cake Filling You'll Ever Eat

I'm telling y'all (again!): this is hands down the best cake filling you'll ever eat!

I'm gonna need you to calm yerself before you gaze upon it's creamy light deliciousness.

Ready?

GO!

Hands Down The Best Cake-Filling You'll Ever Eat #cakefilling #bestcakefilling #cake #desserts #ohmrstucker

Don't you want to just grab a spoon and hide in a closet until yer done hoggin' all that cake filling goodness?

No?

WHAT?!

Come On, People - live a little!

It makes me giddy (not even kidding) ever time I see it.

The bonus is it tastes even better than it looks.

#pinkyswear

Let's take another peek:

Hands Down The Best Cake-Filling You'll Ever Eat

There's only one problem with this recipe: I have amnesia.

I have where-did-I-find-this-most-amazing-recipe amnesia.

For that I am truly sorry, because whoever created this deserves a stinkin' cake-filling medal.

Cake Filling

Hands Down The BEST You'll Ever Eat!

Ain't even kidding!

Have you ever read a recipe and were all: Oh, man - I gotta try that.

Soon.

So you grab whatever scrap piece of paper is closest and scribble down the recipe, swearing you'll get to the store, grab the necessary ingredients, and make that bad boy tomorrow?

Yeah. Me too. Twinsies!

Except it took FOREVER before I found the scribbled recipe again and then actually got to the store, grabbed the ingredients and made it.

I had tucked it into my "recipe file" (a giant notebook haphazardly stuffed with scraps of paper) and had promptly forgotten about the nommy nom nom that awaited me.

Then one day, while rummaging through the ridiculously overstuffed notebook for a completely different recipe (and swearing for the thousandth time that I would organize that hot mess), I came across my barely legible chicken scratch on an old-looking piece of paper and pulled it from the abyss to decipher and make.

Lawsy.

Cake Filling Ideas

The Story Of This Life-Changing Cake Filling

To say that day changed my cake filling ways isn't hyperbole, it's the holy truth of what actually happened.

~ clouds parting - angels singing ~

Look at this lovely bowl full of fluffy cake-filling nirvana:

Hands Down The Best Cake-Filling You'll Ever Eat

~ mouth watering...must make again ~

We'll just cut the chit-chat and get right to it, shall we?

Here's the true lowdown on what happened...

Cake Filling Flavors

Not only is this filling delicious on its own, it's ripe for change.

As soon as I made the cake filling, and knew it was gold, my brain immediately started to play around with it for modifications:

  • Cut up fruit and add to filling.
  • Add mini chocolate chips.
  • Flavors, so many flavors of pudding available to try!
  • One flavor filling to fill the cake - another to top the cake.
  • Use on cupcakes!
  • Pancake, waffles and French Toast filling!
  • Make and hide in the back of your fridge - for your spoon only!

Hands Down The Best Cake-Filling You'll Ever Eat

How Cake Filling Changed My Baking Life

* Years ago, I found a filling that spoke to me on paper, but I never got around to making it. I copied it and tucked it away, until now.

* I had a new cake recipe that I wanted to try.

* I thought I'd try the filling too.

* Turned out the filling was so good that I didn't frost the cake, I simply used the filling to fill and top the cake.

* We almost fainted from the sheer joy and deliciousness.

Full Disclosure: We didn't come near to fainting, but if I could have, I would have.

* After I filled and topped the cake, we licked the container clean that held the filling.

Like kids. I had it on my fingers and face and shirt.

I ain't ashamed.

* We ate a piece of cake each and fell in love. With the cake-filling. Cause we're already in love with each other.

Just thought I should clarify.

But, totally feed this to someone whose affection you seek.

It should do the job.

[Tweet "Yep. Cake filling. I'm practically hyperventilating over cake filling. "]

Picky Eaters

This Amazing Cake Filling Concoction For Other's Joy.

My MIL is a picky picky sweets eater and in her later years has taken to a softer foods.

Enter the best cake-filling modified as her fav: banana pudding.

I simply make use the vanilla pudding mix, then add banana slices and finely crumbled vanilla wafers as a topping.

Add a spoon and she's in!

Currently, this is her all time fav sweet to eat.

People. Try this filling. DO IT!

I soooo want to link where I found this bit of cake-filling nirvana, but I don't know to whom the credit belongs.

THANK YOU, ANONYMOUS STRANGER!

If y'all will excuse me, I need to go make filling.

No cake.

Just filling.

Cake Filling Heaven

Sweet sweet filling of the cakes!

Go on now - get to whippin' and stirrin' and lickin' of the spoonin's!

Easy Cake Filling

How Easy Is It To Make This Cake Filling?

Can your pour?

Can you stir?

Can you fold in one more ingredient?

Yes, to all?

That's how easy it is to make.

Let's quit messin' around and get to pouring, stirring and folding.

Custard Cake Filling

Do You Love A Custard Cake Filling?

Have you ever made custard for filling a cake?

There's the heating of milk and carefully adding the eggs - don't add too fast! Do you want to ruin it and have to start all over again?! Sheesh.

There's the constant stirring and babying the mixture.

While the finished product is delicious, you may not have time for the drama, mama!

Honestly, this is as close as you'll get with minimal time and mess.

Let me backtrack just a hair - have you ever had a giant Costco custard filled sheet cake?

You know the ones. They could feed a village and you could still send everyone home with leftovers.

Oh, momma!

I tell anyone who will listen (THAT'S YOU!) that I could eat that filling straight from the vat. 

For my next birthday, y'all can skip the cake (SACRILEGE!) and simply bring me a spoon and a tub o'filling from Costco!

It's addicting.

It's lip-smacking.

It's spoon licking goodness.

As. Is. This. Best. Cake. Filling.

You know you can trust me on this.

Vanilla Cake Filling

Use The Vanilla As A Chocolate Cake Filling

I've used this filling, the vanilla flavor, mostly in my chocolate cakes; the light flavor and texture is perfectly paired with a robust and dense chocolate cake.

Witness:

chocolate cake with white icing and jimmes on orange plate

This is one of the most simple and, dare I say, elegant ways to present a cake.

Simply fill in between the layers and then top cake with filling.

For a fun splash, you can top the cake with anything your imagination offers.

Nothing on a cake says OH MY GOSH, THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD! like a sprinkling of, well, sprinkles.

For my chocolate cakes, I like the delicious crunch and fun appearance of jimmies.

JIMMIES!  (Commonly Known As Sprinkles)

Who doesn't love jimmies?  WHO?!

Fun Fact: Jimmies are the granddaddy of ice cream toppings, and credit for their creation is claimed by Brigham’s, a Boston-area ice cream company in business since 1914. Company records don’t reveal why the miniature chocolate rods (outsiders call them “sprinkles”) were dubbed jimmies. 

Honestly, when I was research I was surprised to learn this fact; I thought the term belonged to the South.

Alrighty, y'all - enough jibber-jabber: To the recipe!

Note: I have included a printable recipe card below for yer stuff-and-forget into your "recipe file" needs. Aren't I swell?

cake filling in a blue bowl

Hands Down the Best Cake Filling You'll Ever Eat

Ingredients:

  • 1 3.9 ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix.
  • 1  cup of milk (use only half the milk called for on box)
  • 1 ½ – 2 cups Cool Whip or whipped heavy cream

Instructions:

  1. Whisk pudding mix with milk.
  2. Place in fridge for about 5 minutes to set.
  3. Fold in Cool Whip or whipped heavy cream (I used 1 ½ cups Cool Whip - one normal-sized tub)
  4. Makes enough to fill and top a two-layer cake.

Note:

Once cake is filled and topped, eat immediately - or - cover and refrigerate.

cake filling in a blue bowl

 

cake filling in blue bowl

Hands Down The Best Cake-Filling You'll Ever Eat

Yield: Enough to fill and top a two-layer cake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Hands down the best light and fluffy cake-filling I've ever made or eaten. Get ready for a cake-filling, cupcake-topping, spoon-eating recipe to end all recipes.

4.4 Stars (1141 Reviews)

Ingredients

  • 1 3.9 ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix.
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 ½ – 2 cups Cool Whip or whipped heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Whisk pudding mix with milk.
  2. Place in fridge for about 5 minutes to set.
  3. Fold in Cool Whip or whipped heavy cream (I used 1 ½ cups Cool Whip - one normal-sized tub)
  4. Makes enough to fill and top a two-layer cake.

Notes

Once cake is filled and topped, eat immediately - or - cover and refrigerate.

Options:

* Cut up fruit and add to filling.

* Add mini chocolate chips.

* Flavors, so many flavors of pudding available to try!

* One flavor filling to fill the cake – another to top the cake.

* Use on cupcakes!

* Pancake, waffles and French Toast filling!

IMPORTANT: The nutritional info does not take into account how much per spoonful you sneak.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 slice cake
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 55mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information can vary.

Original Post: October 2, 2017. Updated: May 2, 2025

Tired of searching for a popular OMT! recipe?

Rest yer weary fingers.

Except to click on the image.

You still have enough strength for that.

COME ON!

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

If you liked this cake filling post, here are three others you might like!

The Best 1-2-3-4 Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Make

The 1 2 3 4 Cake is an American classic. If you've never tried it, you're missing out on cake history!

a 1-2-3-4 cake on a white cake pedestal

The Best Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

Truly a Texas classic. This cake cures homesickness, soothes a broken heart, and is offered at every event imaginable in the South.

Doesn't hurt that it's addictive!

A cut piece of The Best Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

Manhattan Cheesecake is the Last Cheesecake Recipe You'll Ever Need

Folks in New York love this cheesecake and now you can too. It's our family go-to for birthdays.

It takes a bit of time to make, but it's not difficult (hardest part is letting it sit in fridge overnight for the flavors to marry).

a closeup of a slice of cheesecake on a plate

Now you have four great recipes to try!

Thank you for reading and trying this recipe: Hands Down The Best Cake Filling You'll Ever Eat

Tell me what you think!

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387 Comments

  1. I love this filling. I have made it for years as a base for my banana pudding. I have added cream cheese to it also and that is an amazing filling in cream puffs and pastries too. Thank you for sharing. I totally agree with you!!

  2. If I am using whipping heavy cream, Do I need to whip the cream into peaks before adding?
    Or just throw it in after the 5 minutes and just use from there...?

      1. They all sound GREAT! Anybody make they old recipe called Mandarin Orange Cake? Slight variation in a box of yellow cake. Small can of mandarins in place of the water. And small can of crushed pineapple to your mixture. AWSOME! Always make it for Easter Brunch. The Icebox Eclair one is another old fave!!! Really feel sorry for the countries that don't have Jello!!! My friend used to bring a Bunch when she visited family in Norway. And mayo!

        1. The Mandarin Orange Cake sounds perfect for Easter! (no Jello puddin'?! nooooo!) At least they can make mayo.

  3. This filling sounds wonderful! Just curious if the cake much be refrigerated. How would this work for a filling for a wedding cake?

    1. Honestly, I do refrigerate the cake if there is anything to put in the fridge - it usually doesn't last too long!

      Not sure how it would be for a bigger cake. My only suggestion is to experiment. Cake testing - poor you!

  4. I have been using this for many years. I pair it with an Italian sponge cake. In my family we term it “The 3 day cake”. Day 1- prepare the filling. Day 2- make the sponge cake, fill it, and do a light coating of whipped cream frosting. Day 3- do final frosting and decorate. The longer the filling soaks into the cake, the better it is. I have always used the vanilla and (same recipe) chocolate filling. I am famous at work for this and my whipped cream frosting ?

  5. Oh yes ma'am! I am doing this! And I appreciate your permission to hide some for spoons only! Who needs cake when you have filling like this!

  6. I have been looking for a good cake filling recipe, and this just might be the one! Thank you for sharing!

  7. Are you saying 1.5 cups of milk or .5 cups of milk? I used 1.5 and the pudding never set in the fridge.

    1. 1 1/2 cups of milk. This is for the large box of instant pudding, which is half the amount the box instructions call for.

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