Homemade Twinkies

Ingredients:

• For the Twinkies:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the Filling:
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Twinkie pan or mini loaf pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar together until pale and thick.
4. Stir in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain.
8. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans, filling each about two-thirds full.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
11. For the filling: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the vegetable shortening and softened butter together until smooth.
12. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
13. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
14. Assembly: Once the cakes are completely cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a round tip to inject the filling into each cake through three holes on the bottom.
15. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Enjoy!