Twizzlers Cake

What is Twizzlers Cake?

This cake is based around the Greatest Candy on Earth, ie, TWIZZLERS! Can you tell I’m biased?!  The red licorice flavored ropes are just the one candy I can never get enough of.  This particular cake combines red velvet cake, homemade red licorice flavored cream cheese icing, traditional Twizzlers and Strawberry Twizzlers Pull and Peels…all the good stuff!

I feel like this cake would be great for Christmas or Valentine’s Day due to the red and white color scheme; however, it is really a seasonless dessert that could be enjoyed for any celebration.  Or, maybe just on a day you need a delicious cake, no judgment here!

What are the ingredients in Twizzlers cake?

Here is what you will need to make this amazing cake at home:

• A boxed red velvet cake mix and any required ingredients (eggs, oil, butter, etc)
• Softened butter (I used plant-based butter, but any type you prefer should be fine)
• Neufchatel cheese
• Red licorice flavoring
• Salt
• Powdered sugar
• Milk (I used 2%, just use what you have on hand)
• Traditional Twizzlers
• Strawberry Pull and Peel Twizzlers
• Red sprinkles (optional)

How do I make a Twizzlers Cake?

While this cake involves a bit more work than most of our recipes, none of the steps are overly complicated.  Bakers of nearly any level should be able to easily accomplish winning results by following these steps:

• Begin by following the boxed cake directions to make 2, round 9” cakes, adding any needed ingredients as indicated on the package.  Set aside briefly to cool on a wire rack and then remove from the pans.  Allow to fully cool before moving forward with the frosting and decorating process.
• Next, it is time to make the frosting.  You can begin on this step before the cakes have fully cooled or even while they are baking.
  • Begin by beating the softened butter in a medium-large mixing bowl until smooth which should take around 2 minutes.  Add the softened neufchatel cheese and continue to mix until well combined.
  •   Next add the red licorice flavoring, the salt and the powdered sugar.  Mix until smooth.  If the frosting it too thick, it can be thinned with a bit of milk, added slowly.
• Now, its time to decorate your cake!  Here is how I made the cake pictured here.  I think it’s cute, but professional baker, I am NOT.  Feel free to take some styling liberties, and then show me your masterpieces!  The taste will be there and, I’m sure your Twizzlers Cake will look amazing.  Here is what I did:
  • Line a serving platter or cake stand with strips of parchment paper.  You will want to use individual strips instead of an entire sheet so they can easily be removed from beneath the cake once you are finished with the frosting process.  
  • Frost the sides of and top of the cake with the red licorice flavored icing.  
  • Cut the regular Twizzlers in thirds.  Line up around the edges of the cake.  Pressing gently into the frosting to make sure they stick.
  • Next, separate the Twizzlers Pull and Peels into individual strands.  Twirl to create a swirl effect in the direction you want them to go.  Begin at the center of the cake and swirl with a spiral of the thickness you desire until you reach the outer edge.
  • Optionally, top with red sprinkles.

Other ideas for Styling your Twizzlers Cake?

As I’ve said before, baking isn’t my top skill, but here are a few other looks I considered trying which I will share just in case is helps to spark some ideas:

• Chop it:  Chop up all of the standard Twizzlers and the Pull & Peels (separated or not).  Sprinkle evenly either over the top or all around the top and sides of the cake.
• Shape Shift: Round cake pans are just an option.  Consider trying square, oval, bundt, star, whatever strikes your fancy.  Star, while swapping the red sprinkles for blue, might be really cute for Fourth of July.
• Weave it:  I was thinking of attempting a basket-weave style with the traditional Twizzlers to top the cake and then do more sprinkles or Pull & Peel Strips around the edges.
• Starburst:  Leave the edges as directed, but instead of swirling the Pull & Peels, consider lining them across the cake in a starburst or asterisk style. 

Twizzlers Cake

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Ingredients

  

• 1 box red velvet cake mix including all ingredients required to make the cake
• ½ cup butter softened
• 8 oz neufchatel cheese softened
• 1 dram red licorice flavoring
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 Tbs milk if needed
• 1 package strawberry Twizzlers twists
• 1 small package strawberry Twizzlers pull and peel
• Red sprinkles

Instructions

 

• Prepare the red velvet cake as directed on the package in 2, 9” round cake pans.
• Set aside to cool for 10 minutes and then remove to a wire cooling rack to fully cool.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the butter for approximately 2 minutes, until smooth. Add the neufchatel and continue to mix until well combined.
• Add the red licorice flavoring, the salt and the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.
• If the mixture is too thick, add a Tbsp or two of milk.
• Place strips of parchment paper on a serving platter and top with one of the cake layers. Add some frosting to the top and then add the other cake layer.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake.
• Cut the Twizzlers twists in approximately thirds. Line them up around the sides of the cake.
• Separate the Twizzlers twists into individual strands. One by one, twirl the strands around a spoon to create a twist effect in the direction you wish for them to go.
• Begin at the center of the cake and create a spiral, adding new strips as needed until you reach the outside of the cake.
• Sprinkle with red sprinkles.