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Lemon Twinkles

February 18, 2026 By Gretchen

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Spinning off on the Twinkie with these new lemon Twinkles!

This one boasts a reduced sugar version to suit us well into adulthood!
*lots of people asking how NOT to make this reduced sugar*
PLEASE READ NOTES FOR SUCCESS

Lemon Twinkles

 

Soft and spongy lemon cake filled with reduced sugar buttercream!

Lemon Twinkles

So easy to make and even easier to eat so beware!

Miniature anything has a tendency to disappear way too fast!

Lemon Twinkles

Notes for Success:

You will need a special Twinkie Pan to make these Lemon Twinkles *not sponsored

For those who prefer the vanilla version simply omit the lemon juice and zest replace with more plant milk
However be sure to add 2 teaspoons of vinegar to the milk to help activate the baking soda

Gluten free flour in a 1:1 blend like Bob’s Red Mill can be substituted for the all purpose flour in the same amount as listed *not sponsored
Although I am not an avid gluten free baker I have learned that by allowing the batter to sit for about 30 minutes before baking will help the final texture
As well as baking for an additional 10 to 20 minutes longer than the recipe specifies *this time is dependent upon the size of the pans you are using

If you are not interested in sugar free baking simply use regular granulated sugar

I really only like using Monk Fruit sugar as a replacement in my baking recipes
And I’ve also had good luck with allulose although I do not prefer it as I find it has a bitter and drying aftertaste
Additionally I do not replace the total amount of sugar withe the substitutes sugar since I find it alters the texture a bit too much

Be sure to click through and watch the YouTube video all about Sugar Free Baking

 

As well as my in depth article to help you with low sugar and free baking

Vegan Vanilla Cake Vegan Vanilla Cake Sugar Free & Reduced Oil Recipe

Lemon Twinkles

Lemon Twinkles

Simple one bowl mix for the lemon batter then fill them up with your favorite buttercream!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour hr
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 18 minutes mins
Servings 18

Ingredients
  

For the Cake Batter

  • ¼ cup Granulated Sugar 50g
  • ½ cup Monk Fruit Sugar 100g
  • 6 Tbs Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice 90ml
  • 1 Tbs Lemon Zest 1
  • 1 cup Plant Milk 240ml
  • ½ cup Vegetable Oil 118ml
  • 2⅛ cups All Purpose Flour (2 cups + 2 Tbs) 265g
  • 1½ teaspoons Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¾ teaspoon Lemon Extract

For the Filling

  • OR Your Favorite Buttercream Recipe

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F Lightly Spray your Twinkie Pan
  • Wash then zest your lemons then squeeze out all the juice to make 6 Tablespoons
  • Combine all of the dry cake ingredients including the sugar into a large mixing bowl to whisk by hand
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients & whisk by hand for about 30 strokes until smooth
  • Portion the batter into the Twinkie pan filling 3/4 way to the top & bake for approximately 15-18 minutes or when they are springy to the touch when you gently press the centers
  • Cool the cakes in the pan until you can safely turn them out onto a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way.
  • Meanwhile prepare your buttercream recipe & once the cakes are cooled poke 3 holes into the bottom & pipe some buttercream into each one

Notes

Be sure to read all the notes for success above the recipe 
Storage Lemon Twinkles will stay fresh at room temperature lightly covered for up to 3 days For longer storage refrigerate for up to 1 week Freeze for 1 month wrapped well
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

 

Filed Under: All Recipes, Cake Recipes, Copy Cat Bakery Recipes, Individual Desserts, One Bowl Mixes, Sugar Free Baking

Previous Post: « Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Next Post: Peanut Butter Brownies »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brooklyn

    January 24, 2024 at 12:21 am

    Omg! Can’t wait to make these…..both versions????….at the same time keeping with my diet????

    • Gretchen

      January 24, 2024 at 11:52 am

      I know it’s really bad! LOL The problem with me & Sugar Free baking is that I then eat WAY TOO MUCH ! I think I should stick to the full sugar versions and just eat one piece like I used to!!

      • Irene

        January 27, 2024 at 7:27 pm

        no way, I bake sugar free for my type 1 diabetic grandson so that’s perfect, just now you have to start making more stuff with almond flour as it has less carbs 😉 🙂

    • Eileen

      January 25, 2024 at 5:29 pm

      For some reason monkfruit causes nausea for me. Any other suggestions?

      • Gretchen

        January 25, 2024 at 9:43 pm

        Hi Eileen, I include a “notes for success” section on all of my recipes which includes such topics as substitutions
        From the article:: Of course if you are not interested in sugar free baking simply use regular granulated sugar in place of both sugar amounts listed below
        Or if you DO want to try a sugar free or low sugar version CLICK HERE for more about sugar free baking

  2. jacquie astemborski

    January 25, 2024 at 5:17 pm

    i used to love twinkies! and i love the idea of a lemon less sweet version. However, i don’t have a twinkie pan and really can’t afford one so do you think i could make these in a muffin pan and fill the center?

    thanks.
    jacquie

    • joe

      January 28, 2024 at 6:30 pm

      Why no reply?

  3. joe

    January 26, 2024 at 6:18 pm

    Me too can’t afford to buy the pan for only these. What is the alternative?
    God bless
    Joe

    • Gretchen

      January 29, 2024 at 11:58 am

      Hi Joe! Sorry! I sometimes do not get notifications for these comments ~ it’s very spotty~ sometimes I do sometimes I dont! LOL
      I just saw this ~ So you can bake all the batter into a 8″ x 8″ pan and then cut the thick cake into rectangle shapes for the individual twinkies

  4. Corina

    February 2, 2024 at 3:43 am

    Hello how much more milk should I add to the recipe and how much vinegar? If I don’t want lemon. Please help

    • Gretchen

      February 2, 2024 at 8:13 pm

      You can replace the lemon juice amount with more milk & add 2 tsp vinegar

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Yep, it's me Gretchen~ Owner of Gretchen's Bakery. Well, I no longer own a physical bakery since I sold mine in late 2014 & since 2016 I make nothing but the best vegan recipes! Read More…

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