Twinkie Ghosts Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a super fun, easy, and insanely adorable spooky treat, then trust me, this Twinkie Ghosts Recipe is a fan-freaking-tastic choice. I absolutely love how these little ghosts come together with just a few simple ingredients, and they’re perfect for Halloween parties or any time you want a cute dessert with minimal fuss. Stick around because I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to get these fluffy, sugary ghosts just right!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s pretty much a no-brainer: the ingredients come together beautifully to create those fluffy white ghosts. The Twinkies offer that soft texture and creamy filling you want, while the powdered sugar turns them ghostly white and makes everything super festive.

• Twinkies: I always grab classic Twinkies – their cream filling is essential for that soft ghost shape and the sweet center makes every bite perfect.
• Black writing gel: This is your go-to for the ghost’s spooky little mouths; it sticks well to the Twinkie and gives you great control for drawing.
• Powdered sugar: Use a fine powdered sugar so it dusts evenly over the Twinkies—this is what really turns them into ghosts!
• Small candy eyeballs: These are what bring the faces to life. If you can’t find these, don’t worry—I’ll share alternatives below.

Variations

I love making the Twinkie Ghosts Recipe my own by playing around with colors and little details. It’s such an easy canvas for creativity that you can keep things classic or go wild—and don’t worry, I’ll share some ideas that worked great for me.

• Colorful Mouths: I once tried orange and green gel for the mouths instead of black, and it added a cool, fun twist for a kid’s party!
• Eye Alternatives: When candy eyeballs are out of stock, black mini chocolate chips or a small dot of black gel work surprisingly well.
• Flavored Powdered Sugar: Lightly mixing in some cinnamon or pumpkin spice into the powdered sugar gave a subtle seasonal vibe I know you’ll appreciate.
• Ghostly Expression Variations: I encourage you to experiment with different mouth shapes—some ghosts smile, others frown—makes the display more fun!

How to Make Twinkie Ghosts Recipe

Step 1: Halve Your Twinkies

First up, unwrap your Twinkies carefully—try not to tear them too much because you’ll want a neat surface for your ghost. Then, slice each Twinkie in half widthwise. This is the easiest way to get 20 little ghost bodies from 10 Twinkies. I usually use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to keep them neat and avoid squashing the cream filling inside.

Step 2: Draw the Ghost Mouth

Using your black writing gel, freehand a circle or an oval for the mouth on each Twinkie half. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—ghosts are spooky, not symmetrical! I like to make the mouths a little larger than I think I need because the powdered sugar will obscure it, and we’ll fix that in the next step.

Step 3: Dust with Powdered Sugar

Here’s where the magic really happens. Stick a fork or wooden skewer into the cream at the center of the Twinkie (this helps you hold it without touching the cake’s surface). Then dust powdered sugar evenly all over the Twinkie until none of the yellow cake shows through. If you have a powdered sugar shaker or a dusting wand, use it—it’s SO much easier to get a smooth, even coat. I’ve used a spoon before, but it’s tricky to get an even layer that way.

Step 4: Reveal the Mouth

Grab a toothpick and gently trace along the shape of the mouth you drew before dusting. This motion removes powdered sugar from the mouth area without smudging the black gel underneath. Trust me, it’s a little bit of a delicate dance, but if you keep the circular motion, your ghost’s mouth will pop right out and look perfect.

Step 5: Add the Eyes

Use your black gel to paint a tiny dot on the back of each candy eyeball—this helps “glue” them onto the powdered sugar. Then gently press the eyes onto the Twinkie ghosts. I find it easiest to position them while holding the ghost steady with the fork or skewer. If you’re short on candy eyes, no sweat—black gel dots or mini chocolate chips make great substitutes.

Step 6: Repeat and Serve!

Now just rinse and repeat all these steps for the remaining Twinkie halves. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole team of friendly ghosts ready to spook and delight. I promise every bite is light, creamy, and utterly satisfying.

How to Serve Twinkie Ghosts Recipe

Garnishes

I love setting these up on a platter with a few extra candy eyeballs scattered around for a playful vibe. Sometimes I add small plastic spider rings or Halloween sprinkles nearby to make the presentation extra festive. A light scatter of edible glitter sugar can give the ghosts a little sparkle that kids adore.

Side Dishes

Twinkie Ghosts pair beautifully with simple sides like fresh apple slices or some cinnamon-spiced fruit cups for a balanced snack. If it’s a party, I like to serve them alongside a chilled punch or hot apple cider to complement the sweet flavors nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these is by setting them inside small clear cups with a “fog” effect using dry ice or cotton candy to look like a ghostly mist. Another time, I arranged them on a tiered stand decorated with Halloween-themed napkins and mini pumpkins—everyone was so impressed and it made serving a breeze!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Twinkie Ghosts in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to 2 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long around my house! Just be mindful that the powdered sugar might absorb some moisture and look less fluffy over time.

Freezing

Freezing these ghosts isn’t my usual move because the texture of Twinkies changes a bit, but if you do freeze them, wrap each ghost individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving for best results.

Reheating

Since there’s no baking involved, reheating isn’t needed, but if you prefer your ghosts a bit softer, letting them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes works wonders. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the powdered sugar and make the ghosts soggy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Twinkie Ghosts Recipe has become one of my go-to Halloween treats because it’s so easy but endlessly charming—your guests will think you spent hours slaving away. When I first tried making these, I was amazed at how the simple dusting of powdered sugar completely transformed the Twinkie into a cute, ghostly little dessert. So go ahead, gather your supplies, and have some fun making these friendly ghosts together—it’s a perfect little project that brings instant smiles and keeps things sweet and spooky all at once.

Print