Turn store-bought treats into adorably cute Snack Cake Penguins. They are super fun treats to serve at Christmas, for a zoo-themed party, or a wintertime event. Kids will love them.
Have you ever made an animal out of a paper towel tube or other cardboard tube? I saw the cutest penguin paper tube craft today. It inspired me to make these adorable chocolate penguin cakes. They will look so cute alongside my Chocolate Penguin Truffles and Penguin Pretzels.
I figured if you could make a penguin using a cardboard tube, paper, and glue, I could create an edible version using a snack cake, candy, and frosting.
To keep this food craft easy, I chose to use store-bought snack cakes. I used Little Debbie Swiss Rolls but Hostess HoHos or Drakes Yodels will work too.
I used marshmallows, orange slices (gumdrops), Tootsie Rolls, candy eyes, and black licorice (optional) to decorate my sweet penguins.
If an adult cuts out the candy, a young child could have fun decorating his/her own sweet little penguin snack cake.
So, let's make some penguins.
Chocolate Cake Roll Penguins
Ingredients
chocolate cake rolls - Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, Hostess HoHos, or Drakes Cakes Yodels
marshmallows
orange slices or orange gumdrops
Tootsie Rolls
optional black licorice laces
Supplies
kitchen shears or a knife
rolling pin
optional: mini egg-shaped or oval cookie-cutter
optional: toothpick
Items used to create this project can be purchased on Amazon.com. I earn a small commission when you use the Amazon links to make a purchase at no extra cost to you.
Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, ...Shop on Amazon 
Hostess HoHos, Chocolate, 1...Shop on Amazon 
Orange Slice Wedges Candy 1...Shop on Amazon
SweetGourmet Black Licorice...Shop on Amazon
Candy Molds N More Edible R...Shop on Amazon
Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, 12...Shop on Amazon Instructions
Decorate your penguin snack cakes.
Flatten an orange slice into an even ¼" thickness. Using kitchen shears or a knife, cut two feet and a beak from the orange slice.
Cut a thin slice from each end of a marshmallow. Eat the sticky center piece or save it for your hot cocoa.
Soften a Tootsie Roll in the microwave on high for 5 seconds. (This won't be necessary if you are fortunate enough to have really soft candies.) Roll your candy out thin. Cut two wings out using a cookie cutter, kitchen shears, or a knife. Stretch the oval into a longer curved wing.
Attach all of the candy decorations to the snack cake with frosting making sure the orange slice feet go all the way to the back edge of the snack cake or your penguins will topple over.
Add licorice feathers by poking pieces of black licorice laces into the penguin's head. You can poke holes with a toothpick first if you need to.
Storage
Keep your penguins stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. While most penguins like the cold, these little guys prefer a nice balmy 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep them out of your refrigerator.
Related Recipes
If you are looking for more cute penguin-themed dessert ideas or other fun kid's treats, be sure to check these out.
I created this cute wintertime scene with sugar snow and a blue paper backdrop. I love how the penguin cakes stand up in the snow.
Recipe
- 1 chocolate roll snack cakes Little Debbie Swiss Rolls or something similar
- 1 orange slices/orange gumdrops
- 1 marshmallows
- 1 Tootsie Rolls
- 2 edible eyes
- frosting or use Nutella, peanut butter or melted chocolate
- optional black licorice laces
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Flatten an orange slice into an even ¼" thickness.
-
Cut two feet and a beak.
-
Cut a thin slice from each end of a marshmallow.
-
Flatten a soft Tootsie Roll then roll it out thin.
-
Cut two wings from the Tootsie Roll.
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Attach the candy decorations to the snack cake with frosting.
Store your snack cake penguins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
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Heather - Chickabug says
Great photos! I love the one that shows all the parts ready for assembly. I can't wait to make these cute little guys! : )
beth says
Are you feeling a little like Christmas in July! It's so hot here that those penguins sitting in the snow look very appealing to me. These are definitely a fun and easy project to do, and I hope you enjoy making them.
Daysinwiththekids says
I love these! Will definitely try to make them this Christmas! Thanks!
http://livingatthewhiteheadszoo.blogspot.com/ says
Oh my gosh I love these and all of your cute ideas! So clever!
Anonymous says
I teach 3rd grade and this week's story is a nonfiction penguin selection and these are so adorable I think we'll have to make them Friday! Thanks for sharing. The kids will love these!!!
Tiffany@Fizzy Party! says
Adorableness! I'm so glad you shared these now. LOVE the one with the hair.
Jess@Coxs Corner says
I am in love with these! They are SO cute! I'm so pinning them so I can find them later! 🙂 I'm also your newest follower! I LOVE your ideas and can't wait to see more!
Kelly Rowe says
Hi Beth! We didn't get a chance to actually meet at the St. Louis Food Media Forum. Thanks for the PB Starfish and the little attached tag. That's how I was able to find you 🙂 Are you in St. Louis?? Look forward to connecting. Have a fabulous week!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Hi Kelly, I sure wish I could have had a chance to meet everyone but it was a jam packed weekend. I had a great time and really learned a lot. I'm glad you enjoyed the starfis. I can't wait to find time to visit everyone's blog.
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com) says
Beth, these are darling! Seriously these are super cute! Thanks for sharing them at TGIF!
Beth =-)
Sue says
So cute! The things you do with snack cakes:)
Trish says
BETH! I'm totally making these! Swiss Rolls just got added to my grocery list 🙂 Sharing on Facebook now! Oh yeah, and pinning of course 😉
Michelle says
Aww, how fun! These would be cute for a winter themed birthday party!