EXCLUSIVE

Buddy Valastro -- the star of "Cake Boss" -- was arrested early Thursday AM for driving while intoxicated ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... cops noticed the TLC star's 2014 yellow Corvette weaving on 10th Ave in Manhattan. They cops lit 'em up, pulled Buddy over and smelled a strong odor of alcohol.

We're told Buddy flunked multiple field sobriety tests. He was cuffed, taken to the cop shop and booked.