Our Story

We’re an American original. A taste bud tantalizer. A silver screen sensation. Legendary golden child. A creamy-filled center icon. A pop culture phenomenon. And a snack cake superstar. From the pantry to your social media feeds, Hostess Brands has a long, delicious history of making lives a little more joyful. Our treasured treats have been captivating legions of fans for over a century. And we’re not stopping there. Here’s to the next 100 years. We’ve got pretty sweet journey in store for you.

1919: CupCake Introduced

The company first opened its business and gained a national audience from its base of operations in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919. The company, known as Continental Baking at the time, wanted to start a line of sweet treats in addition to their popular bread. In 1919 they launched the original Hostess^® CupCake which had no squiggle icing or crème filling. Don’t worry, we fixed it!

1930: Twinkies^® Introduced

Six years later, Continental Baking wanted to add a line of cakes to sell. This new line of sweet treats became known as Hostess^®. And a brand was born.

The ubiquitous snack cake and American icon was thought up by James Alexander Dewar. They originally cost 2 for 5 cents!

1940: Donettes^® Introduced

Hostess^® Donettes^® were launched at a time when Americans wanted inexpensive ways to treat themselves.

1950: SnoBalls^® Introduced

Americans made SnoBalls^® immensely popular after WWII flour and sugar rationing came to an end.

The Squiggle Introduced

While working in the experimental bakery, D.R. “Doc” Rice was given the task of further developing the existing CupCake. His improvements included filling the CupCakes with the same vanilla crème filling popularized by Twinkies^® and adding the signature squiggle to the top in order to distinguish the Hostess^® CupCake from other brands.

1960: Suzy Q’s^® Introduced

Suzy Q’s^® were named after the daughter of Continental Baking Company VP, Cliff Isaacson.

1967: Ding Dongs^® Introduced

The name Ding Dongs^® is derived from a Hostess television campaign featuring a ringing bell.

1970: HoHos^® Introduced

These Swiss-filled chocolate cakes were originally hand-produced by a San Francisco bakery.

Zingers^® Introduced

With a name like Zingers^®, you might be surprised to know they’re actually pretty sweet. Enjoy Devil’s Food, Raspberry and Vanilla Iced flavors.

1984: Hostess^® on the Big Screen

In 1984, Hostess^® Brands was featured in the highly acclaimed movie Ghostbusters, where the character Egon Spengler uses Twinkies^® to describe a speculated level of psychokinetic energy.

2009: Hostess^® on the Big Screen

In the fan-favorite movie, Zombieland, characters happen upon a Hostess^® truck filled with Twinkies^®

2019: Birthday CupCakes Introduced

Hostess^® turns 100! The celebratory CupCake is introduced to commemorate our “Sweetennial^™.”

STORY

1919

1930

1940

1950

1960

1967

1970

1984

2009

2019

Recipes

Twinkie™ Petits Fours

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Twinkie™ Kebabals

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Twinkie™ Easter Egg Hunt

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Frozen Twinkie™ Pop Mummies

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Vampire Donettes

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Creepy Crawly Hostess Platter

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Twinkie™ Pancakes

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Bite-Sized Twinkie™ Baked Alaska

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Twinkie™ Bomb

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Twinkie™ Sushi

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Tasty Collabs

Iced Lattes

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Single-Serve Coffee Pods

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Dessert Kits

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Our Story

1919: CupCake Introduced

1930: Twinkies® Introduced

1940: Donettes® Introduced

1950: SnoBalls® Introduced

The Squiggle Introduced

1960: Suzy Q’s® Introduced

1967: Ding Dongs® Introduced

1970: HoHos® Introduced

Zingers® Introduced

1984: Hostess® on the Big Screen

2009: Hostess® on the Big Screen

2019: Birthday CupCakes Introduced

Recipes

Twinkie™ Petits Fours

Twinkie™ Kebabals

Twinkie™ Easter Egg Hunt

Frozen Twinkie™ Pop Mummies

Vampire Donettes

Creepy Crawly Hostess Platter

Twinkie™ Pancakes

Bite-Sized Twinkie™ Baked Alaska

Twinkie™ Bomb

Twinkie™ Sushi

Tasty Collabs

Iced Lattes

Single-Serve Coffee Pods

Dessert Kits

Let Your Mostess Shine

comment, like, share, or just ogle at all the treats. we get it.

1930: Twinkies^® Introduced

1940: Donettes^® Introduced

1950: SnoBalls^® Introduced

1960: Suzy Q’s^® Introduced

1967: Ding Dongs^® Introduced

1970: HoHos^® Introduced

Zingers^® Introduced

1984: Hostess^® on the Big Screen

2009: Hostess^® on the Big Screen