Find out some interesting information about Hostess® and its taste bud-tingling treats:
I can't find my favorite Hostess product at local stores. What should I do?
Unfortunately, your local store may not currently carry your favorite Hostess product. Consumer demand usually determines which products make it onto store shelves. You may mention the snack cake that you are trying to find to the store manager where you shop. Usually, managers are cooperative and might be willing to order the snack cake for you.
We are sorry but we cannot process individual orders and ship our products directly to you.
How can I contact Hostess?
You may send e-mail here or reach the company via snail mail:
Interstate Brands Corporation
Consumer Affairs
12 E. Armour Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111
1-800-483-7253
Can you freeze Hostess treats?
Yes, you can freeze Hostess snack cakes. However, the packaging is not designed for freezing. We recommend putting your treats in a freezer bag first.
Are Twinkies baked?
Yes, Twinkies® are baked. Hostess has several bakeries across the country, which together bakes 500 million Twinkies each year. In order to do that, Hostess needs 8 million pounds of sugar, 7 million pounds of flour and 1 million eggs.
How were Twinkies invented?
Twinkies were developed as an inexpensive treat during the Depression. Jimmy Dewar, manager of the Schiller Park, IL bakery, noticed the pans for Hostess' Little Shortbread Fingers were only used during summer months. Dewar decided to make use of the pans throughout the year by filling them with golden sponge cake and banana filling. Today's vanilla filling was the result of a banana shortage during World War II. En route to show off his new idea in St. Louis, Dewar saw a billboard for "Twinkle Toe Shoes" - and the name Twinkies was born.
What is the difference between a Ding Dong and a King Don?
When Hostess introduced Ding Dongs® in 1967, the advertising campaign included a ringing bell: hence the name Ding Dongs. However, in the eastern United States, Hostess opted to package the cakes as King Dons to avoid confusion with a competitor's product. Hostess consolidated the King Don and Ding Dong name in 1987, packaging the cakes as Ding Dongs in all regions. Six months later, Hostess decided to go back to using the King Don name in the eastern U.S., again, to avoid confusion with a competing product. But, today the issue has been put to rest and only Ding Dongs are sold nationwide.