1. Hostess Chocodiles
Chocodiles were basically Twinkies dipped in a thick coat of chocolate, and for kids in the ’80s and ’90s, that was enough to feel like you’d discovered dessert heaven. They weren’t always easy to find either, which only made them more of a treasure when you spotted them on the shelf. Kids would trade just about anything at lunch to get one out of someone’s bag. They came individually wrapped and had that distinctive Hostess sweetness that hit hard in just a few bites.
Parents didn’t love them quite as much because they were sticky, messy, and packed with sugar. But for kids, that was the magic of it. The combination of the soft sponge cake, cream filling, and chocolate shell was pure indulgence. They eventually disappeared for a while, but fans never forgot them.
2. Dolly Madison Zingers
Zingers were the cool snack cakes with stripes of frosting across the top that always stood out in the lunchroom. They came in chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry, and there was something about that raspberry one with coconut sprinkles that kids either loved or couldn’t stand. The Dolly Madison brand, once tied closely to Peanuts characters, made them especially memorable.
Kids liked that they felt a little fancier than Twinkies, even though they were basically cousins in cake form. You could eat one in about three bites, but the sugar rush lasted much longer. Today you don’t see Dolly Madison shelves in stores anymore, which makes them feel like a snack from another era. They left an imprint on kids who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s.
3. Hostess Susie Q’s
If you grew up in the ’70s or ’80s, Susie Q’s were the snack cake you recognized by their sheer size. They were essentially two chocolate cakes sandwiching a thick layer of cream filling. Unlike Twinkies, which were light and fluffy, Susie Q’s were heavier and felt like a serious dessert. They always seemed like they weighed more than anything else in your lunchbox.
Kids often had to split them because they were too much to eat in one sitting, but few ever complained about extra cream filling. The cake-to-frosting ratio was what made them so beloved, and when Hostess discontinued them, it left a big gap for chocolate lovers. Though they’ve been revived a couple of times, they’re not as easy to find anymore. They’ll always be remembered as the heavyweight of the snack cake lineup.
4. Drake’s Yodels
Drake’s was always more of an East Coast staple, but if you had Yodels, you know they were worth bragging about. These chocolate-coated, cream-filled cake rolls were the kind of snack you could savor bite by bite or inhale in seconds. They were sort of like Swiss Rolls, but with their own unique taste and texture.
Lunchrooms often became little trading markets, and kids with Yodels usually came out ahead. They were indulgent without being too huge, which made them perfect for after-school snacking. Their foil wrapping made them feel special, too, almost like unwrapping a present. They might not have had the same national reach as other brands, but for those who had them, they’re unforgettable.
5. Little Debbie Banana Twins
Banana Twins were one of those snack cakes you either adored or left at the back of the cabinet. They were two sponge cakes with banana-flavored crème sandwiched in between, and the twin-pack always made them feel generous. The flavor was sweet, creamy, and unlike anything else in the Little Debbie lineup.
Kids often liked them because they seemed bigger than other snack cakes, and they were easy to share. Parents sometimes stocked them because they felt “less guilty” with the banana theme, but no one was fooled. For kids with a sweet tooth, they were a quirky but memorable option. Over time, they faded into the background, but they had a loyal following.
6. Hostess Banana Flips
Long before most kids ever tried banana bread, there were Banana Flips. These giant half-moon–shaped cakes were filled with banana-flavored crème that made them stand out from the chocolate-heavy lineup of other snacks. They were large enough that one could last an entire lunch period, which is saying something.
Kids loved them because they felt indulgent and different, not like your everyday Twinkie. Their unique shape also made them fun to eat, and their size made you feel like you were getting extra value. Sadly, they didn’t survive the shifting snack market, but their memory is still strong with those who grew up in the ’70s. They were the kind of treat you didn’t forget once you tried them.
7. Dolly Madison Raspberry Zingers
These deserve their own mention because they really were their own experience. The bright pink cake, rolled in shredded coconut and topped with creamy filling, stood out immediately in a lunchbox. They had a daring flavor that not every kid could handle, but those who loved them swore by them.
It was one of those cakes that felt daring and a little exotic in the world of chocolate and vanilla. Raspberry Zingers had a texture that was unlike anything else on the shelf. They became a childhood memory locked in bright colors and sweet flavors. For kids in the ’70s and ’80s, they were a bold snack that left a lasting impression.
8. TastyKake Koffee Kake Juniors
If you lived in the Mid-Atlantic, TastyKakes were the go-to brand, and Koffee Kake Juniors were the crown jewel. These little crumb-topped cakes were sweet but not overwhelming, with just enough streusel to make a mess. They were a step up from the sugary, cream-filled competition.
Kids often found them in their lunchboxes as a rare treat, and they had a homemade taste that felt different from mass-market cakes. Their regional availability made them even more special, since not every kid across the country got to try them. For those who did, the memory of that crumb topping sticks around. They were truly a taste of childhood in Philly and beyond.
9. Hostess Big Wheels
Big Wheels were like the big sibling to Ding Dongs, larger and thicker with a similar chocolate-and-cream combination. They were wrapped in foil, and unwrapping one felt like you’d scored something important. Their heft made them stand out in the snack aisle.
Kids enjoyed them because they were filling and felt like a full-on dessert instead of a quick bite. They were the kind of snack you might split with a friend, or, more often, refuse to share at all. They quietly disappeared from shelves, but those who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s never forgot them. They were an oversized snack cake with oversized memories.
10. Sunshine Golden Cupcakes
These cupcakes had a creamy filling and chocolate frosting with that classic white swirl, but they came from Sunshine instead of Hostess. They didn’t stick around nearly as long, but they still had their moment in the snack spotlight. For kids, they felt like a slightly off-brand twist, but that didn’t make them any less tasty.
Lunchroom swaps often proved these cupcakes were still desirable, even if they weren’t the most famous brand. The combination of chocolate cake and creamy center rarely went wrong. They didn’t outlast the competition, but they left an impression for the kids who tried them. They remain one of those “blink and you missed it” snack memories.
11. Drake’s Devil Dogs
Devil Dogs were long, devil’s food cakes filled with marshmallow-style cream. They had a drier texture than Twinkies or HoHos, which meant kids often washed them down with milk. But their rich chocolate flavor and shape made them a staple.
They were messy, they crumbled, and sometimes they stuck to the roof of your mouth, but none of that mattered to the kids who adored them. Devil Dogs had staying power, even if they didn’t always get the spotlight like other snacks. They became a nostalgic favorite for many who grew up in the Northeast. Their quirky texture and bold flavor made them unforgettable.
12. Hostess Ding Dongs
Ding Dongs were a round chocolate cake covered in a shiny coating and stuffed with cream filling. Each one was wrapped in foil, and opening one felt almost ceremonial. They were small but mighty, the kind of snack you couldn’t resist finishing in just a few bites.
Kids loved them because they were portable and satisfying. Their rich taste and fun unwrapping process gave them a personality other snacks didn’t have. While they’re still around today, they’re not nearly as iconic in the culture as they were in their heyday. For many, just hearing the name brings back school cafeteria memories.
13. Little Debbie Raisin Creme Pies
Not every kid wanted a raisin-filled snack, but those who liked them were fiercely loyal. These twin pies sandwiched crème filling between two soft raisin cookies. They had a sweetness that was different from chocolate-based snacks, with a texture that made them easy to eat.
Parents sometimes picked them thinking they were the “healthier” option, though kids knew better. For those who enjoyed them, the combination of raisins and sweet crème was addictive. They might not have been everyone’s first choice, but they’re a forgotten gem in the Little Debbie lineup. They made snack time a little different from the usual routine.
14. Hostess Orange CupCakes
These bright orange cupcakes looked like a party in a wrapper. With their orange-colored frosting and creamy center, they stood out among the chocolate-heavy lineup of snacks. The white swirl on top gave them the same look as the famous Hostess CupCakes, but the citrusy twist made them special.
Kids liked them because they were playful and colorful, perfect for birthdays or special lunch treats. They had a flavor that was both sweet and tangy, a nice change from the typical chocolate overload. They quietly slipped off shelves, but those who tried them remember their fun, unique flavor. They’ll always be one of Hostess’s more underrated creations.