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Twinkies, Cupcakes, Ding Dongs

Hostess Twinkie, Cupcake, and Ding Dong with text chart of calories.

Originally branded as Continental Baking, Hostess manufacturers a variety of sweet cake-style packaged treats.

The Chocolate Hostess Cupcake was introduced in 1919, followed by the famous golden snack cake about ten years later. It wasn’t until 1967 that the creme-filed chocolate snack cakes with chocolate icing came on the market.

Read this report for a detailed overview of the nutrition facts, ingredients, and allergens in the top three snack cakes.

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QUICK SUMMARY

  • Carbohydrates make up greatest proportion of calories
  • High in added sugars
  • Ingredients include sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, corn syrup solids
  • Contains bioengineered food ingredients

Twinkies

Original Hostess Twinkies are individually-wrapped sweet golden sponge cake pastries with a creamy filling. Nutrition facts are based on a single serving measured one cake.

Calories in Twinkies

There are 140 calories in a Twinkies sweet golden cake.

Here is a summary of calories by macronutrient, per serving:

  • 40 calories from dietary fats
  • 95 calories from total carbs
  • 5 calories from protein

The greatest proportion of total calories (68%) is derived from carbohydrates (most of which are added sugars). Dietary fats make up 28% of the calories, and the remaining 4% is from proteins.

Golden Twinkies

% calories from fat, carbs and protein
Calories
28% FAT
68% CARBS
4% PROTEIN

Daily Value

Daily value (%DV) illustrates the amount of a nutrient in a single cake, relative to the FDA-recommended limit. Use %DV to compare foods and select options for a balanced diet.

Review the chart below, which shows that Twinkies have a medium level of saturated fat, but are high in added sugars.

% DAILY VALUE

Use %DV to determine if the level of nutrients in a food is low (5% or less) or high (20% or more).

Serving size: 1 Cake

%DV

Level

Saturated Fat

9%

MED

Sodium

8%

MED

Added Sugars

%DV based on 2,000 calories

  • 2 grams saturated fat is 9% of the suggested daily limit
  • 15 grams added sugars is 31% of the recommended limit

Check nutrition facts label on the package of your favorite packaged treats to check the amount of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. A 20% or greater daily value is considered high.

Nutrition Facts

Here is a summary of nutrition facts for Hostess Twinkies cakes.

Amount (%DV) per 1 Cake (38.5g)

Red indicates %DV is high.

Calories

140

%DV

Total Fat

4.5g

6%

Saturated Fat

2g

9%

Trans Fat

0g

Cholesterol

15mg

5%

Sodium

180mg

8%

Carbohydrates

24g

9%

Dietary Fiber

0g

0%

Total Sugars

15g

Added Sugars

15g

Protein

1g

Daily Value (%DV) based on diet of 2,000 calories. Your %DV may be higher or lower. Provided for general informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.

Hostess Twinkie with text list of ingredients.

Ingredients

Sugar is listed as the first ingredient in Twinkies. Added sugars also include high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup solids.

Twinkies are made with bioengineered food ingredients.

Here is the complete list of ingredients in Hostess Twinkies.

Ingredients in Twinkies

Sugar, Enriched Flour, Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Tallow, Dextrose, Egg, Soybean Oil, Modified Food Starch, Glycerin, Whey (from milk), Corn Starch, Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Hydrogenated Tallow, Baking Soda, Cottonseed Oil, Soy Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Sorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate (retain freshness), Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Polysorbate 60, Mono and Diglycerides, Xanthan Gum, Monocalcium Phosphate, Enzymes, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Yellow No. 5, Red No. 40

  • Enriched Flour contains bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate or reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid
  • On Jan. 15, 2025, the FDA revoked authorization for food producers to use Red No. 3. Manufacturers have two years to remove the dye from foods and beverages.
  • In April 2025, the FDA announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from processed foods.

Allergens

Twinkies are made with ingredients that contain egg, milk, soybean, and wheat.

Hostess Cupcakes

Calories in Hostess Cupcakes

There are 170 calories in a single cream-filled Hostess chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing.

Here is a summary of calories by macronutrient, per serving:

  • 50 calories from dietary fats
  • 115 calories from total carbs
  • 5 calories from protein

The greatest proportion (68%) of total calories in a Hostess chocolate cupcake is derived from carbohydrates (most of which is added sugars). Dietary fats make up 29% of the calories, and the remaining 3% is from proteins.

Chocolate Cupcake

% calories from fat, carbs and protein
Calories
29% FAT
68% CARBS
3% PROTEIN

Daily Value

Review the chart below, which shows that the chocolate cupcakes topped with an icing swirl are high in added sugars.

% DAILY VALUE

Use %DV to determine if the level of nutrients in a food is low (5% or less) or high (20% or more).

Serving size: 1 Cupcake

%DV

Level

Saturated Fat

13%

MED

Sodium

10%

MED

Added Sugars

%DV based on 2,000 calories

  • 2.5 grams saturated fat per cupcake is 13% of the suggested daily limit
  • 19 grams added sugars is 39% of the limit recommended for an entire day

Nutrition Facts

Here is a summary of nutrition facts for Hostess Cupcakes.

Amount (%DV) per 1 Cake (45g)

Red indicates %DV is high.

Calories

170

%DV

Total Fat

6g

8%

Saturated Fat

2.5g

13%

Trans Fat

0g

Cholesterol

5mg

1%

Sodium

230mg

10%

Carbohydrates

29g

11%

Dietary Fiber

1g

3%

Total Sugars

20g

Added Sugars

19g

Protein

1g

Daily Value (%DV) based on diet of 2,000 calories. Your %DV may be higher or lower. Provided for general informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.

Hostess Cupcake with text list of ingredients.

Ingredients

Sugar is listed as the first ingredient in Hostess Cupcakes. Other added sugars include high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, and agave syrup.

Hostess cupcakes are made with bioengineered food ingredients.

Here is the complete list of ingredients.

Ingredients in Cupcakes

Sugar, Enriched Flour, Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Corn Syrup, Cocoa, Tallow, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Modified Food Starch, Corn Starch, Baking Soda, Salt, Whey (from milk), Calcium Carbonate, Corn Syrup Solids, Calcium Sulfate, Egg, Sorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate (retain freshness), Agave Syrup, Inulin, Egg Whites, Dextrose, Hydrogenated Tallow, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Mono and Diglycerides, Bleached Wheat Flour, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cottonseed Oil, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Agar, Cellulose Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Titanium Dioxide (color), Monocalcium Phosphate, Enzymes, Locust Bean Gum, Disodium Phosphate, Chocolate Liquor, Defatted Soy Flour

  • Enriched Flour contains bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron or ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid

Allergens

The cupcakes are made with ingredients that contain egg, milk, soybean, and wheat.

Chocolate Ding Dongs

Calories in Hostess Ding Dongs

There are 160 calories in one chocolate cake with icing and a creamy filling.

Here is a summary of calories by macronutrient, per serving:

  • 70 calories from dietary fats
  • 85 calories from total carbs
  • 5 calories from protein

Over half (53%) of the calories in a Hostess chocolate Ding Dong is derived from carbohydrates, including added sugars. Dietary fats make up 44% of the calories, and the remaining 3% is from proteins.

Chocolate Ding Dongs

% calories from fat, carbs and protein
Calories
44% FAT
53% CARBS
3% PROTEIN

Daily Value

Review the chart below, which shows that the chocolate cupcakes topped with an icing swirl are high in added sugars.

Serving size: 1 Chocolate Ding Dong

% DAILY VALUE

Use %DV to determine if the level of nutrients in a food is low (5% or less) or high (20% or more).

%DV

Level

Saturated Fat

25%

Sodium

6%

MED

Added Sugars

30%

%DV based on 2,000 calories

  • 5 grams saturated fat in one chocolate cake is 25% of the suggested daily limit
  • 15 grams added sugars is 30% of the limit recommended for an entire day

Nutrition Facts

Here is a summary of nutrition facts for one Hostess Chocolate Ding Dong.

Amount (%DV) per 1 Cake

Red indicates %DV is high.

Calories

160

%DV

Total Fat

8g

10%

Saturated Fat

5g

Trans Fat

0g

Cholesterol

0mg

0%

Sodium

140mg

6%

Carbohydrates

21g

8%

Dietary Fiber

1g

4%

Total Sugars

15g

Added Sugars

15g

Protein

1g

Daily Value (%DV) based on diet of 2,000 calories. Your %DV may be higher or lower. Provided for general informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.

Hostess Ding Dong with text list of ingredients.

Ingredients

Sugar is listed as the first ingredient in Hostess Ding Dongs. Other added sugars in the recipe include high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and corn syrup solids.

Hostess Ding Dongs contain bioengineered food ingredients.

Here is the complete list of ingredients.

Ingredients in Ding Dongs

Sugar, Enriched Flour, Water, Palm Kernel Oil, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Soybean Oil, Cocoa, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Glycerin, Modified Food Starch, Baking Soda, Mono and Diglycerides, Whey (from milk), Salt, Corn Starch, Egg, Soy Lecithin, Preservatives (Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Natamycin), Dextrose, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Egg Whites, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 60, Monocalcium Phosphate, Enzymes, Defatted Soy Flour

  • Enriched Flour contains bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron or ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid

Allergens

The cupcakes are made with ingredients that contain egg, milk, soybean, and wheat.

NOTE: Summaries of calories by macronutrient in this report are rounded estimates based on the nutrition facts provided by Hostess Brands.

Hostess Twinkie, Cupcake, and Ding Dong with text chart of calories.
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Nutrition facts, prices, and ingredients are based on available information as of the date of publication. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change recipes or formulations without notice. Check package labels and ask the product manufacturer or restaurant for the most up-to-date information. Unless otherwise stated, %DV is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. All reports and reviews published on this site are for informational purposes only. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide healthcare advice or dietary recommendations. Always consult your licensed physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.

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