# Hostess Cakes 2 ea > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Hostess - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Bakery - **Size:** 3.50 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hostess-cakes-2-ea-350-oz - **Slug:** `hostess-cakes-2-ea-350-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains many industrial ingredients (high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, artificial colors/flavors, emulsifiers, preservatives, modified starches) and is formulated as a ready-to-eat packaged snack, which fits the NOVA ultraprocessed category. ## Review Hostess Cakes 2 ea (3.50 oz) — the pink, coconut-covered Snoball twin-pack — sits squarely in the snack cake corridor of American supermarkets: think center-aisle shelves near cookies, boxed pastries, and other single-serve convenience treats, and often in endcap impulse displays or the bakery/snack aisle next to Hostess cupcakes and Ho Hos. It’s framed for grab-and-go moments: brightly colored, glossy twin-packaging designed to appeal to kids, teens, and adults seeking a quick, sweet indulgence. Brand positioning leans on nostalgia and playful indulgence — Hostess trades on decades of snack culture, marketing convenience, portability, and a fun, celebratory vibe rather than health-forward claims. The label is bold and kid-friendly with cartoonish artwork and no organic or “all-natural” certifications; ingredient and nutrition facts appear in small print, while marketing copy emphasizes taste and fun. In plain processing context, this is a highly processed, mass-produced snack made with sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, colors, and flavored components. Sensory cues: a soft, moist cake core wrapped in a sweet marshmallow layer dyed pink and rolled in shredded coconut, with light chocolate undercoating — it’s sweet, slightly sticky, and tender with a contrast of fluffy marshmallow and coarse coconut. Packaging is compact, twin individually wrapped cakes inside a glossy box for portability; rituals include an after-school treat, a coffee-paired office snack, or a shareable party indulgence. With 340 calories and 42 g sugars per pack, it’s framed as a treat rather than a staple food. ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 2 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 340 - **Total fat:** 11g (14% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 6g (30% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 400mg (17% DV) - **Total carbs:** 61g (22% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 42g - **Added sugars:** 41g (82% DV) - **Protein:** 3g ## Ingredients Sugar, Corn Syrup, Water, Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate or Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Coconut, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Cocoa, Contains 2% or Less: Tallow, Glycerin, Gelatin, Modified Food Starch, Baking Soda, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Salt, Whey, Cornstarch, Egg, Hydrogenated Tallow, Sorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate (to Retain Freshness), Egg White, Artificial Flavors, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Dextrose, Mono and Diglycerides, Cottonseed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Monocalcium Phosphate, Enzymes, Red 40 Lake, Defatted Soy Flour. ## Flagged ingredients - **Soybean Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Cottonseed Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Soy Lecithin** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Mono and Diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Polysorbate 60** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Sorbic Acid** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Potassium Sorbate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Red 40 Lake** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, road-trip, movie-night - **Vibes:** nostalgic, indulgent, convenient ## FAQ ### Is the Hostess Cake healthy? Well, that depends on your definition of healthy! If you're looking for a treat to satisfy a sweet craving, these cakes can hit the spot. However, with 42 grams of sugars and a good amount of fats, they’re not exactly a health food—think of them as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple. ### Are Hostess Cakes vegan? Nope, these cakes aren’t vegan-friendly. They contain ingredients like egg and whey, which are no-gos for a plant-based diet. So, if you're avoiding animal products, you might want to steer clear of this sweet treat. ### Are Hostess Cakes gluten-free? Unfortunately, they are not gluten-free. The enriched flour in the ingredients list is derived from wheat, which means these cakes are off-limits for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. If you're looking for a gluten-free dessert, there are plenty of alternatives out there! ### Do Hostess Cakes contain seed oils? Yes, they do! Specifically, they contain soybean oil and cottonseed oil. While some people prefer to avoid seed oils due to their omega-6 fatty acid content, they’re commonly used in processed foods for texture and to maintain freshness, so it’s all about moderation. ### Do Hostess Cakes have artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! Instead, these cakes get their sweetness from sugar and high fructose corn syrup. If you’re looking for something without added sugars, you might want to pass on these. ### Are Hostess Cakes high in sugar? You bet they are! With 42 grams of sugar in just two cakes, they definitely fall into the 'high sugar' category. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you might want to enjoy these as an occasional treat rather than a regular snack. ### What are healthier alternatives to Hostess Cakes? If you're looking for something a bit healthier, consider options like fruit and yogurt or homemade energy bites. There are also brands that make healthier snack cakes with whole ingredients and less sugar. It’s all about finding that balance between indulgence and nutrition! ### Can kids eat Hostess Cakes? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy these as a fun treat, but it’s best to keep it occasional. They’re not the most nutritious option, so pairing them with something healthy, like fruit or a glass of milk, can help round out the snack. ### Are Hostess Cakes good for weight loss? If you're trying to lose weight, these cakes might not be your best friend. They’re high in sugar and calories, which can make it easy to overindulge. Instead, consider healthier snacks that can keep you fuller for longer and support your goals. ### Are Hostess Cakes ultra-processed? Yes, they definitely fall into the ultra-processed category. The long list of ingredients, including preservatives and artificial flavors, indicates they’ve undergone significant processing. While they can be tasty, it's good to be mindful of how often you indulge in such treats. ## Related products - [Sourdough Square Bread](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/goldminer-sourdough-square-bread-24-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/goldminer-sourdough-square-bread-24-oz - [Hostess Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cakes 8 ea](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hostess-cinnamon-streusel-coffee-cakes-8-ea-1160-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hostess-cinnamon-streusel-coffee-cakes-8-ea-1160-oz - [Schmidt Bread, Potato 19 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/schmidt-bread-potato-19-oz-20-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/schmidt-bread-potato-19-oz-20-oz - [Martins Hoagie Rolls](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/martins-martins-hoagie-rolls-20-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/martins-martins-hoagie-rolls-20-oz - [Hostess Coffee Cake](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hostess-coffee-cake-289-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hostess-coffee-cake-289-oz - [Mestemacher Bread, Westphalian Classic, Pumpernickel](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mestemacher-bread-westphalian-classic-pumpernickel-1760-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mestemacher-bread-westphalian-classic-pumpernickel-1760-oz - [Entenmann's Mini Cakes, Crumb](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/entenmanns-mini-cakes-crumb-1225-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/entenmanns-mini-cakes-crumb-1225-oz - [Entenmann's Cinnamon Swirl Buns](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/entenmanns-cinnamon-swirl-buns-18-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/entenmanns-cinnamon-swirl-buns-18-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. Full API access and search: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/skill.md