# Hostess Coffee Cake > 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:** 2.89 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hostess-coffee-cake-289-oz - **Slug:** `hostess-coffee-cake-289-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial ingredients (high sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated/processed fats, emulsifiers, preservatives, modified starches, artificial flavors, protein isolates) and is a ready-to-eat factory formulation, which fits the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category. ## Review Hostess Coffee Cake is a single-serve, shelf-stable cinnamon streusel cake wrapped in glossy plastic — the kind of packaged treat you’ll find in the bakery/snack cake aisle near toaster pastries, muffins, and other grab-and-go breakfast items. Store placement: typically stocked with convenience breakfast foods and snack cakes, often on middle shelves at eye level for impulse purchase. Occasions: pitched for rushed weekday mornings, lunchbox treats, road trips, and casual snack moments like coffee breaks or late-night cravings. Brand positioning: Hostess leans into classic American nostalgia and convenience, targeting busy families, teens, and adults who want an affordable indulgence; marketing emphasizes comfort, fun, and the legacy “grab-and-go” snack culture rather than health. Label characteristics: packaging features indulgent imagery and convenience cues (individually wrapped, “coffee cake” name) but contains no organic certification or meaningful “natural” claims — in fact the ingredient list includes both “natural and artificial flavors”; any health halo is implied by breakfast positioning rather than by nutrient profile. Processing context: this is a highly processed, factory-made snack cake formulated for long shelf life using emulsifiers, preservatives, modified starches, hydrogenated/processed fats, and added flavors. Sensory details: expect a moist yet slightly dense buttery crumb with a sweet, cinnamon-sugar swirl and soft streusel pockets; texture is soft and tender with a slightly oily mouthfeel from added fats. Ritual context: unwrapping with a morning coffee, slipping one into a kid’s lunch, or pairing with an office beverage — a convenient little comfort treat designed for quick consumption. ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 310 - **Total fat:** 11g (14% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 3g (15% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 20mg (7% DV) - **Sodium:** 240mg (10% DV) - **Total carbs:** 51g (19% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 35g - **Added sugars:** 35g (70% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients Sugar, Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron or Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Soybean Oil, Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup, Contains 2% or Less of: Pasteurized Cream (Milk), Food Starch Modified, Egg, Glycerin, Cinnamon, Tallow, Palm Oil, Salt, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Corn Starch, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Egg Whites, Baking Soda, Hydrolyzed Whey, Mono and Diglycerides, Potassium Sorbate and Sorbic Acid (to Retain Freshness), Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Hydrogenated Tallow, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, Monocalcium Phosphate, Cottonseed Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Fumaric Acid, Whey, Soy Protein Isolate, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate, Beta-Carotene (for Color), Vitamin A Palmitate. ## 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 - **Mono and Diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Soy Lecithin** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Polysorbate 60** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Potassium Sorbate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Sorbic Acid** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Beta-Carotene** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, road-trip, weekend-brunch - **Vibes:** nostalgic, indulgent, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Hostess Coffee Cake healthy? The term 'healthy' can be a bit subjective, right? Hostess Coffee Cake is definitely a treat rather than a health food, with a high sugar content (35g per serving!). If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up or a nostalgic snack, it fits the bill, but it might not be the best choice if you're focused on a low-sugar or high-fiber diet. ### Is Hostess Coffee Cake vegan? Nope! Hostess Coffee Cake isn’t vegan since it contains ingredients like eggs and pasteurized cream. If you’re following a vegan diet, you might want to skip this one or look for a plant-based coffee cake alternative. ### Is Hostess Coffee Cake gluten-free? Sadly, Hostess Coffee Cake is not gluten-free. It contains enriched bleached wheat flour, so if you’re avoiding gluten, you’ll want to check out other options that are specifically labeled gluten-free. ### Does Hostess Coffee Cake contain seed oils? Yes, it does! Hostess Coffee Cake contains soybean oil, which is a common seed oil. While some people prefer to avoid seed oils for various reasons, they are generally recognized as safe to eat in moderation, so it really comes down to personal preference. ### Does Hostess Coffee Cake contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won’t find any artificial sweeteners in Hostess Coffee Cake. Instead, it relies on good old sugar and corn syrup for sweetness, so you can expect a classic sugary treat without those sugar substitutes. ### Is Hostess Coffee Cake high in sugar? Absolutely! With 35g of added sugars in a single serving, this coffee cake is definitely on the high side when it comes to sweetness. If you're watching your sugar intake, you might want to enjoy this as an occasional treat rather than a daily indulgence. ### What are healthier alternatives to Hostess Coffee Cake? If you're looking for something a bit healthier, consider options like homemade coffee cakes made with whole grain flours and natural sweeteners, or even a fruit-based muffin. There are also brands that offer gluten-free or lower-sugar options that might fit better into a health-focused lifestyle. ### Can kids eat Hostess Coffee Cake? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy Hostess Coffee Cake as an occasional treat, just like many adults do. Just keep in mind that with its high sugar content, it’s best served alongside a balanced meal or as part of a special snack time. ### Is Hostess Coffee Cake good for weight loss? If you’re trying to lose weight, Hostess Coffee Cake might not be your best friend. With its high sugar and calorie content, it’s more of a splurge than a staple, so moderation is key if you decide to indulge every now and then. ### Is Hostess Coffee Cake ultra-processed? Yes, Hostess Coffee Cake falls into the ultra-processed category. It contains a mix of refined ingredients, preservatives, and artificial flavors, which makes it a convenient but less-than-minimally processed option. While it’s not the most wholesome choice, it’s okay to enjoy it in moderation! ## Related products - [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 - [Arnold Keto Thins](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/arnold-keto-thins-12-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/arnold-keto-thins-12-oz - [Thomas' English Muffins, Honey Wheat](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/thomas-english-muffins-honey-wheat-12-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/thomas-english-muffins-honey-wheat-12-oz - [Entenmann's Cake, Chocolate Fudge](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/entenmanns-cake-chocolate-fudge-19-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/entenmanns-cake-chocolate-fudge-19-oz - [Little Bites Crumb Cake Muffins, 5 packs, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Mini Muffins, 8.75 oz Multipack](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/entenmanns-little-bites-crumb-cake-muffins-5-packs-cinnamon-brown-sugar-mini-muffins-875-oz-multipack-875-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/entenmanns-little-bites-crumb-cake-muffins-5-packs-cinnamon-brown-sugar-mini-muffins-875-oz-multipack-875-oz - [Entenmann's Loaf Cake, Chocolate Chip](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/entenmanns-loaf-cake-chocolate-chip-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/entenmanns-loaf-cake-chocolate-chip-16-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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