Reader Food Panel: New Hostess snack looks good but lacks flavor
How much is 100 calories?
According to the International Food Information Council, it’s the energy you need to walk for one mile, dance for 16 minutes, or work in the garden for 18 minutes.
But people tearing into the new Hostess 100 Calorie Packs aren’t likely to be fueling up for some weed-pulling. Rather, they’re probably looking for a way to indulge their sweet tooth but don’t want the emotional baggage of a candy bar (300 calories) or a two-pack of Twinkies (ditto).
In the math of calorie-watchers, you’ve just saved yourself two miles of walking.
But what about the taste?
The Spokesman-Review Food Panel might tell you that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
While the Chocolate Cake and Carrot Cake have a lot of visual and practical appeal, our tasters weren’t exactly overwhelmed by the flavor. Each earned a respectable, but average, three stars for taste and value.
“It looked better than it tasted,” said Peggy Kazanis. “The chocolate had no flavor, and the cake was grainy.”
Andy Hoye was more enthusiastic, describing the cakes as “tidy little bite-sized nuggets of chocolate joy.”
The Carrot Cake had a somewhat more enthusiastic reception, perhaps enjoying the advantage of not having to live up to gooey chocolate expectations.
“Kind of sweet but just the right size,” said Vicki Deschaine. “Needs more carrots.”
“Good little carrot cakes with a nice spicy bite to them,” said Tina Johnson. “The Easter Bunny would have loved these.”
The price of $3.99 was still considered a relatively good value by tasters. For that, you get a box of six individually wrapped packages containing three minicakes each. The cakes are filled with Hostess’ world-famous white goo and are capped with frosting.
Somewhat less flavor and somewhat less guilt. Those unwilling to make the tradeoff can always just keep walking.
Hostess 100 Calorie Packs: Chocolate Cake
Price: $3.99
Yield: Six 3-cake packages
Nutrition per serving: 100 calories, 3 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated), 2 grams protein, 22 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams dietary fiber, 10 milligrams cholesterol, 140 milligrams sodium.
Taste: “““
Value: “““
Comments: “These look more chocolaty than they taste.” –Tina Johnson
“Looks and smells like chocolate, but I’ll pass.” – Vicki Deschaine
“Very good. Moist, not too much icing.” – Larry Inman
Hostess 100 Calorie Packs: Carrot Cake
Price: $3.99
Yield: Six 3-cake packages
Nutrition per serving: 100 calories, 3 grams fat (1 gram saturated), 2 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams dietary fiber, 5 milligrams cholesterol, 100 milligrams sodium.
Taste: “““
Value: “““
Comments: “Mini is a good description … sorry, I have none to share.” – Marilyn Moore
“Tastes much like the cardboard container they came in.” – Skip Hubbard
“Good carrot cake with some true carrot flavor.” – Peggy Kazanis