The Return of Hostess, a Gluten-Free Round Up

Today’s the big day, the day Hostess snack cakes return to store shelves after an 8-month absence.

It’s apparently a BIG deal for those who eat the Standard American Diet.  It’s all over the news. People are hosting Twinkie parties.  Wal-Mart got their shipment two days early and local news crews were interviewing people. Not kidding, I saw a woman on TV in tears because she could buy Twinkies again.

Well, I think us gluten-free folks should have our own party.  I’ve rounded up enough gluten-free Hostess-inspired recipes to fill a bakery shelf.  I can’t guarantee any of these will have the “new and improved” 45 day shelf life of a Twinkie, but would you want that anyway?  😉

Since the Twinkie seems to be the Hostess product most missed, let’s kick this round-up off with Gluten-Free Twinkies from Elana’s Pantry.  These are gluten-free, dairy-free and free of refined sugar!

Also high on many people’s Hostess wish list is the Ding Dong.  Alta at Tasty Eats at Home shares these, which are grain-free and dairy-free.  They also have a chocolate ganache on the outside that will beat anything coming out of a Hostess package!

I live in the Midwest and we have Ding Dongs here, but maybe you come from a place where you have Ring Dings?  Lisa at Gluten-Free Canteen has made these Gluten-Free Ring Dings.  I do believe one would be perfect with a cup of coffee!

While I haven’t verified this, it is my guess many of the Hostess products are pretty similar, just shaped differently. Ding Dongs and CupCakes are the two that most make me wonder about this.  Next up is my version of the Hostess CupCake.  I call my version Fauxstess Cupcakes. They are gluten-free and dairy-free.

How about HoHos?  They were one of my favorites in high school.  I remember peeling off the waxy chocolate coating, eating it first and then gently unrolling the cake to eat it.  Jeanne from Art of Gluten Free Baking has made this version, inspired by the Bouchon Bakery cookbook.  There are plenty of photos showing how to make these, super helpful!

Next up is the Raspberry Zinger, my all-time favorite Hostess treat.  This one comes from me and I just shared it yesterday!  You’ll find my gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, Raspberry Zingers in the post, as well as a bit about what the raspberry zingers that I bought at the Hostess outlet on its last day of business look like today.

This round-up wouldn’t be complete without a version of the Donette.  From Sweets of Style, a baked version of Donettes!  I’m torn between which my favorite is, the chocolate or the powdered sugar.

And now it’s your turn!  What was your favorite Hostess snack cake?  Got a gluten-free version you’d like to share?  I’d love to hear it and share with readers.