Hostess Sno Balls Cupcake

Since being introduced in 1947, Sno Balls have become an enduring icon enjoyed by generations of snack cake lovers who can't get enough of the delicious and distinctive marshmallow, coconut and chocolate cake combination. Today, over 25 million Sno Balls are sold each year.

With the rationing of flour and sugar during WWII, Sno Balls became an instant hit with Americans looking to indulge in a sweet treat. But back then, Sno Balls weren't the pink crème-filled treats we know today. The original Sno Balls were white marshmallow and shredded coconut covered chocolate cakes. In 1950, the crème filling was added, and not long after, in an effort to add a little pizzazz to the humble white Sno Ball, Hostess decided to tint the shredded coconut pink. And for added effect, each Sno Ball package included one white and one pink Sno Ball. Later, for efficiency's sake, two of the same color were coupled.

Today, Hostess mostly produces the original white-colored Sno Balls around the winter holidays, with other colors appearing for different seasons. You'll find Scary Cakes and Glo Balls (orange and glow-in-the-dark Sno Balls) during Halloween, Lucky Puffs (green Sno Balls) for St. Patrick's Day and Hoppers (lavender colored Sno Balls) in the Spring.

You might be surprised to know that Sno Balls have also made celebrity appearances, with supporting roles in episodes of The X-Files and Gilmore Girls as well as in the film The Mirror Has Two Faces.