Editing Twinkie

{{Short description|American snack cake}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
[[File:Logo of Twinkies, sold by Hostess.png|thumb|The logo of Twinkies, a product of Hostess.]]
The '''Twinkie''' is an American [[snack cake]], described on its packaging as "golden [[sponge cake]] with a creamy filling".<ref>{{cite web |title=Twinkies Snack Cake |url=https://www.hostesscakes.com/everyday-snacks/twinkies |access-date=2024-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202043746/https://www.hostesscakes.com/everyday-snacks/twinkies |archive-date=2024-12-02 }}</ref> It was formerly made and distributed by [[Old HB|Hostess Brands]]. The brand is currently owned by [[Hostess Brands|Hostess Brands, Inc]]., itself currently owned by [[The J.M. Smucker Company]] and having been formerly owned by [[private equity firm]]s [[Apollo Global Management]] and [[C. Dean Metropoulos|C. Dean Metropoulos and Company]] as the second incarnation of Hostess Brands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |title=Smuckers Buying Hostess Brands In $5.6 Billion Snack Food Deal |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/09/11/smuckers-buying-hostess-brands-iin-56-billion-snack-food-deal/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> During bankruptcy proceedings, Twinkie production was suspended on November 15, 2012, and resumed after an absence of a few months from American store shelves, becoming available again nationwide on July 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/12/news/companies/walmart-twinkies/index.html|title='First batch' Twinkies go on sale at Walmart|publisher=CNN|author=Parija Kavilanz|date=July 12, 2013|access-date=July 13, 2013|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401163803/https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/12/news/companies/walmart-twinkies/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_23652203/hostess-twinkies-make-an-early-return-southland-shelves|title=Hostess Twinkies make an early return to Southland shelves|newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News|author=Staff and wire reports|date=July 12, 2013|access-date=July 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715201700/http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_23652203/hostess-twinkies-make-an-early-return-southland-shelves|archive-date=July 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Grupo Bimbo]]'s [[Vachon Inc.]], which owns the Canadian rights to the product and made them during their absence from the U.S. market,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/snack-giant-hostess-shuttering-us-business-but-canada-unaffected/article5365001|title=As Hostess winds up, who will bite on Twinkies?|date=November 16, 2012|last=Marotte|first=Bertrand|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=December 18, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116182546/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/snack-giant-hostess-shuttering-us-business-but-canada-unaffected/article5365001/|archive-date=November 16, 2012}}</ref> produces Twinkies in Canada at a bakery in Montreal. They are made in [[Emporia, Kansas]], in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kansascity.com/latest-news/article49515000.html |title=The Kansas City Star |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115031326/https://www.kansascity.com/latest-news/article49515000.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Twinkies are also available in Mexican stores as "Submarinos" made by Marinela, and as "Tuinky" made by Wonder; both Marinela and Wonder are also subsidiaries of Mexican bread company Grupo Bimbo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://donatwinkiesaunamericano.org/desktop/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409143734/http://donatwinkiesaunamericano.org/desktop/index.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 9, 2016|title=Donatwinkiesaunamericano.org|date=April 9, 2016|access-date=July 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merca20.com/campana-de-la-semana-dona-twinkies-a-un-americano/|title=Campaña de la semana: Dona Twinkies a un Americano |access-date=May 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608081431/http://www.merca20.com/campana-de-la-semana-dona-twinkies-a-un-americano/ |archive-date=June 8, 2013 }}</ref> In Egypt, Twinkies are produced under the company Edita. Twinkies are also available in the United Kingdom and Ireland under the Hostess brand name where they are sold in [[Sainsburys]], [[Tesco]], [[ASDA]], and [[B&M]] stores. Twinkies are produced and distributed by multiple commercial bakeries in [[China]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twinkies.cn/ |title=Twinkies China |publisher=Green Lounge |access-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415012852/http://twinkies.cn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> where [[Hostess Brands|Hostess]] does not own the brand.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/4015170-hostess-surrendered-twinkies-brand-china|title=How Hostess Surrendered The Twinkies Brand In China|publisher=Seeking Alpha|access-date=November 26, 2016|archive-date=November 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124183509/http://seekingalpha.com/article/4015170-hostess-surrendered-twinkies-brand-china|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Box of Hostess Twinkies by Saputo Inc December 2012.png|right|290px|thumb|Box of Hostess Twinkies by [[Saputo Incorporated]], sold in Canada]]
Twinkies were invented on April 6, 1930, by Canadian-born baker [[James Dewar (baker)|James "Jimmy" Alexander Dewar]] for the [[Continental Baking Company]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Biemer|first=John|title=Homeowner Discovers That Mr. Twinkie Slept There|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060430/news_1h30twinkie.html|work=U-T San Diego|date=April 30, 2006|access-date=June 5, 2011|archive-date=August 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831155442/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060430/news_1h30twinkie.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in [[Schiller Park, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20140821&id=17875582|title=Hostess closing bakery that created the Twinkie|publisher=MSN Money|author=Staff and wire reports|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=August 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823164810/http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20140821&id=17875582|archive-date=August 23, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Realizing that several machines used for making cream-filled strawberry [[shortcake]]s sat idle when [[strawberries]] were out of season, Dewar conceived a snack cake filled with [[Cream pie|banana cream]], which he dubbed the Twinkie.<ref name="latimes-twinkie-defense">{{cite news |last=Belcher |first=Jerry |title=Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies : James A. Dewar's Treat Is Part of America's Diet and Folklore |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-03-me-10272-story.html |quote=It was Dewar's inspiration to fill the cakes with a sugar-cream mixture, the formula for which is still a tightly held secret. |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 3, 1985 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114111430/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-07-03/local/me-10272_1_twinkie-defense |url-status=live }}</ref> He said he came up with the name when he saw a billboard in St. Louis for "Twinkle Toe Shoes".<ref name=ovide>{{cite news | last=Ovide | first=Shira | title=Great Moments in Twinkies History | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/09/02/great-moments-in-twinkies-history/ | newspaper=The Wall Street Journal | date=September 2, 2011 | access-date=January 10, 2011 | archive-date=October 31, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031233828/http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/09/02/great-moments-in-twinkies-history/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Harper|first=Douglas R.|title=Twinkie|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/Twinkie#etymonline_v_40410|access-date=January 2, 2024|website=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref>

During [[World War II]], bananas were rationed, and the company was forced to switch to [[vanilla]] cream. This change proved popular, and banana-cream Twinkies were not widely re-introduced. The original flavor was occasionally found in limited time only promotions; the company used vanilla cream for most Twinkies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/twinkie.htm |title=The History of the Hostess Twinkie |publisher=Kitchenproject.com |access-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-date=January 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101190524/http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/twinkie.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1988, Fruit and Cream Twinkies were introduced with a strawberry filling swirled into the cream. The product was soon dropped.<ref>{{cite web | author=Continental Baking Company|year=1988| title=Fruit and Cream Twinkies commercial| work=Continental Baking Company|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws9z-axq17I| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/ws9z-axq17I| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live| access-date=March 8, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Vanilla's dominance over banana flavoring was challenged in 2005, following a month-long promotion of the movie ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]''. Hostess saw its Twinkie sales rise 20% during the promotion; in 2007, the company restored the banana-cream Twinkie to its snack lineup although they are now made with 2% banana purée.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/banana-twinkies-made-with-real-bananas-in-the-1930s/?tag=mashedcom-20 | title=Banana Twinkies: Made with Real Bananas – in the 1930s | website=[[CBS News]] | date=March 25, 2011 | access-date=November 7, 2022 | archive-date=November 7, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107185024/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/banana-twinkies-made-with-real-bananas-in-the-1930s/?tag=mashedcom-20 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Shepherd| first=Lauren| date=June 13, 2007| title=Hostess selling banana-creme Twinkies| work=USA Today| url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-06-13-1443070984_x.htm| access-date=August 30, 2011| archive-date=June 28, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628222616/http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-06-13-1443070984_x.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2012, as Hostess announced its plan to shut down its operations, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' ranked the Twinkie #1 in its list of 10 "iconic" [[junk food]]s, saying that "they've been a staple in our popular culture and, above all, in our hearts. Often criticized for its lack of any nutritional value whatsoever,{{efn|This is a case of [[hyperbole]]; the [[nutritional facts]] of 1 serving (2 Twinkie cakes) describes, ''[[inter alia]]'', 2 grams of [[protein]] and 1 milligram of [[iron]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-09 |title=Classic |url=https://www.hostesscakes.com/products/twinkies/classic/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Hostess |language=en-US}}</ref>}} the Twinkie has managed to persevere as a cultural and gastronomical icon."<ref name="timetop10">{{cite magazine | url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2104472_2104473_2104484,00.html | title=Top 10 Iconic Junk Foods | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=16 Nov 2012 | access-date=15 Oct 2021 | author=Grossman, Samantha}}</ref>

===Hostess bankruptcy===
On January 11, 2012,<ref name=Saginaw_County_Chapter_11_Filing_State_of_Michigan>{{cite web|last=Knipp|first=Christopher|title=City of Saginaw, Michigan; Notice of Chapter 11|url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdcd/Saginaw_County_content_384572_7.pdf|publisher=Hostess Brands, LLC|access-date=November 17, 2012|archive-date=December 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223190902/https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdcd/Saginaw_County_content_384572_7.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> parent company [[Old HB|Hostess]] filed for [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy protection.<ref name="ovide" /> Twinkie sales for the year, {{as of|2011|December|25|lc=y|df=US}}, were 36 million packages, down almost 20% from a year earlier.<ref name="ovide" /> Hostess said customers had migrated to healthier foods.<ref name="ovide" /> On November 16, 2012, Hostess officially announced that it "will be winding down operations and has filed a motion with the [[U.S. Bankruptcy Court]] seeking permission to close its business and sell its assets, including its iconic brands and facilities." Bakery operations were suspended at all plants.<ref name=out_of_business>{{cite news|last=Erik_Halvorson|first=Blynn Austin|title=Hostess Brands is closed; HOSTESS BRANDS TO WIND DOWN COMPANY AFTER BCTGM UNION STRIKE CRIPPLES OPERATIONS|url=http://hostessbrands.com/Closed.aspx|agency=Media_Division|publisher=Hostess Brands, LLC|access-date=November 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118030617/http://hostessbrands.com/Closed.aspx|archive-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref>

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Hostess-Twinkies-Box-Small.jpg|right|290px|thumb|Box of Hostess Twinkies by [[Hostess Brands]] prior to bankruptcy]] -->
On November 19, 2012, Hostess and the [[Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union|Bakers Union]] agreed to mediation, delaying the shutdown for two days. On November 21, 2012, U.S. bankruptcy judge [[Robert D. Drain|Robert Drain]] approved Hostess' request to shut down, ending Twinkie production in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/21/hostess-brands-says-buyers-lining-up-to-grab-brands-in-liquidation-saletwinkie-maker-hostess-says-buyers-lining-up-to-grab-brands-in-fire-sale/ |title=Twinkie maker Hostess to 'immediately' fire 15,000 workers as liquidation approved |publisher=Business.financialpost.com |access-date=January 14, 2013 |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111100656/http://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/21/hostess-brands-says-buyers-lining-up-to-grab-brands-in-liquidation-saletwinkie-maker-hostess-says-buyers-lining-up-to-grab-brands-in-fire-sale/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Return of Twinkies to U.S. market===
[[File:Limited Edition Hostess Chocolate Creme Twinkies Innards (5554819469).jpg|thumb|A [[Multiview orthographic projection#Section|cross-section]] of "Limited Edition" Chocolate Creme Twinkies from 2011]]
On March 18, 2013, it was reported that Twinkies would return to store shelves in May of that year. Twinkies, along with other Hostess Brands, were purchased out of bankruptcy by Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co for $410 million.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://money.cnn.com/2013/03/12/news/companies/twinkies-buyer/ | title = Twinkies due on shelves by summer as $410 million bid OK'd | author = Chris Isidore | work = CNNMoney | date = March 13, 2013 | access-date = August 3, 2020 | archive-date = September 19, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200919000017/https://money.cnn.com/2013/03/12/news/companies/twinkies-buyer/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.laobserved.com/biz/2013/03/hooray_the_twinkie_i.php | title = Hooray, Twinkies are coming back | author = Mark Lacter | date = March 12, 2013 | work = LA Observed | access-date = September 17, 2013 | archive-date = May 31, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130531045616/http://www.laobserved.com/biz/2013/03/hooray_the_twinkie_i.php | url-status = live }}</ref>
Twinkies returned to U.S. shelves on July 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twinkies, Hostess snacks back in stores today|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-twinkies-20130715,0,6952668.story/|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=July 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715131241/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-twinkies-20130715,0,6952668.story|archive-date=July 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Apollo subsequently sold Hostess for $2.3 billion.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Corkery|first1=Michael|title=How the Twinkie Made the Superrich Even Richer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/business/dealbook/how-the-twinkie-made-the-super-rich-even-richer.html|access-date=12 December 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=10 December 2016|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222163303/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/business/dealbook/how-the-twinkie-made-the-super-rich-even-richer.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before Hostess Brands filed for bankruptcy, Twinkies were reduced in size. They now contain {{convert|135|kcal|kJ}} and have a mass of 38.5 grams, while the original Twinkies contained {{convert|150|kcal|kJ}} and had a mass of 42.5 grams. The new Twinkies also have a longer shelf life of 45 days, which was also a change made before bankruptcy, compared to the 26 days of the original Twinkies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/15/twinkies-release-smaller/2517709/|title=New Twinkies weigh less, have fewer calories|last=Choi|first=Candace|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=July 15, 2013|access-date=July 15, 2013|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422191306/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/15/twinkies-release-smaller/2517709/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2017, Chocolate Cake Twinkies came on the market.<ref>{{cite news | title=A new chocolate cake version of Twinkies is coming to stores | date=April 26, 2017 | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/26/a-new-chocolate-cake-version-of-twinkies-is-coming-to-stores-9 | work=mercurynews.com }}</ref>

Twinkies Cereal, made by [[Post Consumer Brands|Post]], was introduced in December 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Heil|first=Emily|title=Review {{!}} The new Twinkies cereal tastes like a spoonful of sugary nostalgia — and never gets soggy|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2019/11/26/the-new-twinkies-cereal-tastes-like-a-spoonful-of-sugary-nostalgia-and-it-never-gets-soggy/|access-date=2020-12-15|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210201607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2019/11/26/the-new-twinkies-cereal-tastes-like-a-spoonful-of-sugary-nostalgia-and-it-never-gets-soggy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Deep-fried Twinkie==
[[File:Deep-fried twinkie.jpg|thumb|right|A deep-fried Twinkie]]
[[Deep frying]] a Twinkie involves freezing the cake, dipping it into [[batter (cooking)|batter]], and deep-frying it. [[Melissa Clark]] ''(''who interviewed one of the deep fried Twinkie's claimed inventors — Christopher Sell, originally from [[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]], England)'', writing in [[The New York Times]],'' describes how "Something magical occurs when the pastry hits the hot oil. The creamy white vegetable shortening filling liquefies, impregnating the [[sponge cake]] with its luscious vanilla flavor [...] The cake itself softens and warms, nearly melting, contrasting with the crisp, deep-fried crust in a buttery and suave way. The ''[[wikt:pièce de résistance|pièce de résistance]]'', however, is a ruby-hued berry sauce, adding a tart sophistication to all that airy sugary goodness."<ref>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Melissa |author-link=Melissa Clark |date=May 15, 2002 |title=Fry That Twinkie, But Hold the Chips |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/15/dining/fry-that-twinkie-but-hold-the-chips.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601131458/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/15/dining/fry-that-twinkie-but-hold-the-chips.html |archive-date=June 1, 2013 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

In 2002, Brooklyn restaurateur Clint Mullen introduced the fried Twinkie at several [[state fair|state]] and county fairs to great popular acclaim, and the notion spread to other establishments that specialize in fried foods.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cnn.com/2002/US/West/09/18/offbeat.twinkie.reut/| archive-date=November 10, 2016| publisher=CNN| title=New junk food fad: Deep-fried Twinkies| date=September 18, 2002| access-date=July 25, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110025701/http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/West/09/18/offbeat.twinkie.reut/| url-status=live}}</ref> Fried Twinkies are sold throughout the U.S. in fairs as well as ball games, and in various restaurants. Starting in August 2016, [[Walmart]] began selling prepackaged, frozen versions of the deep-fried Twinkie at stores nationwide in the US.<ref>{{cite news | url =http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/12/news/companies/walmart-deep-fried-twinkies/ | work =CNN | title =Walmart is selling deep-fried Twinkies | date =August 12, 2016 | access-date =September 1, 2016 | archive-date =August 19, 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160819100344/http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/12/news/companies/walmart-deep-fried-twinkies/ | url-status =live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=12 August 2016 |title=A State Fair Staple, Deep-Fried Twinkies Are Heading to Home Freezers |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/state-fair-staple-deep-fried-twinkies-coming-home/story?id=41328371 |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
===Television and film===
In 1984, the Twinkie became known worldwide in countries that did not sell the confection, due to a reference in the hit film ''[[Ghostbusters]]''.<ref name=hays>{{cite web|last1=Hays|first1=Julia|title=Celebrate the New Ghostbusters With Slime-Filled Twinkies|url=http://www.eonline.com/au/news/743749/celebrate-the-new-ghostbusters-with-slime-filled-twinkies|website=E! Online|access-date=26 February 2018|date=26 February 2016|archive-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035726/http://www.eonline.com/au/news/743749/celebrate-the-new-ghostbusters-with-slime-filled-twinkies|url-status=live}}</ref> In the film, the character [[Egon Spengler]] describes a speculated level of psychokinetic energy and uses a regular-sized Twinkie to represent the normal level of such energy in [[New York City]]. He then says that based on a recent sample, the Twinkie representing New York would be over {{cvt|35|ft|m}} long and weigh approximately {{cvt|600|lb|kg}}, to which the character [[Winston Zeddemore]] replies, "That's a big Twinkie."<ref name=hays/>

On [[Christmas Eve]] in 1988, [[Al Powell]], one of the most iconic characters of the action film ''[[Die Hard]]'', is introduced to the audience as a big Twinkie fan, in a scene where he is seen at a local [[7-Eleven]] near the Nakatomi Plaza also known as the  ''[[2121 Avenue of the Stars]]'' or formerly the Fox Plaza buying many Twinkies. When he proceeds to pay, Powell jokingly says to the store clerk  "they're for my wife... she's pregnant" and the clerk sarcastically acknowledges and agrees.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtS-Ay_Bsyg | title=Die Hard film 1988: Sergeant al Powell buying Twinkies | website=[[YouTube]] | date=December 5, 2019 }}</ref>

The 1999 ''[[Family Guy]]'' episode "[[Da Boom]]" involves the [[Griffin family]] moving to [[Natick|Natick, Massachusetts]], in search of a Twinkie factory following the [[Year 2000 problem|Y2K apocalypse]]. The factory is shown to have survived completely intact, allowing the Griffins to use it as a food source and a means to rebuild society.

In the 2009 film ''[[Zombieland]]'', Twinkies are the favorite snack of the character Tallahassee, who develops an obsession with finding one in the middle of a [[Zombie apocalypse]].

During Hostess Brands' 2012 bankruptcy proceedings, television host [[Wendy Williams]] launched a "Save the Twinkie" campaign on her show to bring awareness to the financial problems of its parent company, and attempt to save the product from stopping production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2012 |title=Wendy Williams Launches ‘Save the Twinkie’ Campaign Amid Hostess Bankruptcy Filing |url=https://afro.com/wendy-williams-launches-save-the-twinkie-campaign-amid-hostess-bankruptcy-filing/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=[[Baltimore Afro-American]]}}</ref>

===Song lyrics===
"[[Habits (Stay High)]]", a 2013 song by Swedish singer [[Tove Lo]], mentions Twinkies in the line "I get home, I got the munchies / Binge on all my Twinkies / Throw up in the tub / Then I go to sleep."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.relationshipcentersv.com/blog/2015/2/6/heart-break-for-the-self-respecting-woman |title=Heart Break For The Self-Respecting Woman |last1=Pathak |first1=Shirani M. |date=6 October 2014 |website=Relationship Center of Silicon Valley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402090742/http://www.relationshipcentersv.com/blog/2015/2/6/heart-break-for-the-self-respecting-woman |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=11 February 2016 }}</ref> In an interview, the singer confessed she had thought that "twinkie" was a synonym for "cookie" and that Hostess had sent her a sample of the product after the success of the song.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/04/tove-lo-interview.html |title=Tove Lo on Coming Back from Surgery and the Stupidity of Censorship |last1=Held |first1=Joey |website=[[Paste Magazine]] |date=April 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815065801/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/04/tove-lo-interview.html |archive-date=August 15, 2015 |access-date=11 February 2016 }}</ref>

===Twinkie defense===
{{Main|Twinkie defense}}

"Twinkie defense" is a derisive label for an improbable [[Defense (legal)|legal defense]]. It is not a recognized legal defense in [[jurisprudence]], but a catch-all term coined by reporters during their coverage of the trial of defendant [[Dan White]] for [[Moscone–Milk assassinations|the murders]] of [[San Francisco]] city Supervisor [[Harvey Milk]] and Mayor [[George Moscone]]. White's defense was that he suffered [[Diminished responsibility|diminished capacity]] as a result of his depression. His change in diet from healthful food to Twinkies and other sugary foods was said to be a symptom of depression. Contrary to common belief, White's attorneys did not argue that the Twinkies were the cause of White's actions, but that their consumption was symptomatic of his underlying depression.<ref name="latimes-twinkie-defense" />

===Shelf life===
A common [[urban legend]] claims that Twinkies have a theoretically infinite [[shelf life]], and can last unspoiled for a relatively long time of ten, fifty, or one hundred years due to the chemicals used in their production.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/twinkies.asp |title=Forever Twinkies | publisher=Snopes – Urban Legends Reference Pages |date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011 }}</ref>

According to a company executive, Twinkies are on the shelf for a short time; he told ''[[The New York Times]]'' in 2000 that the "Twinkie is on the shelf no more than 7 to 10 days."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/23/nyregion/twinkie-strike-afflicts-fans-with-snack-famine.html |title=Twinkie Strike Afflicts Fans With Snack Famine |last=Kelley |first=Tina |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 23, 2000 |access-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-date=September 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904052221/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/23/nyregion/twinkie-strike-afflicts-fans-with-snack-famine.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The maximum shelf life was reported to have been 26 days, until the addition of stronger preservatives made beginning in 2012 increased it to 45 days.<ref name="ABC">{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/hostess-brands-comeback-include-twinkies-cupcakes-hohos-dingdongs/story?id=19615151 | title=What's New About the Twinkie and Other Hostess Brands Favorites | publisher=ABC News | date=July 9, 2013 | access-date=July 22, 2013 | author=Kim, Susanna | archive-date=July 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716004242/http://abcnews.go.com/Business/hostess-brands-comeback-include-twinkies-cupcakes-hohos-dingdongs/story?id=19615151 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="time" /> A box of Twinkies from shortly before Hostess's bankruptcy in 2012 was opened eight years later; one had completely molded over with [[cladosporium]], another had a small amount of mold, and the creme filling in a third Twinkie had turned brown with the taste of "old sock".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/15/923411578/a-disturbing-twinkie-that-has-so-far-defied-science|title=A disturbing Twinkie that has so far defied science|first=Neil|last=Greenfield-Boyce|work=[[All Things Considered]]|date=October 15, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023011021/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/15/923411578/a-disturbing-twinkie-that-has-so-far-defied-science|url-status=live}}</ref>

The TV show ''[[The Simpsons]]'' depicted this claim in its 5th-season episode "[[Homer and Apu]]". A customer at the [[Kwik-E-Mart]] screws up a Twinkie and throws it on the floor in anger. Apu shouts after him, saying he cannot hurt a Twinkie. It then pops back into shape and Apu puts it back on the stand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://simpsonswiki.com/wiki/Twinkie#cite_note-1|title=Twinkie|website=Wikisimpsons}}</ref>

It has even been claimed that Twinkies could survive a [[nuclear war]].<ref name="time">{{Cite book |last=TIME |first=The Editors of |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ESaiDAAAQBAJ&dq=twinkies+nuclear+war&pg=PT115 |title=TIME American Originals: The Things That Shaped Our Culture |date=2016-06-24 |publisher=Time Inc. Books |isbn=978-1-68330-278-0 |language=en}}</ref>

The 2012 Super Bowl Chevy Silverado Apocalypse commercial also gives a nod to the Twinkie's reputed durability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adweek.com/creativity/chevy-guys-live-ford-guys-die-silverados-super-bowl-ad-137970/ |title=Chevy Guys Live, Ford Guys Die in Silverado's Super Bowl Ad |publisher=Adweek -Creativity |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419111345/http://www.adweek.com/creativity/chevy-guys-live-ford-guys-die-silverados-super-bowl-ad-137970/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Twinkie diet===
In 2010, [[Kansas State University]] professor Mark Haub went on a "convenience store" diet consisting mainly<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2010/11/nutrition-profs-convenience-store-diet-shows-calories-count-most-when-sheddin/|title=Nutrition prof's 'convenience store' diet shows calories count most when shedding pounds|date=2010-11-12|website=MinnPost|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-18|archive-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218185401/https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2010/11/nutrition-profs-convenience-store-diet-shows-calories-count-most-when-sheddin/|url-status=live}}</ref> of a snack of Twinkies, [[Oreo]]s, or [[Doritos]] every 3 hours in an attempt to demonstrate to his students "...that in weight loss, pure calorie counting is what matters most, not the nutritional value of the food." He lost {{convert|27|lb|kg}} over a two-month period, returning his [[body mass index]] (BMI) to within normal range.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/ |first=Madison |last=Park |publisher=CNN |title=Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628230409/http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://evilcyber.com/losing-weight/exclusive-interview-mark-haub/ |title=Exclusive Interview with Prof. Mark Haub |publisher=evilcyber.com |access-date=March 2, 2013 |archive-date=March 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314195239/http://evilcyber.com/losing-weight/exclusive-interview-mark-haub/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to Twinkies, Haub ate [[Little Debbie]] snack cakes, cereals, cookies, brownies, Doritos, Oreos and other kinds of high calorie, low-nutrition foods that are usually found at convenience stores. However, despite calling it the "Twinkie diet", Haub also consumed 1 [[Protein supplement|protein shake]] per day and one serving of [[Green bean|canned green beans]] or 4 [[Celery|celery stalks]], along with the Twinkies, [[Oreo]]s, and [[Doritos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.organicauthority.com/health/the-twinkie-diet.html|title=Healthy Diet of Twinkies? – Organic Authority|date=December 2, 2010|website=Organicauthority.com|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=August 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825185922/http://www.organicauthority.com/health/the-twinkie-diet.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Besides the protein shake and multivitamin, Haub also ate nutritionally dense whole milk, carrots, and vitamin fortified cereal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/junkfood-diet-proves-fat-success-20101110-17n0o.html|title=Mark Haub junk food diet experiment|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=November 10, 2010|access-date=February 22, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223130619/http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/junkfood-diet-proves-fat-success-20101110-17n0o.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{ Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il14X_zKvbA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/il14X_zKvbA| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live| title=Mark Haub's Snack Food Diet| website=[[YouTube]]| date=September 13, 2010|access-date=2021-02-14}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV61vdNmUYc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/kV61vdNmUYc| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|title=K-State Professor Talks About His Junk Food Diet And Nutrition Labels| website=[[YouTube]]| date=September 25, 2015|access-date=2021-02-14}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This contradicts representations by other media outlets stating that Haub "only" ate junk food.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/R-D/Professor-aims-to-dispel-diet-myths-with-calorie-controlled-junk-food-diet|title=Professor aims to dispel diet myths with calorie-controlled junk food diet|website=foodnavigator-usa.com|date=September 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006132648/http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/R-D/Professor-aims-to-dispel-diet-myths-with-calorie-controlled-junk-food-diet|url-status=live}}</ref> He ate the vegetables at the dinner table in order to set a good example for his children.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html|access-date=2022-02-21|website=www.cnn.com|language=en|archive-date=April 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412070414/http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is claimed legendary bodybuilder [[Sergio Oliva]] would sometimes indulge in eating a box of Twinkies (with a 2 liter bottle of [[Mountain Dew]]) after his notoriously strenuous workouts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |date=2021-07-04 |title=Sergio Oliva's Workout Routine |url=https://ironandgrit.com/2021/07/04/sergio-oliva-workout-routine/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Iron and Grit Fitness |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Genetics Ever? Why It Has To Be Sergio Oliva |url=https://musculardevelopment.com/news/bodybuilding-news/5028-best-genetics-ever-why-it-has-to-be-sergio-oliva.html |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=musculardevelopment.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Food}}
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Chocodile Twinkie]]
* [[Ding Dong]]
* [[Ho Hos]]
* [[Ladyfinger (biscuit)]]
* [[List of deep fried foods]]
* [[Twinkie the Kid]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Ettlinger|first=Steve|year=2007|title=Twinkie Deconstructed|publisher=National Geographic Books |url=https://archive.org/details/twinkiedeconstru00stev|url-access=registration|isbn=978-0452289284}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Twinkies}}
* [http://hostesscakes.com/Products Products Page on Hostess' website] 
* [https://www.crumbscarnivaltreats.com/products/deep-fried-twinkies Products Page on Crumbs Carnival Treats website] 
* [http://www.twinkiesproject.org/ The T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. Project]
* [http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0504/p11s02-lifo.html Twinkies at 75: munch 'em, fry 'em, save 'em for years, ''The Christian Science Monitor'']
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-_FO9p8Xdg Weird Al Yankovic making a Twinkie wiener sandwich] at [[YouTube]]

{{Snack cakes}}
{{Deep frying foods}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Brand name snack foods]]
[[Category:Deep fried foods]]
[[Category:Hostess Brands brands]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1930]]
[[Category:American snack foods]]
[[Category:Stuffed desserts]]