There were many things going on this last week that was interesting on the T.V., like the British Golf Championship, the royal baby, hot weather and the absence of rain and the return of the Twinkie. When the Hostess bakery went bankrupt, it was hard for me to understand. I always bought Wonder bread and the same went for any of their snack cakes, especially the Twinkie. How could this happen when I thought their product was the best around. On May 4, 2012 the parent company Hostess filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In the last year the company was down 36 million packages. Hostess said the American customers had migrated to healthier snacks. I kept thinking the Hostess Company would find some way to stay in business, but on November 16, 2012 at 7:00 AM Hostess 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 all brands. Bakery operations has been suspended at all plants. Delivery of products will continue and Hostess Brands stores will remain open for several days in order to sell already baked goods.

I thought, “Would this be the end of the American snack cake, marketed as a Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling?” However, on March 12, 2013, it was reported that Twinkies would return to the store shelves. Apollo Global Management purchased some of the hostess brands to bring Twinkies and other favorites back. Twinkies returned to US shelves on July 15, 2013. When you buy the new Twinkie you will notice different packaging, no longer the bright blue box. The new Twinkies are smaller than the original Twinkies, containing 135 calories compared to 150 calories in the original Twinkie. The actual Twinkie weighs 43 grams and offer very little nutritional value. Each Twinkie contains: 130 calories, 18 grams of fat, 18 grams of sugar and 20 mg. of cholesterol.

Can you imagine what the nutrients of a fried Twinkie? I have heard it is actually very good and some people put it to #1 for food on a stick and at most state fairs I’ve been told, “you just have to try it.”

There are many recipes using Twinkies. This is one that is easy and good.

QUICK TWINKIE DESSERT

1 box of 10 Twinkies

chopped pecans

3 oz. cream cheese,

softened

2 pkgs. butter pecan

instant pudding

3 cups of milk

1 large container of Cool

Whip

Usually uses 9 twinkles. Slice Twinkies in half and line 9 X 13 Pan. Prepare 2 packages of butter pecan instant pudding with 3 cups of milk. Soften 1-3 oz. package of cream cheese and blend into pudding mixture after you have added 1 cup of milk and then add rest of milk. Spread pudding mixture pudding mixture over Twinkies. Spread 1 large container of Cool Whip over top of pudding.

Sprinkle a few chopped pecans over the top and refrigerate.

“Welcome Back to the Twinkies.”