1. Hostess Fruit Pies
Before artisan bakeries and gourmet cupcakes, kids of the 1970s reached for foil-wrapped, cellophane-sealed, and deep-fried treasures. Snack cakes were more than treats, they were rewards in lunchboxes, gas station pickups, and corner-store indulgences. The waxy wrapper alone of Hostess Fruit Pies brings back memories. These half-moon pastries were crammed with gooey fillings in apple, cherry, or lemon flavors. The crust was dense and sweet, while the fruit inside was thick enough to almost glow. They were cheap, portable, and indulgent, making them a must-have in countless school bags. For many kids, peeling back that wrapper was the sweetest part of an ordinary day, and biting in felt like holding onto the best part of childhood.
2. Twinkies
Twinkies weren’t just a snack, they became cultural symbols of the 1970s. The golden sponge cakes wrapped around soft creamy filling were light, airy, and comforting. They were the kind of snack you pulled straight from your lunchbox and instantly felt happier. Some kids froze them for later while others simply devoured them in seconds. They had a reputation for lasting forever, which only added to their charm and myth. Twinkies carried a little bit of magic, something about the way they looked simple yet delivered so much delight. Whether eaten after school or shared on the playground, Twinkies were unforgettable treasures that turned every bite into a piece of nostalgia.
3. Hostess Snowballs
Snowballs were the kind of snack that divided friends, but they were impossible to ignore. Their neon pink coconut covering stood out on any store shelf, hiding a chocolate cake filled with marshmallow. They were soft, sticky, and messy, but for those who loved them, that was the fun. They looked like something from a cartoon, and biting into one felt like stepping into a world of color and sugar. They weren’t everyday treats, but when they showed up, they felt like small celebrations. Even those who didn’t like coconut still remember seeing them in lunchboxes, glowing like sweet little sugar-coated badges of childhood.
4. Ring Ding Jr.
Wrapped in shiny foil, Ring Ding Jr. cakes were small treasures that felt like little gifts. Pulling back the wrapper revealed a rich chocolate cake with cream filling inside, dense enough to feel like more than a snack. They had a fudge-like flavor that made them seem special, even indulgent. They were compact, neat, and always satisfying, the kind of snack you ate slowly to savor every bite. Ring Dings stood apart from lighter treats, giving kids a more substantial choice. Whether tucked into school lunches or picked up at the corner store, they carried a sense of occasion that kids of the 70s never forgot.
5. Devil Dogs
Drake’s Devil Dogs were simple but strong in flavor and memory. Two layers of firm chocolate cake sandwiched creamy filling, making them heavier than most packaged treats. Their drier texture demanded a glass of milk to balance every bite, which became part of the ritual. They didn’t have flashy colors or fancy designs, but that wasn’t the point. They were the reliable friend in a lunchbox, the snack you could count on. For chocolate lovers, they became the alternative to lighter cakes, something heartier and more filling. Devil Dogs showed that even the plainest of snacks could hold onto a generation’s affection.
6. Yodels
Rolled cakes always felt playful, and Yodels were a shining example. Drake’s offered these chocolate rolls filled with cream and dipped in a smooth coating that made them irresistible. They were compact, easy to unwrap, and just the right size for kids to enjoy. Some carefully unrolled them piece by piece, while others ate them quickly without hesitation. Yodels often sparked debates with friends who swore by HoHos, but to their loyal fans, nothing compared. They carried a polished feel, wrapped tightly and neatly, and delivered flavor without fail. Yodels weren’t just snacks, they were moments of joy that felt like simple victories.
7. Hostess HoHos
HoHos were spiral cakes of chocolate and cream, small enough to fit in any pocket yet sweet enough to brighten the dullest afternoon. They were a national favorite, giving Hostess an edge in the cake wars. Kids often compared them to Yodels, and while the arguments never ended, the truth is both had their charm. HoHos carried a playful swirl design that made them easy to recognize, and peeling back the wrapper to reveal that glaze was part of the fun. They packed just enough sweetness to satisfy without overwhelming, and for many kids, they became a familiar staple of every week.
8. Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls
Swiss Cake Rolls felt like the friendly alternative to HoHos and Yodels. They were affordable, came in packs of two, and delivered double the fun. The soft chocolate cake rolled around creamy filling wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be. Families bought them because they stretched a budget, but kids loved them because they tasted just as good as anything else on the shelf. They were the kind of snack you could find in most homes, unpretentious yet unforgettable. Little Debbie’s Swiss Cake Rolls became a symbol of everyday sweetness, the kind you always looked forward to unwrapping.
9. Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies
Soft, chewy, and generously sized, Oatmeal Creme Pies were comfort in plastic wrappers. Two oatmeal cookies held a thick cream filling that tasted sweet but also familiar, almost homemade. They were bigger than most Little Debbie snacks, which made them feel special. Parents liked them because they seemed wholesome with their oatmeal base, but kids liked them because they were delicious. They became more than snacks, they were the kind of treat that reminded you of warmth and family. The chewy texture, the spice of the cookies, and the smooth cream all blended into something that lasted well beyond the 70s.
10. Moon Pies
Moon Pies carried a name that made kids feel like they were reaching for something futuristic, but the flavor stayed classic. With marshmallow filling sandwiched between graham crackers and covered in chocolate, they were chewy, hearty, and fun to eat. Originally tied to Southern lunches with RC Cola, they had spread across the country by the 70s. They weren’t flashy, but they filled you up and gave you that satisfying balance of crunch and softness. Moon Pies stuck to your fingers, your teeth, and your memory, leaving you with the kind of snack experience you always wanted to repeat.
11. Suzy Q’s
Suzy Q’s were bold, rectangular, and messy in the best way. Two layers of chocolate cake sandwiched a huge stripe of cream that felt more generous than most snacks dared. They were bigger, denser, and definitely required a napkin, but kids didn’t mind. They felt like dessert more than just a quick snack, and for many, that’s what made them special. Hostess Suzy Q’s turned an ordinary school lunch into something that felt indulgent, almost like cheating the rules. They left chocolate smudges on your hands and cream on your lips, but those messes became part of the memory.
12. Funny Bones
Funny Bones brought peanut butter into the mix, and that made them stand out instantly. These chocolate cakes filled with peanut butter cream and covered in chocolate coating were rich, heavy, and satisfying in a way few snacks could match. They weren’t just sweet, they had depth, and peanut butter fans adored them. Kids traded away other snacks just for the chance to grab one. Funny Bones were the kind of treat that felt more like dessert than a quick bite, leaving you full and happy. They gave the snack cake world something extra, making peanut butter lovers lifelong fans.
13. Drake’s Coffee Cakes
Sometimes the simplest snacks left the biggest impressions, and Drake’s Coffee Cakes proved it. Golden, soft cakes topped with cinnamon crumbs were as much a breakfast treat as a dessert. They felt a little grown-up, the kind of snack that parents and kids could enjoy together. The crumbly topping stuck to your fingers while the buttery cake melted in your mouth. They weren’t as flashy as pink coconut or chocolate rolls, but they carried quiet comfort. Coffee Cakes were snacks that didn’t try too hard but still delivered warmth, and that made them a staple of family kitchens everywhere.
14. Hostess CupCakes
Hostess CupCakes stood tall with their chocolate base, creamy filling, and signature white icing swirl on top. They looked a little more polished than other snacks, almost like real bakery cupcakes, but still carried that familiar plastic-wrapped charm. Unwrapping one felt like opening a gift, and biting into the cream center made the swirl on top feel even more meaningful. They were one of the most recognizable treats of the decade, a perfect mix of playful design and reliable taste. For kids of the 70s, Hostess CupCakes turned snack time into something that felt just a little more special.
15. McDonald’s Fried Pies
Even though they weren’t boxed cakes, McDonald’s fried pies belong on this list. In the 70s, they were deep-fried instead of baked, giving them a crispy, blistered crust packed with hot fruit filling inside. Apple and cherry were the favorites, but seasonal flavors kept things exciting. Grabbing one at the counter made any trip to McDonald’s feel complete. They were quick, cheap, and unforgettable, the kind of treat you begged your parents for when you spotted them on the menu. Fried pies tied snack culture together, blending fast food with sweet cravings and leaving a flavor that never really left.
This story 15 Snack Cakes From the 1970s That Defined Our Childhoods was first published on Daily FETCH
