Most Americans are mourning the loss of the Twinkie following news that its maker, Hostess Brands, will shut down. But the baking giant's announcement spells the end for many other packaged treats.
That list includes a smattering of fluffy baked goods like Ho Hos, Ring Dings, Donettes, Hostess CupCakes, and bright pink Sno Balls.
What's interesting about the Sno Ball is that it's actually just a jazzed-up version of another (and more famous) Hostess snack cake. Beneath a dusting of coconut flakes and a layer of marshmallow is simply an upside-down Hostess CupCake.
And that's just the beginning of the Sno Ball's interesting history.
More details about the Sno Ball's past and how the pillow-y treat is made are uncovered in an episode of the Food Network's "Unwrapped." We've pulled out the key points.
The Sno Ball was introduced in 1947, shortly after rationing on goods like flour and sugar from World War II had ended.
For this reason, the sugary mounds were instantly popular with Americans who were just re-discovering their taste for processed baked goods.
See the full Unwrapped episode >
Sno Balls were originally just chocolate cakes covered in marshmallow and coconut. The gooey orbs didn't receive creme filling or their signature pink tint until 1950.
See the full Unwrapped episode >
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