History

The Classic Hostess Cupcake was first invented in 1919; though it was not until 1950 that "the signature seven squiggles and vanilla creme filling¹"(Hostess) were added. The Hostess Cupcake is widely regarded as the, hands down, best selling snack cake in history.

The product slogan, "You get a big delight in every bite¹"(Hostess) captures the essence of the snack treat perfectly. A delicious baked cupcake, filled with vannila creme, covered with a layer of chocolate icing, and topped off with a squiggle of frosting comprises the classic cupcake.

The Importance of Selection

Upon purchasing a double pack of Hostess Cupcakes, it is important to remember that certain abnormalities in production can make for a more delightful taste treat. For example, in cupcake manufacturting an extra amount of chocolate icing is sometimes applied to the top of the cupcake. This is what is known as a Chocolate Flow, as the excess amount of icing often drips or cascades down the side of the cupcake. Now, an extra amount of sugar is always something to strive for, so one must carefully select each cupcake treat to receive the maximum amount of chocolate and thereby effectively increasing one's sugar buzz. General guidelines for identifying icing flows are as follows.

The Hunt for the Ridge

Because of the manner in which Hostess Cupcakes are packaged, chocolate spotting is severely impeded without tearing open the package and individually examining each cupcake. However, certain factors visible on the top of the cupcake can signal the probability of a chocolate flow. Icing cascades often form what is known as a Ridge Phenomenon on the top of the cupcake. The ridge is a visible lip of chocolate around the top edges of a Hostess Cupcake. Characteristics common to ridge formations are as follows:

1. A high ridge is overtly visible lip on the top of the cupcake. This means that one can easily identify a hill or buldge of chocolate icing, usually occuring around the edges of the cupcake. High ridges typically form a cresent type shape curling around the cupcake. The cresent shape of a high ridge normally doesn't extend beyond a semicircle and is commonly reffered to as a medium level ridge phenomenon. However, certain myths do tell of the existence of a full high ridge, but such rumors are, as of yet, unconfirmed.
2. The cupcake sits unevenly in the package. This is a dead giveaway to the existence of a massive chocolate flow. Uneven cupcakes normally are referred to as the "mother load" of chocolate flows. The cupcake rests at a slant inside the package because so much chocolate has dripped over one side that the cupcake no longer retains it's original, cylindrical shape. This can be a tricky ridge formation to spot, though, as most of the chocolate has fallen down the side of the cupcake rather than creating an easily visible pool at the top.
3. The plastic packaging is sticking to the top of the cupcake. This is a good signal for finding a hidden ridge. The chocolate is buldging so much that the plastic has become temporarily glued to it. However, packaging should, if at all possible, not be relied on solely for finding a ridge, as the phenomenon can occur outside of the existence of a buldge of chocolate if, for instance, the package was not sealed correctly.

The Pyrite of Ridge Detection

Finally, it is very important that all chocolate hunters be wary of the Fool's Ridge. The fool's ridge appears to signal a chocolate flow, but upon purchase and consumption is most often found only to be a trick of light or of one's own imagination. A fool's ridge can occur as a result of poor or uneven lighting coupled with improper cupcake inspection.

In addition to the dangers of the fool's ridge, chocolate hunters must also be extremely aware of the existence of the False Ridge. The false ridge comes as a result of inconsistently spread icing, causing what appears to be a ridge phenomenon, but is, in actuality, not an excess, but an absense of chocolate. Though a ridge formation is present in the event of a false ridge, it is because the normal amount of icing has pooled to one side and does not evenly cover the cupcake.

The Hostess Cupcake is a delicious snack treat which has been pleasing the world for generations; and with a little consumer initiative, it can be just a little more satisfying.