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Hostess Brands

Hostess Brands

www.jmsmucker.com
What is your customer experience with Hostess Brands?

Hostess Brands Overview

The generated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.

Based on reviews, created with AI
Rating Distribution

Hostess Brands has a 2.0 star rating from 288 reviews; 43% would recommend. Overall sentiment is mostly dissatisfied with quality, freshness, shrinkflation, and packaging issues.

Key Takeaways for Future Customers

  • Check expiration dates and inspect products before eating.
  • Expect smaller portions and recipe changes versus classic Hostess taste.
  • Customer service and refunds may be hard to obtain; keep receipts.

Negative Feedback / Risk Areas

  • Recurring customer complaints about mold, stale or expired items, and missing filling.
  • Poor quality control and packaging leading to safety concerns.
  • Difficulty reaching customer service and slow refunds or exchanges.

Positive Feedback

Some long‑time fans still praise the classic taste and certain products remain favored by teachers and families.

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Media from reviews

Hostess Brands - 10 donuts in the bag
Hostess Brands - 10 donuts in the bag - Image 2Hostess Brands - 10 donuts in the bag - Image 3Hostess Brands - Bad donuts made me sickHostess Brands - How do I get an answer from HOSTESS? Last two packages of Ding *** are...Hostess Brands - How do I get an answer from HOSTESS? Last two packages of Ding... - Image 2Hostess Brands - They made their cupcaker smaller, barely any feeling, and they're not as...
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Show reviews that mention
hostess donuts cream white ding cakes cupcakes cupcake snack cake ding
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Etan A

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Albany, New York

10 donuts in the bag

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Hostess Brands - 10 donuts in the bag
Hostess Brands - 10 donuts in the bag - Image 2
Hostess Brands - 10 donuts in the bag - Image 3

I opened up a bag of your hostess powered donuts it was 10 donuts in there it is ridiculous I've been eating these donuts for at least 40 years and I've never seen anything like this before. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

I understand that the economy is hard right now but come on. They are my favorite snack and I love them but to pay $3.99 for 10 mini donuts is crazy.

I hope that you make this right and at least put enough in the bag that you can see the donuts in the bag and not the see through plastic. They are definitely delicious

Sincerely a fan but upset

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Patty P Bia

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Manorville, New York

I purchased the hostess danish cherry...

AI Highlights
  • - Green mold on a Hostess cherry and cream cheese Danish.
  • - Bought 4/12/26; exp 4/18.26; issue 4/13/26.
  • - Son won’t eat them anymore because of this.

I purchased the hostess danish cherry and cream cheese. My son was eating one; he used to love them, but unfortunately, he noticed it had green mold on it!

He threw it out. I don’t want anything, just to make you aware that this happened. I bought them 4/12/26; the expiration date is 4/18/26. This happened on 4/13/26; they expire tomorrow, so I don’t know why this would happen.

He's the kind of kid that will not eat this anymore. I'm so sorry for this experience!

Loss:
$5

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Inspect everything before you eat it

View full review
Sarah L Xju

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Bakersfield, California

Bad donuts made me sick

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AI Highlights
  • - Donuts were 19 days expired.
  • - I have proof of purchase and identity.
  • - Made me very sick.
  • - Best by Nov 2, 2025.
Hostess Brands - Bad donuts made me sick
Updated by user Nov 20, 2025

I haven't really dealt with them yet

Original review Nov 17, 2025

Donuts were 19 days expired. I have proof of purchase and identity. Made me very sick. Don't

The bar code numbers are

888109****44

Best by Nov. 2, 2025

I purchased them on Nov. 15, 2025, from Circle K gas station, 2601 White Ln, Bakersfield, CA, 93304. I have the receipt and other proof. I'll email proof of doctor's visits and diagnoses as soon as I get copies. Thank you for your time.

Loss:
$50
Pros:
  • Availability
Cons:
  • Short shelf life

Preferred solution: been purchasing your products for over 30 years. I especially enjoy the white powdered donuts and the Crumb Donuts, but also love the white frosted honey buns.

User's recommendation: Don't by donuts by Hostess or anything from Circle K on White Lane in Bakersfield unless you check expiration date!!!

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Janet B Qet

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Steubenville, Ohio

A coffee cake was hard as a rock.

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Opened a box of Hostess coffe cakes and one was hard as a rock. I didnt know if it was ok to eat the rest.

Pros:
  • Always fresh
Cons:
  • No cons

Preferred solution: Full refund

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Ginger W Rti

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

How do I get an answer from HOSTESS? Last two packages of Ding *** are HORRIBLE. Marshmello inside not cream. Can’t even chew. !! Is this NEW? Bought three boxes and had to throw away !! Nasty

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AI Highlights
  • - Cream filling is missing and marshmallow is hard.
  • - The cake is dry and three boxes were wasted; please restore the creamy filling.
Hostess Brands - How do I get an answer from HOSTESS? Last two packages of Ding *** are...
Hostess Brands - How do I get an answer from HOSTESS? Last two packages of Ding... - Image 2

Did you stop putting cream inside and go to a sticky hard to chew marshmallow?? Wasted money on three boxes.

Cake is dry and marshmallow inside is horrible. Grandkids choke on thick marshmallow in the Ding *** Where did the yummy cream go? Pocketpomslv@***.com. Ginger.

702807-****. Please put creamy filling back and moist cakey

User's recommendation: Don’t buy Ding *** they changed and are horrible.

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Peggie A Gxl

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Stockton, California

You took the white ding *** away from me!

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AI Highlights
  • - Loved white ding; after trying it, I knew I would never go back.
  • - The white ding is gone.

No more white ding *** When I ate my first white ding *** I knew I would never go back. And then poof, they're gone.

What is wrong with you guys? And now when I go to get a dessert, nothing sounds good.

Preferred solution: I want white ding ***

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Tom M Tuu
map-marker Baldwinsville, New York

Bad product

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AI Highlights
  • - Impossible to reach a representative.
  • - Will no longer buy Hostess products.
  • - Customer service was poor and the company does not care about this customer.

Impossible to get a representative. Will no longer be buying any Hostess products.

Have eaten and enjoyed many brands.

What is such poor customer service for the first time in decades? I can no longer support a company that doesn't care about this customer.

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Kathleen W Acx

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Verified Reviewer

They made their cupcaker smaller, barely any feeling, and they're not as good as they used to be.But luckily, I found a good cupcake at walmart, they sell there only at walmart.Oh my god, these are be

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Hostess Brands - They made their cupcaker smaller, barely any feeling, and they're not as...

Nastiest, cupcakes, since they changed everything made them very small, not much cream, they're greed. Did this

User's recommendation: I'll be telling future people that I've been telling a lot of people now don't buy hostess. They're nasty now, look how small they are..

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Denise D Dti

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Verified Reviewer

My kindergarten students love donetts

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AI Highlights
  • - The morning snack is liked by all students and approved by parents.
  • - Eight bags last about three weeks; they stay fresh and kids look forward to snack.

I have to say, after all my years teaching kindergarten, I have finally found a morning snack that every student likes and every parent approves of. I buy in bulk; usually, 8 bags last 3 weeks. They stay fresh, and the kids always ask first thing in the morning if they will be having snack time today.

Cons:
  • Cost

Preferred solution: coupons

User's recommendation: Find coupons!

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Kimora F Vpt

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Verified Reviewer

Project pitch

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AI Highlights
  • - A campaign blending storytelling, nostalgia, and engagement.
  • - It reconnects generations through taste and memory, recalling Twinkie and CupCake.

Hello, I wanted to share an idea for this company that I am passionate about. This pitch combines everything I love working on: creative storytelling, visual nostalgia, and consumer engagement.

Its not just about snacking, its about reconnecting generations through taste and memory.

People remember biting into a Twinkie after school or opening a lunchbox to find a CupCake. That emotion is powerful, and Hostess is in a unique position to tap into that joy with authenticity.

Would you like me to build a sample script or visual ad idea from this campaign?

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Ken Act

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Shrinkflation

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I see Hostess cupcakes are smaller now, making us pay more for less. What a shame. Wonder what Dolly Madison is up to.

Preferred solution: Our full size cupcakes back.

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Tammy C Nef

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Bad cakes

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AI Highlights
  • - Bought 2 crumb cakes that smelled of kerosene.
  • - Returned to the Kannapolis store at 2850 S Cannon Blvd; I am disappointed and this won't happen again.
Updated by user Mar 28, 2025

They just didn't care!!

Updated by user Mar 19, 2025

They took forever to answer, that's just their beginning, she was rude and told me what happened could not have happened, I got absolutely no help, oh they wanted to send me coupons are you kidding me I got 2 cakes that smelled like kerosene, I will never eat another hostess in my life.

Original review Mar 12, 2025

I bought 2 crumb cakes and when my husband and I opened them all you could smell was kerosene, we took them back to the store 2850 S Cannon Blvd, Kannapolis, NC 28083, this is the address of the store that they were bought them at I did not have that information when I talked to your rep. I am very disappointed this has happened before, but believe me it will not happen again.

Cons:
  • Smell like kerosene
  • Do not listen to consumer
  • Paint thinner taste

Preferred solution: I would like for someone to figure out why the cakes smelled like kerosene.

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Carolyn C Wfk

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Packaging

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AI Highlights
  • - The wire sealing device should be added back to the package.
  • - Donuts go stale in 3-4 days.
  • - We throw away part of each package and buy less often.

The wire sealing device needs to be added back onto the package. The donuts go stale within 3 or 4 days.

Not everyone scarfs down the whole package in a day or two! Not everyone eats them every day. I usually throw away part of every package we purchase. Therefore, we don't purchase them as often as we would like to.

We are both retired on a limited budget. Thank you!

Loss:
$2
Pros:
  • Delicious

Preferred solution: Going back to old packaging for Hostess Donets.

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James Fpn

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Cherry pie rip off

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AI Highlights
  • - Claims they were cheated over mini cherry pies.
  • - Claims pricing is worse than gouging.
  • - Says business is greedy and will go out of business.
Hostess Brands - Cherry pie rip off

Go out of business. You have cheated me out of my money with the mini cherry pies.

This is worse than price gouging.

Your greedy ways are not only going to put you out of business. God will take care of you for doing it any more to His people.

Pros:
  • Love the cherry pie
Cons:
  • Hate the size for the same price

Preferred solution: Price reduction

User's recommendation: Don't buy anything from this greedy business

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Anonymous

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
| map-marker Orlando, Florida

The zingers were awful much dancer and smaller did no tastes like old recipe I've been eating them since I was a kid I'm now 75

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Hostess Brands - The zingers were awful much dancer and smaller did no tastes like old...
Contains 3 confidential files for company representatives

What is going on with quality control and you tasters they are awful i was brought up with this. Brand in now 75

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Ralph J Wdo

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
|

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

What did you guys do to raspberry zingers they are total *** anymore a waste of 5 bucks

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Hostess Brands - What did you guys do to raspberry zingers they are total *** anymore a...
Hostess Brands - What did you guys do to raspberry zingers they are total ***... - Image 2
Contains 1 confidential file for company representatives

No filling, dry, and hard bar code 88109 1****. My dog won't even eat it.

You need to send me my money back, plus compensate for my time. I'll never buy your products again.

Loss:
$350

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: Don't buy it

View full review

About

Related Companies

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Summary

Hostess Brands, LLC is a large bakery company. It was established in 1919. Its headquarters is based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America. The company is owned by HB Holdings, LLC. Hostess Brands produces fresh-baked bread and sweet goods including crème-filled snack cakes, CupCakes, Honey Bun, and Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake. The company operates 36 bakeries and 570 bakery retail outlets. The Hostess Brands portfolio includes Wonder Bread, Home Pride, Ding Dongs, Drake’s Cakes, Fruit Pies, and many more. Hostess Brands has over 15000 employees. Hostess Brands regular hours are as follows: Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. CST.

Hostess Brands reviews and complaints

Hostess Brands is ranked 328 out of 3247 in Food Manufacturers category

Area Served

USA

Payment Methods

VISAMasterCard

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