Consumer Product Comparison Review: Hostess Cupcakes and Aunt Hannah Brand Cupcakes

In 2006, cupcakes experienced a rebirth of sorts. The delicious dessert treat gained a new prominence among celebrity chefs, television talk- show hosts and lovers of quality sweets everywhere. In America, the most well- known and best- selling brand of packaged cupcakes are Hostess Cupcakes. In their familiar twin- packs, the chocolate, orange and vanilla frosted cupcakes made by Hostess Cakes are true American icons.

Being a chef and food writer, with an innate sense of how flavors work together, I have long purchased and enjoyed eating Hostess Cupcakes. Although by many people's standards, they fall into the category of 'junk food', Hostess Cupcakes are well- textured, attractive and delicious examples of top- quality baked goods. Much the same as purchasing and eating meals at any of the nationwide fast food restaurants, you know what to expect, when you buy them. Hostess Cupcakes may not be gourmet food, but they sure taste better than just about any other brand of packaged cupcakes on the market. Until now.

In the Summer of 2006, I started noticing packages of Aunt Hannah brand cupcakes on the shelves of convenience stores and small food markets in the Hartford, Ct area. Being a cupcake afficianado, I had to take notice of this previously- unheard of brand of cupcakes. Both chocolate and vanilla varieties of the Aunt Hannah brand cupcakes are similar in size and appearance to Hostess Cupcakes and are packaged in similar plastic twin- packs. What really sets the Aunt Hannah brand cupcakes apart from the competition, right away, however, is the suggested retail price. While the twin- pack of Hostess Holiday Cupcakes retails for $1.19, the listed retail price for the Aunt Hannah brand cupcakes is fifty nine cents. Both brands of cupcakes are the same size, they look almost identical and even the packaging is almost exactly the same.