Hostess' Grizzly Chomps cupcakes utilize an idea that may appeal only to children: a chocolate cake with the first bite already taken. "I start 'em, you finish 'em" says the animal on the wrapper that looks more like a wolf than a bear. The 97 percent fat-free cakes with super sprinkles retail for 49 for a 2.5-ounce package of two.
Don Russell: "Without a lot of aggressive advertising aimed at children, I don't think Grizzly Chomps will be around very long. Sure, the shape and sprinkles appeal to children, but the cake is rather dry and contains no filling. Even if this product is made with healthy ingredients, it just doesn't seem to have much going for it like most of Hostess' other tried and true products."Nihla Lake: "Grizzly Chomps are a cute little novelty, but thumbs down on the taste. The chocolate icing was pretty mild, but our family thought the cake portion was pretty dry. The price was OK even though it was pre-bitten. We probably won't be buying these again."
Judy Slack Wilson: "You know, psychologically it bothered me to eat something that has a bite already taken out. If I want a cupcake, I want a whole one. The Grizzly Chomps tasted all right. Now if there was just another bite . . . "
Edyth Jensen: "These went over big at our house because of the missing bite and the fancy sprinkles on top. The cake is moist and chocolatey and the price isn't out of sight."
Linda C. Tingey: "My son Scott, 17, said, `They are just as good as Ding-Dongs but without the cream in the middle. It's a good thing since the bites are out.' It's a fun thing for kids with the name and the bite missing."
Rich Firmage: "The Grizzly Chomps were a fun and interesting idea. My kids liked them and I thought they were OK. I missed the cream filling that you get in a regular Hostess cupcake. I don't think they were good enough to buy when one third of each cup cake is missing. I don't believe you really get what you pay for. My wife thinks they would be a fun novelty treat for children's birthday parties and upcoming Halloween parties."
Conclusion: Unless you've got kids, send these cupcakes back to the grizzly! They aren't beary good.
The Deseret News testing panel independently tests products purchased by the Deseret News. Readers with suggestions for products to be tested should contact the Today Section, Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.