Twinkie whole and split

The Twinkie is an American snack cake made and distributed by Hostess Brands. They are marketed as a "Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling".

History[link]

Twinkies were invented in Schiller Park, Illinois in 1930 by James Alexander Dewar, a baker for the Continental Baking Company.^[1] Realizing that several machines used to make cream-filled strawberry shortcake sat idle when strawberries were out of season, Dewar conceived a snack cake filled with banana cream, which he dubbed the Twinkie.^[2] He said he came up with the name when he saw a billboard in St. Louis for "Twinkle Toe Shoes".^[3] During World War II, bananas were rationed and the company was forced to switch to vanilla cream. This change proved popular, and banana-cream Twinkies were not widely re-introduced. The original flavor was occasionally found in limited-time promotions, but the company used vanilla cream for most Twinkies.^[4] In 1988, Fruit and Cream Twinkies were introduced with a strawberry filling swirled into the cream. However, the product was soon dropped.^[5] Vanilla's dominance over banana flavoring would be challenged in 2005, following a month-long promotion of the movie King Kong. Hostess saw its Twinkie sales rise 20 percent during the promotion, and in 2007 permanently restored the banana-cream Twinkie to its snack lineup.^[6]

In January 2012, Twinkie manufacturer Hostess filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.^[3] Twinkie sales for the year ended December 25, 2011 were 36 million packages, down almost 2% from a year earlier.^[3] Hostess said customers have migrated to healthier foods.^[3] Hostess hopes to avoid liquidation and attract new investors to remain in business.^[3]

Ingredients[link]

Enriched wheat flour, sugar, corn syrup, niacin, water, high fructose corn syrup, vegetable and/or animal shortening – containing one or more of partially hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed and canola oil, and beef fat, dextrose, whole eggs, modified corn starch, cellulose gum, whey, leavenings (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), salt, cornstarch, corn flour, corn syrup, solids, mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin, polysorbate 60, dextrin, calcium caseinate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, wheat gluten, calcium sulphate, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, yellow #5, red #40.^[7]

Health aspects[link]

This section requires expansion.

A single Twinkie contains 2.5 grams of saturated fat, representing 13% of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat based on a 2,000 calorie diet.^[8]

Deep-fried Twinkie[link]

A deep-fried Twinkie involves freezing the cake, dipping it into batter, and deep-frying it to create a variation on the traditional snack cake. It was described by a The New York Times story in this way: "Something magical occurs when the pastry hits the hot oil. The creamy white vegetable shortening filling liquefies, impregnating the sponge cake with its luscious vanilla flavor... The cake itself softens and warms, nearly melting, contrasting with the crisp, deep-fried crust in a buttery and suave way. The pièce de résistance, however, is a ruby-hued berry sauce, adding a tart sophistication to all that airy sugary goodness".^[9] The Texas State Fair had introduced the fried Twinkie to great popular acclaim, and the notion spread to other state fairs across the U.S., as well as some establishments that specialize in fried foods.^[10] Fried Twinkies are sold throughout the U.S. in fairs as well as ball games.

Cultural references[link]

Twinkie defense[link]

The Twinkie defense is a derogatory term for a criminal defendant's claim that some unusual factor (such as allergies, coffee, nicotine, or sugar) diminished the defendant's responsibility for the alleged crime. The term arose from Herb Caen's description of the trial of Dan White, who was convicted in the fatal shootings of San Francisco mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk. During the trial, psychiatrist Martin Blinder testified that White had suffered from depression, causing diminished capacity. As an example of this, he mentioned that White, formerly a health food advocate, had begun eating junk food. Twinkies, specifically, were never actually mentioned in the case.

Experimentation[link]

A website entitled the T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. Project^[11] was launched in 2000 by Christopher Scott Gouge and Todd William Stadler.^[12] This site chronicles a series of regimented scientific experiments testing, amongst others, the insulative, electrically resistive, radioactive, and gravitational properties of the "Standard Twinkie".

Shelf life[link]

A common urban legend claims that Twinkies have an infinite shelf life or can last unspoiled for a relatively long time of ten, fifty, or one hundred years due to chemicals used in production.^[13] This urban legend is false, although Twinkies can last a relatively long time (25 days or more) because they are made without unstabilized dairy products and thus spoil more slowly than most bakery items.^[14] In reality Twinkies are on the shelf for a short time, a company executive told the New York Times in 2000 that the "Twinkie is on the shelf no more than 7 to 10 days."^[15]

Twinkie diet[link]

In 2010 a college professor named Mark Haub went on a "convenience store" diet consisting mainly of Twinkies, Oreos, and Doritos in an attempt to demonstrate to his students "that in weight loss, pure calorie counting is what matters most—not the nutritional value of the food". He lost 27 pounds over a 2 month period, returning his body mass index (BMI) to within normal range.^[16]

See also[link]

• Chocodile
• Deep-fried Mars Bar
• Ding Dong
• Dorito
• Ho Hos
• Hostess
• May West
• Twinkie the Kid
• Twink (gay slang)
• Zingers
• Zombieland

Literature[link]

• Ettlinger, Steve (2008). Twinkie, Deconstructed. Plume. ISBN 978-0-452-28928-4.  – Twinkie Deconstructed site

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Official site
• The T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. Project
• Twinkies at 75: munch 'em, fry 'em, save 'em for years, The Christian Science Monitor

v t e Snack cakes Chocodile Choco Pie Ding Dong Fudge Rounds Gansito Ho Hos Hostess CupCake Jaffa Cakes May West Moon pie Sno Balls Suzy Q Twinkie Yodels Zingers

Todd Wilbur is an American author of the Top Secret Recipes series of cook books.^[1] For more than 20 years, Wilbur has been obsessed with reverse-engineering famous foods. The books showcase knock-offs of America's favorite brand named foods, like McDonald's Big Mac. Wilbur has sold over 5 million books.^[2] Wilbur has appeared on Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Today Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

On October 7, 2011, CMT premiered the new series Top Secret Recipe, where Wilbur must recreate the secret recipe of an iconic American brand in three days. Each week, Wilbur will take on a new challenge.^[3]

Books[link]

• Top Secret Recipes
• More Top Secret Recipes
• Top Secret Restaurant Recipes
• Top Secret Recipes Lite!
• Low-Fat Top Secret Recipes
• Top Secret Recipes - Sodas, Smoothies, Spirits, & Shakes
• Even More Top Secret Recipes
• The Best Of Top Secret Recipes (created exclusively for QVC)
• Top Secret Recipes Unlocked
• Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2
• Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3

References[link]

External links[link]

• Top Secret Recipes web site
• Top Secret Recipe/CMT Press web site
• Top Secret Recipe/New York Times review

This article about a United States writer of non-fiction is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell is a two-time Grammy Award–winning American gospel singer, composer, musician, and evangelist. She is a member of The Clark Sisters, an influential gospel vocal ensemble active since the late '60s.

Biography[link]

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The Clark Sisters[link]

A musical genius. Dubbed as the "Queen of the Hammond B3" organ, "The Mother Of Contemporary Gospel." Gifted musician, songwriter, arranger, producer and gifted vocalist, . Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark-Terrell, is the heart and soul of the Clark Sisters. She has been the creative force in shaping the vibrant sound that has become the Clark Sisters' hallmark (more affectionately known as the ‘Clark Sound’) since their mother Mattie Moss Clark turned over control of the group to her in the early 1970s. It was Twinkie's leadership via musical innovation, songwriting and vocal arrangements that gave the Clark Sisters their unique sound. In the history of Gospel music, she has quickly become a legend in her own right. With the reverence of a vast array of audiences, critics and peers, she is considered by many Gospel aficionados to not only be Gospel music’s greatest, but also the undisputed “Queen of the B3 Hammond organ. Twinkie has written and/or arranged over 200 songs that have been recorded by the likes of Donald Lawrence & The Tri City Singers, James Cleveland, Dave Hollister, Jennifer Holiday, Kelly Price, Rev. Donald Vails and others. Richard Smallwood, Jennifer Holiday, Kim Burrell, Shirley Murdoch, Donald Lawrence, R&B singer Coko and Fred Hammond count Twinkie was influences/inspirations. An accomplished pianist and organist, Twinkie received her formal musical training at the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C. and went on to create some of the most memorable hits for herself and her siblings. According to sister Jacky Clark-Chisholm, their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, began training Twinkie on the piano as an infant and by the age of four, she could play full songs. Around the age of 9, Twinkie began showing interest in the organ and began training. At 12, she made her professional debut as organist on the Southwest Michigan State Choir's album A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE. Twinkie would serve as Dr. Clark's personal organist until Dr. Clark's death in 1994. In the early 1970's, while still a teen, Twinkie began to compose songs. Some of her early compositions and arrangements were featured on her mother's choir and workshop albums and were a contemporary contrast to her mother's more traditional style. "That Shall He Also Reap", "The King Of Glory Shall Come In" & "If My People"(all recorded by Mattie Moss Clark & the Southwest Michigan State Choir in the early to mid 1970's) are just a handful of early Twinkie Clark songs that demonstrated her burgeoning and unique style. Her mother's workshops and convention programs and albums also became the vehicle through which Twinkie began gaining a reputation as an organist. Her blend of classical, jazz, blues, traditional and modern chords and riffs all atop a hard and punctuating bass line were a perfect compliment and vehicle for the development and popularization of the "COGIC sound". Twinkie's organ can be heard perfecting this sound on such albums as the COGIC International Choir's BECAUSE HE LIVES(1978), COGIC International Choir's I CAN DO ALL THINGS(1979), Mattie Moss Clark and The Michigan State Community Choir's I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST(1978), Mattie Moss Clark Presents: SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN STATE CHOIR SINGS AGAIN, UNAC 1977 Vol. 5(1977), among others.

Throughout the 1970s and 80's, Twinkie co-wrote and produced 2 solo projects for her mother: I AM NOT ALONE(1979) & MAKE ME THAT BUILDING NOT MADE BY HAND(1980). In 1979, she contributed to Rev. Charles Nicks most successful album, HE'S SO REAL. Twinkie and Rev. Nicks duetted on the title track, which would be his biggest hit. Largely an instrumental affair, Twinkie was featured prominently on the piano on the HE'S SO REAL album as showcased on the songs "Medley: Everything Must Change, Since Jesus Came Into My Heart, I'll Never Be The Same Again" and "Without A Song." That same year, Sound of Gospel records approached Twinkie about recording a solo album. Her first solo record, titled PRAISE BELONGS TO GOD, is a contemporary piece that patches together traditional Gospel sounds along with the influences of contemporary jazz, disco and ragtime which also featured the first national exposure of a then unknown Ronald and Marvin Winans. Her soul stirring take on the hymn "Fountain Filled With Blood" was a staple on Gospel airwaves in the late 1970s. As the 70's turned into the 80's, Twinkie gained increasing notoriety through the popularity of The Clark Sisters albums HE GAVE ME NOTHING TO LOSE(1979), IS MY LIVING IN VAIN(1980), YOU BROUGHT THE SUNSHINE(1981) & SINCERELY(1982). Those albums featured the Twinkie penned classics; "Nothing To Lose", "Is My Living In Vain", "Pure Gold", "Expect A Miracle", "Name It Claim It", "Endow Me", "Walking In The Spirit" and the Clark Sisters crossover smash "You Brought The Sunshine." In the summer of 1981, "Is My Living In Vain" stayed atop the Billboard Gospel Songs chart for 13 weeks while the accompanying album would hit #1 and remain there for over a year. The summer of 1983 brought mega-success as "You Brought The Sunshine" became a national phenomenon and netted Twinkie and the Clark Sisters a Gold album. In the midst of this success, Twinkie wrote and recorded another solo lp titled YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER. A tour de force, POWER's brilliance and musical breadth would indelibly stamp her as one of the most innovative forces ever in contemporary Gospel. That point would be underscored in the mid 1980's when Twinkie came up with the idea to merge rap and Gospel in the song COMPUTERS RULE THE WORLD featuring rapper Melle Mel. When presented to the record label, they rejected that notion, thinking that audiences were not ready for hip hop incorporated into Gospel. The label eventually relented and few years later, the song turned up on the 1988 Clark Sisters album CONQUEROR. Twinkie wrote and produced 3 more albums for the Clark Sisters: 1986's HEART AND SOUL, 1988's CONQUEROR and 1989's BRINGING IT BACK HOME-live. "Jesus Is A Love Song", "Pray For The USA", "Balm In Gilead", Jesus Forevermore", "My Redeemer Liveth" and "For The Love Of The People" heated up Gospel airwaves from those albums. Twinkie amassed other hits in the 80's("I Tried Him And I Know Him", "The Anointing Breaks The Yoke", "Lord Let Me Hear From Heaven") from her continued songwriting on her mother's convention records.

Twinkie left the Clark Sisters in 1989 to focus on ministry and family.^[2] She continued her solo career with 1992's COMIN HOME, 1996's MASTERPIECE, 2002's TWINKIE CLARK AND FRIENDS LIVE IN CHARLOTTE, 2004's HOME ONCE AGAIN and 2011's WITH HUMILITY. In 1997, Twinkie was featured on the COGIC International Choir's LEANING ON JESUS album on the hit duet with Richard "Mr Clean" White's "Accept What God Allows" and in 1996, she produced the album TWINKIE CLARK TERRELL PRESENTS THE FAMU GOSPEL CHOIR which was a staple on the Gospel charts well into 1997.

Twinkie and the Clark Sisters were inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Most recently, The Clark Sisters received high honors at the 2007 Stellar Awards when they were presented with the coveted award for Most Notable Achievement.^[3] Twinkie reunited with The Clark Sisters on July 8, 2006 to record a new live album, The Clark Sisters did a live recording in Houston, Texas entitled Live... One Last Time. The recording was released as a CD on April 10, 2007^[4] on EMI Gospel, followed by a CD/DVD Special Edition release June 19, 2007. In support of the reunion album, The Clark Sisters embarked on a 25-city Concert Tour .^[5] On January 16, 2009 Twinkie Clark was honored at the 10th Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon Friday, January 16 in Nashville, TN

Solo career[link]

Since leaving The Clark Sisters she has recorded several solo albums intermittently including Comin' Home, Masterpiece ( Produced by top gospel/jazz artist and musician, Ben Tankard. In 2002, she recorded her first live solo album Live in Charlotte.^[6] Twinkie's son John Terrell raps on the album. Its success warranted another live effort, the Asaph Ward-produced Home Once Again: Live in Detroit, two years later. She also released a collaboration project with the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir called Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir which also was a mainstay in the Billboard Gospel top 10 in late 1996.

Musical influence[link]

Clark's influences include jazz, reggae, classical, funk and blues. This is evidenced by listening to her first two solo albums Praise Belongs To God and Ye Shall Receive Power recorded for Sound of Gospel Records while still with The Clark Sisters. Both of these recordings were recently released on compact disc.

Twinkie Clark is an avid Stevie Wonder fan, and hopes to one day do a duet with him.^[1]

Discography[link]

• Praise Belongs To God (Sound of Gospel, 1979)
• Ye Shall Receive Power (Sound of Gospel, 1981)
• Comin' Home (Tyscot, 1992) (#40 US Gospel)
• Masterpiece (Tribute/Verity, 1996) (#19 US Gospel)
• Twinkie Clark-Terrell presents FAMU Gospel Choir (Crystal Rose, 1996) (#10 US Gospel)
• Twinkie Clark and Friends: Live In Charlotte N.C. (Verity, 2002) (#10 US Gospel)
• Home Once Again: Live In Detroit (Verity, 2004) (#66 US R&B/Hip-Hop) (#9 US Gospel)
• Praise & Worship (Verity/Legacy, 2006) (Compilation)
• With Humility (Larry Clark Gospel, 2011) (#14 US Gospel)

Notable singles[link]

• "Power"(Ye Shall Receive Power) 1979
• "You Brought The Sunshine" (The Clark Sisters) (1981)
• "Balm In Gilead" (Karen Clark Sheard) (1997)
• "I Tried Him And I Know Him" (Mattie Moss Clark) (1986)
• "Something New" (The Clark Sisters) (2007)
• "Is My Living in Vain"(The Clark Sisters) (1980)
• "Awesome"(Masterpiece)" (1996)
• "Bless You Real Good" (Masterpiece)" (1996)
• " Worship the King" (Twinkie and Friends:Live in Charlotte) (2001)
• " Everything You Need is Right Here" (Home Once Again:Live In Detroit) (2004)
• " God's Got A Blessing" With Humility (2011)
• " Awesome God" With Humility (2011)
• " I Can Do All Things Through Christ"(The Clark Sisters) (1976)

The Clark Sisters: Live one last time

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Clark Sisters Website
• Watch Out Twink Fan Club
• Twinkie Clark & The Clark Sisters Youtube Video Channel
• Twinkie Clark at Allmusic
• Verity Records website
• http://www.organmusicworkshop.com