It’s hard to believe Ding Dongs are 40 years old. If I wasn’t just about to cook supper I’d be tempted to go get a box right now.

Ding Dongs — named for chiming bells used in vintage Hostess television commercials — are ringing 40 sweet years as one of America’s all time favorite snack cakes. Just one bite of the iconic chocolate cake enrobed with chocolate icing and Hostess’ signature rich creamy filling leaves little doubt as to the source of Ding Dongs’ enduring appeal.

Some Ding Dong facts:

• Ding Dongs were launched on March 18, 1967.
• Over the years, Ding Dongs have had brushes with Hollywood fame, with reports indicating that chocolate lover and singing sensation Kelly Clarkson is a fan of Ding Dongs as well as the lead character in TNT’s award-winning crime drama, The Closer.
• Hostess must have known that you’ll feel like royalty when you bite into a Ding Dong — when Ding Dongs were first introduced, they were actually called King Dongs.
• In the Northeast, Ding Dongs were originally known as Big Wheels.