Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Brian Kay
Photo and art design by Brian Kachejian
There is a massive difference between the coffee cakes you find in a bakery and the ones you pick up in a supermarket wrapped in plastic. It starts with the size, and it ends with the quality. A fresh bakery crumb cake is thick, rich, loaded with crumbs, and built to impress. The supermarket versions are smaller, lighter, and built for convenience. There is really no fair comparison between the two.
That is not what this test is about.
This is about comparing supermarket coffee cakes, the boxed, wrapped versions most people actually buy on a regular basis. These are the ones sitting on shelves at ShopRite, Walmart, and even dollar stores. And once you start looking at them side by side, the differences become very interesting.
Of course, the main event here is always going to be Hostess versus Drake’s. That battle has been going on for decades. But there are other players that always find their way into the conversation. Entenmann’s has a reputation for stepping in and taking over these kinds of contests. Tastykake is always in the mix, even if it does not always deliver. And then there was the wildcard: Cake King, a dollar store find that could either surprise or completely fall apart.
So I put all five on the table and let the taste decide.
Hostess Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
The first thing that stands out is the size. It is smaller than expected, especially given the size of the box it comes in. There is not a heavy crumb topping at first glance, but once you get into it, the flavor comes through.
The cinnamon hits right away, strong and noticeable, and there is enough crumb texture inside to make it work. It is not overloaded with toppings, but what is there delivers. A well-balanced coffee cake that ends up being better than it looks.
Final score, 8 out of 10.
Drake’s Coffee Cakes
This is the one that feels familiar right away. For a lot of people, this is the coffee cake they have eaten the most over the years. It comes in slightly larger than the Hostess version and looks more like what you expect from a crumb cake, especially with the heavier topping.
There are more crumbs on top, but the flavor does not match the appearance. It is still a good coffee cake, but it does not have the same punch as the Hostess version. The extra topping does not translate into a better overall experience.
Final score, 7 out of 10.
Entenmann’s Mini Crumb Cakes
This is where the entire competition changes.
Right out of the box, the difference is obvious. The size is bigger, the crumb topping is heavier, and the cake itself looks closer to something you would expect from a bakery. From the first bite, it delivers on every level.
The crumbs taste fresh, the cake is soft and rich, and everything comes together in a way the others simply do not. For a packaged product, this is about as close as it gets to that bakery style experience. It stands in a completely different class.
Final score, 10 out of 10.
Tastykake Coffee Cake Cupcakes
This one takes a different approach, more cupcake than traditional crumb cake. The size is smaller, the weight is lighter, and it does not feel like it is trying to compete directly with the others.
The flavor is average at best. It is not bad, but it does not stand out in any way. When placed next to the stronger entries in this test, it fades quickly.
Final score, 5 out of 10.
Cake King Cinnamon Crumb Cake Bites
This was the unknown going in, a dollar store find that could have gone either way.
From the moment you pick it up, the warning signs are there. It feels extremely light, almost too light, and the size is noticeably small. The smell does not help either.
The taste confirms everything. The texture is off, the flavor is unpleasant, and it is easily the weakest product in the entire test. This is one that simply does not belong in the same conversation as the others.
Final score, negative 10 out of 10.
Final Results
- Entenmann’s Mini Crumb Cakes, 10 out of 10
- Hostess Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, 8 out of 10
- Drake’s Coffee Cakes, 7 out of 10
- Tastykake Coffee Cake Cupcakes, 5 out of 10
- Cake King Cinnamon Crumb Cake Bites, negative 10 out of 10
Closing Verdict
This one was not close.
Entenmann’s once again proves why it has the reputation it does. It delivers a product that feels closer to a bakery cake than anything else in this category. Hostess and Drake’s both put up solid performances, with Hostess edging ahead, while TastyKake and Cake King fall well behind.
In the end, this comes down to a simple truth, you get what you pay for. Entenmann’s may cost more, but it clearly delivers more.
Watch The Full Taste Test
To see the full breakdown, including the size comparisons, first bite reactions, and how each one stacked up in real time, check out the video below.
Read More: Drake’s Ring Dings vs Hostess Ding Dongs: Which Is Better?
