Feature Photo and design by Brian Kachejian
Mrs. Freshley’s snack cakes have become a low-cost alternative in the packaged dessert aisle, but not all of them deliver the same flavor, texture, and freshness. Mrs. Freshley’s taste test ranks several of their most popular items to determine which ones are actually worth buying.
Mrs. Freshley’s is a brand that has built its reputation on affordability. These are budget snack cakes you often find in dollar stores for about $1.25 per box, and they are also commonly sold individually wrapped in convenience stores like Handy Pantry. While they are not as widely known in New York as brands like Hostess or Little Debbie, they are easy to find if you are looking for a cheaper option. Like most packaged snack cakes, they are designed with long shelf lives in mind, making them convenient for quick snacks, lunch bags, or something sweet on the go.
That is really what this test is about. These are low budget snack cakes, and the question is simple, do they actually taste good enough to buy again. I picked up several of their most recognizable items and put them side by side to see which ones hold up and which ones fall apart.
Swiss Rolls
The Swiss Rolls were the clear standout from the start. The cake was fresh, the texture was soft, and the flavor delivered exactly what you expect from a chocolate rolled snack cake. The cream filling worked well with the cake, and the overall balance made this one easy to enjoy. It even holds its own against more expensive brands in this category.
Final score, 9 out of 10.
Buddy Bars
The Buddy Bars did not come close to the same level. While they look similar to other peanut butter wafer snacks, the flavor was lacking. The peanut butter taste was weak, and the chocolate coating did not bring much to the table either. Compared to the Swiss Rolls, this was a major drop off.
Final score, 2 out of 10.
Honey Buns
The Honey Buns struggled as well. The texture leaned toward dry and chewy rather than soft and fresh, and the overall flavor lacked the sweetness or balance you expect from a honey bun. It was slightly better than the Buddy Bars, but still not something that stands out in this category.
Final score, 2.5 out of 10.
Pecan Twirls
The Pecan Twirls came in at the bottom of the list. The flavor and texture simply did not work, and it was clear right away that this one was not going to compete with the others. Even for a budget snack cake, this one falls well short.
Final score, 1 out of 10.
Final Ranking
- Swiss Rolls, 9 out of 10
- Honey Buns, 2.5 out of 10
- Buddy Bars, 2 out of 10
- Pecan Twirls, 1 out of 10
Closing Verdict
This taste test makes one thing very clear. Price alone does not determine whether a snack cake is worth buying. While Mrs. Freshley’s offers an affordable option, most of these products do not deliver the flavor or texture needed to compete with the better-known brands. The Swiss Rolls are the one exception, standing out as genuinely good products worth picking up. The rest fall into the category of something you can pass on.
Watch The Full Taste Test
To see the full breakdown, including first bite reactions and how each snack performed in real time, check out the video below.
