Moving on from the pink and red Valentine's Day desserts, we find ourselves squarely in the green for Saint Patrick's Day. And since apple season is nowhere near March, and as apples have nothing to do with the Irish, we're left with mint as our flavor du jour...although it is hard to think of a connection between mint and Ireland either. But do you really want potato or whiskey-flavored snacks? I think not!
Enter Hostess with their Shamrock Cupcakes. No, these cupcakes do not taste like a sprig of clover, but the mint-clover connection goes back to 1970 thanks to McDonald's and their Shamrock Shakes.
Yes, this is a chocolate mint cupcake, which makes perfect sense as Hostess already has a chocolate cupcake and didn't have to alter the recipe too much. Some corporate types might call it good "synergy." I just think they're lazy.
The topping and the creamy filling are both a pleasant light green color, although a little bit too reminiscent of mint Milk of Magnesia color for my taste. I would have preferred a bolder, brighter green. Speaking of taste, there probably isn't any way for a company to screw up mint flavoring, and you'll be happy to know that these cupcakes do taste like mint (even though I couldn't find mint extract anywhere in the ingredients list). It's not too strong of a mint taste, as in gum, but a pleasant flavor like chocolate mint ice cream.
Until Hostess invents a Bailey's Irish Cream cupcake, this will have to do for your Saint Patrick's Day celebration...although I seriously doubt they pair well with green beer. Or any beer. Or any drink, really, other than a cold glass of milk. But that's fine with me...
RATING: 4/5
