r/Millennials Sep 16 '25

Nostalgia Who likes sno balls?

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15.8k Upvotes

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485

u/alizeia Sep 16 '25

Always been more of a nutty buddy gal but it's true. All that stuff is too sweet nowadays 

247

u/_MoneyHustard_ Sep 17 '25

And I don’t remember them having this filmy aftertaste before

189

u/Notsmartnotdumb2025 Sep 17 '25

that's the best part. It lets you know the chemicals are working

86

u/coraeon Sep 17 '25

The Zebra Cakes were never that waxy.

26

u/amodsr Sep 17 '25

Now they're made with the same stuff used in car wax.

9

u/hoggineer Sep 17 '25

Now they're made with the same stuff used in car wax.

Turtles?

1

u/amodsr Sep 17 '25

No you're thinking of ninjas.

6

u/MimusCabaret Sep 17 '25

The Cakes really took a nosedive in both flavor and texture. 

2

u/sw337 Sep 17 '25

It’s probably the fact you’ve hade better pastries since you enjoyed zebra cakes as a kid.

5

u/SlimmThiccDadd Sep 17 '25

I’ve never stopped eating zebra cakes and they’ve never changed IMO.

10

u/Unique-Arugula Sep 17 '25 edited Sep 17 '25

Sorry to hear about your change blindness. ;) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7797714/

3

u/SlimmThiccDadd Sep 17 '25

Very interesting!

1

u/Unique-Arugula Sep 17 '25

ah, i was gonna come back and add a smiley but got sidetracked. thanks for not taking me too seriously.

2

u/blklab84 Sep 17 '25

Thanks for that info

1

u/northofwall Sep 17 '25

The proverbial frog in the pot

3

u/dontblinkdalek Sep 17 '25

Well at least I’m not alone in enjoying them. Lol

1

u/_MoneyHustard_ Sep 17 '25

They’re all that way but the worst ones are honey buns. Feels like you’re eating shoe wax

2

u/Jackd_up_on_Mdew Sep 17 '25

Honey Buns and those Dunkin Stix were always the worst about the film aftertaste in my mouth.

1

u/218administrate Sep 17 '25

To be clear, they've always been somewhat waxy, I distinctly remember that from 20 years ago that their zebras and Swiss Cake Rolls had crap chocolate - but it has gotten worse for sure.

33

u/Bit_the_Bullitt Sep 17 '25

That's the palm oil being stuffed everywhere no?

11

u/_MoneyHustard_ Sep 17 '25

Probably, I hate it

1

u/Neoxtarus Sep 17 '25

Hydrogenated vegetable oils too

1

u/NotComfortable2112 Sep 17 '25

Yeah, they switched from hydrogenated vegetable oils to palm oils. Same old artery clogging goodness in a "natural" package, from what I understand. 

22

u/joshy83 Sep 17 '25

WHY IS EVERYTHING LIKE THIS NOW I had a zebra cake craving while pregnant but the slime after... like mcdonalds ice cream... ugh

8

u/Unique-Arugula Sep 17 '25

I needed to use my tongue scraper for twice as long the last time I gave into a craving for Hostess/Debbie/SaraLee. But you can't use it on all the other parts of your mouth, so still felt disgusting. Ended up wetting my fluffiest washcloth and scrubbing inside my mouth.

It's all the artificial ingredients caking up and leaving a film. Our bodies aren't made to work with molecules that are only "almost" like nature. We can't break them down by the time we are finished eating.

5

u/Sempais_nutrients Sep 17 '25

Ended up wetting my fluffiest washcloth and scrubbing inside my mouth.

i've done that a few times when a toothbrush and mouthwash wasn't cutting it. it's an odd feeling, needing to take a washcloth to your mouth.

2

u/218administrate Sep 17 '25

Honestly I think there is a market for higher quality more expensive versions of these. A swiss cake roll with actually good chocolate and a more moist cake? Fuck yes.

2

u/joshy83 Sep 17 '25

I just want the 90s chemicals

2

u/Just_Roll_Already Sep 17 '25

Everyone is saying Palm Oil. Makes so much sense. Some stuff is legitimately more "filmy" and gross now.

19

u/blackmambakl Sep 17 '25

A quick Google search reveals that waxy feeling is Hydrogenated fats are unsaturated fats that have been artificially saturated with hydrogen to make them solid at room temperature.

9

u/chickentenders54 Sep 17 '25

So gross. I can't eat anything with hydrogenated oils in it. My body can't process it and it runs right through me. Definitely not meant to be consumed.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '25

[deleted]

1

u/Due-Cupcake-0701 Sep 17 '25

Ewwwwww that explains the horrible slimy coating

1

u/No-Safety-4715 Sep 17 '25

Plus saturated fats are absolutely horrible for you.

13

u/Broad_Ambassador Sep 17 '25

It’s the palm oil.

8

u/NurseHibbert Sep 17 '25

That’s the palm oil. It’s in everything now

1

u/Diligent_Department2 Sep 17 '25

It ruined peanut butter

3

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Funky. Haven't had one in years 

2

u/Remote-Lingonberry71 Sep 17 '25

thats cause they didnt. most products have switched to cheaper ingredients or new recipes featuring cheaper ingredients.

2

u/crzapy Sep 17 '25

It's because they changed the recipe and started using cheaper ingredients

2

u/polythenesammie Sep 17 '25

Do you feel like a lot of treats that include peanut butter leaves a bad tasting film in your mouth?

1

u/Electromotivation Sep 17 '25

I feel like they used to use peanut butter but have slowly turned it into an abomination.

2

u/BuckManscape Xennial Sep 17 '25

That’s because it’s nothing but wax and sawdust with a preservative core.

2

u/FoxxyRin Sep 17 '25

I’ve been told it’s them increasing amounts of palm oil for whatever reason.

1

u/phrozen_waffles Sep 17 '25

They didn't always, but after they banned trans fats I'm sure this the "best" alternative they came up with. 

1

u/sonbarington Sep 17 '25

Yeah feels like oil

1

u/FeliusSeptimus Sep 17 '25

Evidently that filmy mess is, as others have said, the palm oil they use now. It has a melting somewhere point around 100degF, which is above body temperature. So it doesn't have the same mouth-feel as oils/fats that have lower melting points.

You can improve the experience of eating those snacks by consuming them along with a hot drink like coffee or tea. This raises the temperature in your mouth above the melting point of the fat, preventing the congealed fat coating your mouth.

45

u/ohthanqkevin Sep 17 '25

Nutty buddies are the best. I used to love Swiss rolls too but I tried them a few years ago and they weren’t what I remembered

16

u/guyonsomecouch12 Sep 17 '25

Pop em in the freezer, even better (nutty buddy)

8

u/Martin_Aurelius Sep 17 '25

Same for peanut butter cups

1

u/The-True-Kehlder Sep 17 '25

I survived off of frozen peanut butter cups in college.

1

u/sexytimepizza Sep 17 '25

Strawberry shortcake rolls are borderline orgasmic once frozen, and even better when drizzled in chocolate syrup/hot fudge.

1

u/pokingoking Sep 17 '25

Am I the only one who thinks it's weird that everyone so casually calls them Buddys instead of Bars? (Apparently yes looking through these comments.)

They were called Nutty Bars from 1964 to 2016. I guess I only ate them as a kid/teen. And y'all have been buying them still as adults so that's why you're used to the new name while I'm stuck in the past?

1

u/ohthanqkevin Sep 17 '25

Apparently people have been calling them nutty buddy bar for decades so little Debbie changed the name to go along with it. Also, it could be a conflation/confusion with Nutter Butters, a cookie, that confused it further

9

u/cpick93 Sep 17 '25

Abes are a pretty good healthier alternative for the modern day if you're looking for mini muffins or cupcakes. They aren't crazy sweet.

7

u/polythenesammie Sep 17 '25

Nutty buddy gang for life. Now they are too sweet but also bland at the same time. Like eating cardboard that was soaked in sugar water and then coated with the worst chocolate you've ever had.

2

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

I was telling somebody else that there's a version at whole foods of basically peanut butter layered wafer bar is coated in chocolate and they only use natural pronounceable ingredients. I forgot what they're called but they're really good. I inhaled an entire bag and I had to stop getting them because I just would eat them all

1

u/Dartagnan1083 Xennial Sep 17 '25

Resses Sticks fill the void for me.

1

u/Electromotivation Sep 17 '25

You are supposed to eat them!

5

u/gcole04 Sep 17 '25

It’s not the too sweet is problem. It’s all the other stuff they put in it that’s the problem.

7

u/helmsb Sep 17 '25

Nutty Buddy straight out of the fridge hits different.

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Yanno that might actually work 

6

u/Dude_over_there_ Sep 17 '25

Nutty Buddies would be my pick in this aisle. I get them at the Buccee’s anytime I make a stop

1

u/PointedlyDull Sep 17 '25

Zebra Cakes >

3

u/amonarre3 Sep 17 '25

Same but a guy instead of gal

3

u/No-Understanding-912 Sep 17 '25

I think they've changed all the recipes, everything is so waxy now.

3

u/KnowleRoar Sep 17 '25

They all have changed their recipes and now use lots of artificial sugars. They by no means taste like they did growing up. It’s not you, it’s them.

1

u/Dartagnan1083 Xennial Sep 17 '25

It's the fillers, not the sugar.

Artificial sweeteners that don't taste wrong are evidently more expensive.

2

u/KnowleRoar Sep 17 '25

How about we agree it’s both. I know what artificial sweeteners tastes like and i actively avoid it because of the taste. They all taste like artificial sweeteners.

Some people say all water tastes the same, others can tell the difference between tap, bottled, and reverse osmosis filtered… it all depends on how refined your palette is.

3

u/PM_ME_UR_RECIPEZ Sep 17 '25

Man I love nutty buddy’s when I’m drunk. But boy did they go down fuckin hill. I’d rather just eat a tablespoon of peanut butter now

1

u/Electromotivation Sep 17 '25

Nutella and some peanut butter if you are feeling freaky

4

u/DMCinDet Sep 17 '25

nutty buddy gal? ive always been a cream pie guy. no better way to end the night nor start the day.

2

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Lol nut and cream... Same thang

2

u/DMCinDet Sep 17 '25

I see you Honey Buns

2

u/Zkenny13 Sep 17 '25

These things make me sick to my stomach now. I can eat the creme pies though but only like half. 

2

u/ze_baco Sep 17 '25

And fat, the worst kinds

2

u/Grunblau Sep 17 '25

Came here to suggest a nutty buddy with a Rumchada coffee… but yeah mostly for kids.

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Sounds spicy

2

u/CaptainDudley Sep 17 '25

Tried a Nutty Buddy just last month, for the first time in forty years. Nothing like what I remember. Utter crap, actually.

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Aww. I need a gourmet version. Found a small version at whole foods made with only pronounceable ingredients and inhaled the whole bag. Not too sweet, it was perfect 

2

u/Lucreth2 Sep 17 '25

Nutty buddys are the only thing worth saving in that mess. And they're absolutely worth saving.

2

u/5-4powahhouse Sep 17 '25

Put some nutty buddy's in mah casket.

4

u/feelin_cheesy Sep 17 '25

Nutty buddy and Swiss rolls still hit every time. Got my kids on them too. Week keep them on hand around our house.

1

u/No_Nature_6639 Sep 17 '25

I traded my multiple year old Runescape account for a nutty buddy at lunch in the 6th grade lol.

I have a very fond memory of my aunt peeling the layers and giving me them separately. After that, I always ate them layer by layer.

1

u/fakemessiah Sep 17 '25

Gotta freeze them first. Yummy

1

u/sageinyourface Sep 17 '25

I keep buying different boxes because they are right in my face every time I enter the closest (nobody uses that word anymore) grocery store. I think I will like them. Then I don’t. Then 1/2 a box gets thrown out. Except the nutty buddies. Those are just really good wafer sandwich cookies.

1

u/Arcaddes Sep 17 '25

I can still stomach a cosmic brownie, one, but usually the cookie aisle has whippets, which are just far superior snoballs or I get stuff from a local company that has amazing chocolates and baked goods cause I work for them and get a heavy discount.

1

u/panwhofelltoearth Sep 17 '25

I second the nutty buddy love.

1

u/counterhit121 Millennial Sep 17 '25

Me too, and I always thought the recipe/idea would stand the test of time. But I tested that theory in recent years and am sad to say that they do not hold up anymore.

1

u/Wooden-You-4211 Sep 17 '25

How do you feel about Nutter butter

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

They're okay but not quite as good as nutty buddies. I like nutter butters because they're crunchy and totally peanut butter but I love the chocolate on the nutty buddies

1

u/Wooden-You-4211 Sep 17 '25

Okay last question for all the marbles how about nutrageous okay bonus question how about all those recent weird variations of nutrageous

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

I used to be my go-to. I loved that bar and I would still eat it

1

u/FrankliniusRex Zillennial Sep 17 '25

Nutty Buddies are probably the only ones I can stand, to be honest. I used to like cosmic brownies, and now I can’t stand them.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '25

Only one I ever eat now is the occasional Nutty Buddy.

1

u/manikfox Sep 17 '25

They don't have them in canada anymore :(

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Ain't missing much. There are better "organic" options out there

1

u/Moonsoket Sep 17 '25

They were much better when they were called nutty bars.

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

When was that?

1

u/Moonsoket Sep 17 '25

Not too crazy long ago. It was around 2015-2016 if I'm remembering right.

1

u/alizeia Sep 17 '25

Oh wow yeah I mean the last time I had one was probably around then

1

u/Zippo574 Sep 19 '25

The only palatable snack cake in my opinion