Twinkies to return to stores mid-July

GREENWICH, Conn., June 24 (UPI) -- Twinkies, a U.S. snack icon yanked from the shelves by a bankruptcy filing last year, are to make their return to stores July 15, the brand's new owner said.

Metropoulos & Co. and Apollo Global Management bought the Hostess snack portfolio for $410 million after the company filed for bankruptcy, saying it would not survive a strike by its bakers.

Twinkies had been on store shelves and in vending machines for more than 80 years when Hostess went under.

The Christian Science Monitor reported Monday the new Twinkies box will include self-proclaimed bragging rights to "The Sweetest Comeback in the History of Ever."

Twinkies, cream-filled spongecake, made its debut in the 1930. The creator, James Dewar, said he ate at least three a day for 50 years.