Hydrox

Hydrox is a brand of sandwich cookies known for its chocolate wafers and cream filling. The cookies were introduced in the early 20th century by the Sunshine Biscuit Company and are often described as the first chocolate sandwich cookie marketed in the United States, appearing several years before the better-known Oreo.

Overview and composition: A classic Hydrox cookie consists of two cocoa-flavored cookies with a sweet white or vanilla cream filling in between. Over the years, the formula and packaging have been updated, but the basic sandwich cookie concept remains the hallmark of Hydrox.

Historical context: Hydrox competed with other chocolate sandwich cookies and gained recognition as an early example of the genre. Despite initial popularity, the product faced competition from Oreo, which ultimately dominated the market. Production of Hydrox declined in the late 20th century, and the cookies were discontinued for a period.

Revival and current status: In the 2010s, the Hydrox brand rights were acquired by Leaf Brands, which relaunched Hydrox cookies and marketed them as the original chocolate sandwich cookie. Since then, Hydrox has been produced and distributed again in the United States and select markets, appealing to nostalgia while aiming to offer a distinct alternative to other cookies in the category.

See also: Oreo, sandwich cookies, Sunshine Biscuits, Leaf Brands.

Note: Specific dates and corporate transitions have varied over time, but Hydrox is generally recognized as an early chocolate sandwich cookie that predated Oreo and later found new life through a revival effort.