Yes, and when they first came out they didn't have frosting on them. Another product we pestered mom to buy, and when we first tried them (without the frosting) they tasted like cardboard with jam. But they sure smelled good when they were toasting.

I actually prefer Pop-Tarts without the frosting. My favorites are strawbery, chocolate fudge but I like most of them. I just wish they'd bring back milk chocolate with its graham coated feel and taste.

Yeah, the frosting that they attempt to claim is there might as well not be. It is a thin sham of a coating that is quit a joke as far as I am concerned. The filling used to be much more than it is these days also. I don't buy them anymore because now they just are kind of generic in quality.

True, the original ones weren't frosted, but they started making some frosted ones by the 70s, possibly before. Does anyone remember one where the pop-tart dough was chocolate, the filling was white, I think coconut-flavored, with white frosting?

Kellogg's Pop Tarts go back to 1960. 1971 was when these were first made with frosting. 1973 was when Milton the Toaster (voiced by William Schallert) became the mascot for about a year.

Found an early Frosted Pop Tarts TV commercial, aired during a segment of "In the Know," a five-minute educational filler CBS ran after each Saturday morning cartoon show. Sponsored by Kellogg's, "In the Know" was hosted by the cartoon Josie and the Pussycats during the 1970-71 season. The segment became "In the News" in the fall of 1971. Commercial, using trick photography, showed a miniature older man peddling a tricycle/wagon of Pop Tarts up to a giant-sized boy. Boxes of Frosted ones were shown as new. While "In the Know" was more topic-based, "In the News" focused on current events. Commercial from 1/16/71.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault: A Kellogg's TV commercial block. First, for concord grape Pop Tarts showing a mother toasting them up for her kids. Second, featuring Josie and the Pussycats. Josie (voiced by Janet Waldo) presents two sets of "Groovy Gifts." These being: First, five different erasers, for pencils, of Pussycat characters (Alex, Allan, Josie, Valerie, Melody), with one inside boxes of Sugar Pops (cowboy with whip on box). Second, six different plastic character spoons (same characters, plus Sebastian the cat) inside Sugar Smacks (American Indian chief riding horse on box). These aired on the "Sabrina/Groovie Goolies" cartoon show (10/17/70, CBS). The network's way of letting kids know that the "Josie" cartoon show would be on next.

I wish they would go back to the thicker foil packaging, from the 70's, I'd like to see them to bring back the dutch apple flavor. And I'd like to see a unfrosted cherry , like the strawberry.

That's right. The thicker foil with the string you'd pull across to open each twin pouch of Tarts. The frosted ones sold better, thus discontinuation of several unfrosted flavors.

From the prime time TV vault, more Pop Tarts fun. First commercial with Bill Dozier reading promo script (in usual, campy style) for six different Batman mini-comics inside Pop Tarts (these were reprints of comic stories from DC Comics in late 1940s). This aired on "Batman" over ABC (10/12/66). Corn Flakes (Jimmy Durante), Ban Deodorant and Life Savers Candy also sponsored. Network promo for "F Troop." Second commercial, with game show host Dennis James giving a video tour of the plant in Battle Creek. This aired on "Hogan's Heroes" over CBS (9/17/66). Other sponsors were for Sugar Frosted Flakes, Tide detergent, and Parliament and Marlboro cigarettes by Philip Morris. Network promos for "Ed Sullivan" and "Garry Moore" shows.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, a later TV spot with Milton the Toaster. Leaving on a trip, a little girl asks, "Why don't you come along?" Milton replies, "I'd need an extra long extension cord." This aired on "Partridge Family 2200 A.D." over CBS (9/14/74). Many characters were voiced by the original actors from the 1970-74 series. Exceptions were Shirley (Sherry Alberoni), Keith (Chuck McLeland) and Reuben (John Stephenson, though Dave Madden is credited). Most of the stories in the 16-episode series center around Danny's (Bonaduce) antics.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, this TV spot had Milton the Toaster chatting with a boy about to leave for baseball practice. Cherry and blueberry frosted Pop Tarts shown. This aired on "Josie & the Pussycats in Outer Space" over CBS (9/23/72). The show was a sequel to the 1970 cartoon, with all the voice actors returning to do their Archie Comic-based characters, including Janet Waldo (Josie), Sherry Alberoni (cynical Alexandra), Casey Kasem (Alex) and as (so-called "dumb blonde") Melody, Jackie Joseph. Recently saw Jackie Joseph's 1960 movie, "Little Shop of Horrors," over the net. Among her TV credits, "Doris Day Show" as well as "F Troop" and "Andy Griffith Show." Now 84 years young.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, Milton the Toaster tries to encourage a girl who hates taking piano lessons. The girl says, "OK," then hits a sour note, making Milton cringe. "Practice, Kid," he says. This aired on "U.S. of Archie" over CBS (10/12/74). This patriotic, pre-Bicentennial cartoon time-warps the Archie gang to focus on different events in American history. These include joining Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders in Central America, and observing the Wright Brothers' first flight. 15 episodes made the series by Filmation.

From the prime time TV vault, another in the series of Pop Tarts commercials featuring Dennis James, a game show host. Inside the Battle Creek facility, he demonstrates how Pop Tarts are vacuum packed (wrapped and sealed) for freshness. This aired on "Monkees" over NBC (9/19/66). Song in episode was "Take a Giant Step." Other commercials were for Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes (Tony), and Corn Flakes (Jimmy Durante). Alternate sponsor, Yardley cosmetics and fragrances (for men and women). Network promo for "I Dream of Jeannie." Behind the scenes, it was constantly rocky. A mental war between Mike Nesmith, Don Kirshner and RCA studio musicians over who plays the instruments. Kirshner and the RCA players got the boot. Small victory for Nesmith.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, an earlier TV commercial with a different family shown. Still the original four flavors: Apple Berry, Strawberry, Blueberry and Brown Sugar Cinnamon. This aired on "Atom Ant" over NBC (9/18/65). All other commercials for different Kellogg's cereals featuring Hanna-Barbera characters. Network promo for "Secret Squirrel." The tiny superhero, Atom Ant (v. Howard Morris), subdued criminals using some martial arts...if not by clobbering them with street lamp posts. Filler cartoons were "Precious Pup" (lived with an aged widow) and "Squiddly Diddly," (v. Hal Smith) an octopus who lived in a public aquarium called Bubble Land.

Remembering Peter Tork. From the prime time TV vault, Dennis James in a Pop Tarts commercial, interviewing customers, inside a supermarket, about their favorite flavor filling. This aired on "Monkees" over NBC (12/5/66). The Monkees appear for Kellogg's Rice Krispies. Also, Frosted Flakes with Tony Tiger. Alternate sponsor: Yardley men's after shave and cologne, plus women's cosmetics. Network promos for "Get Smart" and "AFL Football." Recently bought a 45 record by the Monkees, "D.W. Washburn," in which Tork played banjo. Micky sang lead, Mike did chorus, and Davy piano. Oddly, after Tork and Nesmith won control over creativity by ousting Don Kirshner, Tork left the group (after TV production and the "Head" movie). Apparently, he and Nesmith had strong disagreement over the group's future. Nesmith left in 1969 to form a country-western group. Davy and Micky called quits by 1970. Dolenz later did cartoon voice work, such as Kip in "Funky Phantom."

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, two cartoon kids stand by a tree that releases packets of Pop Tarts, including brown sugar cinnamon. This aired on "Shazzan" (NOT Shazzam) over CBS (9/30/67). Nestle Crunch with Little Hans, Mattel Liddle Kiddles, Campbell's Chicken & Stars soup and Milton Bradley Bash game also sponsored. Network promos for "Road Runner" and "Lone Ranger" cartoon. Ad Council PSA for Peace Corps. Shazzan (Barney Philips) was an Arabian genie whose main prerogative was rescuing teenage time travelers Chuck (Jerry Dexter) and Nancy (Janet Waldo) from deadly situations, when they pieced together a magical ring. 20 half-hour shows produced by Hanna-Barbera. Dexter and Waldo would later voice Alan and Josie in the 1970-72 "Josie and Pussycats" cartoon shows.

Came across some old audio cassette tapes in a Madison, Wis. antique store. On one tape, portions of a Saturday "Monkees" show (on CBS) from 10/3/70. Included: A segment of "In the Know," sponsored by Kellogg's. A Pop Tarts commercial with Dick Beals, an adult who voiced child characters in cartoons. "In the Know" was a five-minute educational short which featured Josie and the Pussycats. In most of these, "dumb blonde" Melody would ask topical questions, while brainy Josie or Valerie answered them. In 1971, this segment became "In the News," with CBS reporter Christopher Glenn, which lasted until 1991.

From the prime time TV vault, game show host Dennis James conducts "man on the street" interviews with housewives outside a supermarket, asking what their favorite flavors of Pop Tarts are. This aired during "The Monkees" on NBC (10/3/66). Primary sponsor was Yardley of London. Black Label after shave, Slicker lipstick and Black Label cologne. Network promo for "Man From UNCLE." Monkee song in episode was "Take a Giant Step" featuring Micky.

From the prime time TV vault, another Dennis James commercial. He's in the produce area in a grocery to promote Cherry Pop Tarts specifically. This aired during the "Monkees" on NBC (1/9/67). Commercial time filled by Yardley Slicker nail polish, Frosted Flakes (Tony in a teen rock group), Kellogg's Raisin Bran with the sun and Monkees for Rice Krispies. Network promo for "Laredo." Ad Council PSA for VISTA. Episode song was "The Kind of Girl I Could Love" featuring Mike Nesmith.

Hey Rob, do you happen to have any recordings of the "In the Know" Segments?

If you do, It would be great if you could digitize them and share them over the internet since currently they are almost impossible to find.