Drakes, Hostess and other companies were chugging out snack food in the 1920s which served as easy-to-carry desserts for workers who carried their lunch and kids to enjoy as a snack. We still know and love them today! Here are a few of them.

Devil Dog History

The Devil Dog was created in 1926 and eventually came under the Drake family’s line of cakes. The Drake’s family business started in Harlem in 1896 making pound cakes, macaroons and other sweets and later expanded to Roxbury Mass and Brooklyn. The Devil Dog, now known as a snack cake started out as Devil’s food cake. What is the difference between Devil’s food cake and ordinary chocolate cake? No one can say for sure…but here’s what we do know: the Devil Dog was the nic-name for the rigged Marines who fought in WWI. Perhaps the force behind the name, Devil Dog? No one knows for sure. Number 2: The Drake Brothers bought the Devil Dogs in the 1950s as portable foods grew in stature. And Number 3: the Drake Company had always been masters of marketing, holding lavish affairs for its staff and advertising widely. In fact, in 1909 Drake’s commissioned a ragtime song called “Drake’s Cake Walk.”

Twinkie Love

Twinkies were invented in 1930 in Illionis, but, so rumor had it, was really invented in 1869 nin Wyoming. Whatever. Here’s what really happened. The sponge cake originated in the 1700s – it was harder than today’s version but grew softer and more fanciful during the 1800s. No doubt legends of sponge cake recipes – mostly passed on by word-of-mouth existed through North America. The Twinkie found its place…and notoriety, in the Hostess Corporate World. Originally, the cream filing was banana but, due to shortages during WW2, was used instead. Definitely, Twinkie’s rose to stardom in the movie “Ghost Busters.” 

Marshmallow Rice Squares

Rice Krispies would not exist were it not for the company’s mascots – Snap, Crackle and Pop! Made by illustrator Vernon Grant, starting with Snap, in 1933, and followed by Crackle and Pop, in 1939, the gnomes created a marketing wave that would not stop… Even the Rolling Stones recorded an advertisement! Anyway, in 1939 Mildred Day, a leader in the Campfire Girls and an employee in Kellogg Home Economics Department, developed the idea of creating Marshmallow Rice Crispy Squares. The concept was based on a 1916 recipe for “Puffed Rice Brittle.” During that time, Campfire girls were also selling “Campfire Marshmallows” and the fit worked. A few years later, Kellogg’s put the recipe on the back of the cereal box, trademarked the name and it became the go-to for birthday parties and other fun events. Jump ahead about 50 years and the treats became pre-made, sold at supermarkets and everywhere else…under the original and new names. Our marshmallow treats are hand-dipped with chocolate using a turn-of-century recipe. Delicious!