Twinkies were first produced in 1930 by the Continental Baking Company in Illinois as a way to use shortbread pans that were no longer in use. With strawberries out of season, one of the bakers created a banana cream-filled cake using the small shortbread pans. During World War II banana imports all but ceased, the company switched the banana cream for vanilla, and the Twinkie as we know it today was born. The vanilla cream has been the dominant flavor for Twinkies ever since, with a few brief limited time productions of chocolate, banana, and other fruit flavors.
The name “Twinkie” is said to have been inspired by a billboard for “Twinkle Toe Shoes” near the bakery. It is unknown whether the shoes resembled the shape of the Twinkie cake or if the baker just found the name pleasant and catchy. Whatever the reason, the name has been a hit with fans and has added to the playful allure of this fun food.
Twinkies have been a favorite snack food in America for almost a hundred years and have also become a permanent part of American pop culture. From school lunch boxes to urban legends and criminal defenses, Twinkies have become much more than just a humble snack cake.
In 1999, President Bill Clinton included Twinkies in the millennium time capsule as an icon of American food culture. It is no coincidence that urban legends and rumors have perpetuated for years that a Twinkie has a shelf life of years or even decades.
Today, Twinkies are being used in more and more creative ways. Deep fried Twinkies have become a common novelty food at state fairs and from other street food vendors. Several devoted fans have built multi-tiered wedding cakes out of their beloved Twinkies. Twinkies have also found their way into various other foods, such as pie, sushi, and tiramisu.
According to thespruceeats.com. Source of photos: internet
