Man on man sharing Holiday is hard when your on a diet like me. Because today is April 27 National Devil Dog Day #NationalDevilDogDay. Before you ask me what is a Devil Dog is a Chocolate Cake filled with Marshmallow Frosting. Before you ask no, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a Devil Dog but I would like to. How about you?
National Devil Dog Day is one of the sweetest days which combines culinary delight with historical reverence. National Devil Dog Day is not just about savoring a delicious treat. The Holiday speaks to a significant historical nickname and a cherished family tradition. National Devil Dog Day serves as a bridge between the past and the present.
But how? Well, National Devil Dog Day honors the legacy of the U.S. Marines or “Devil Dogs” and a Chocolatey Cake bearing the same name. You can say that National Devil Dog Day is taking a bite out of military history. If you know someone in the military celebrate them today by bringing them a Devil Dog.
National Devil Dog Day carries us all the way back to the fighting days of World War I. It was then that the ferocity and tenacity of U.S. Marines earned them the nickname “Devil Dogs” from their German adversaries. This term of respect and fear represented the Marines’ relentless spirit on the battlefield. Indeed, their spirit soon permeated American culture. It appeared in U.S. recruiting posters, songs, and movies. It even inspired the names of some sports teams.
Amid this cultural phenomenon, the American baked goods company Drake’s Cakes seized upon this American bravery symbol. Drakes Cakes felt inspired to create a Cake that would echo this legendary name. Thus, the Devil Dog cake was born. The Devil Dog consisted of two elongated pieces of Devil’s Food Cake with a Marshmallow center.
This creation paid homage to the Marines. But it was also a significant time in food innovation. That’s because it was a new era that had created hydrogenated Oil to extend shelf life. In 2017, the establishment of National Devil Dog Day found its roots in a heartwarming family story. Sean Alexander Sobel was inspired by memories of his grandfather, Howard Leslie Sobel.
Sobol recalled how his granddad had often kept Devil Dog Cakes in his cupboard. Leslie Sobel. decided to establish a day in honor of this family favorite treat. This family tradition, where Sean relished Devil Dogs Cakes with his grandfather, and they became a national celebration.
The bankruptcy of Hostess Brands, the original owner of Drake’s, and the subsequent acquisition by McKee Foods Corporation in 2013 did not end the popularity of Devil Dogs. Instead, reintroducing this cake and others like Ring Dings and Yankee Doodles marked a revival of nostalgic treats. I think I need to run to the store and pick up a couple Cupcakes. Would you like to go with me?
Or we could use the recipe below in Charlie’s Homeschool Cooking Class and help Charlie prepare Devil Dogs for both of our families and we could make extra for David’s dad and his brother Mike who was in the Military. Celebrating National Devil Dog Day can be as simple as indulging in a Devil Dog cake. On the other hand, it might mean learning more about the rich history of the U.S. Marines of World War I which Charlie can study in his Homeschool History Class.
Ways to celebrate National Devil Dog Day:
You might kick off National Devil Dog Day with the most obvious way to celebrate. Grab a Devil Dog Cake and enjoy its rich flavor. Tead about the time-honored story of the U.S. Marines. In particular, brush up on their role in World War I. Books like “Through the Wheat: The U.S. Marines in World War I” offer insight into the bravery that earned them the name Devil Dogs.
If you love baking there is numerous recipes online that allow you to recreate your own Devil Dogs. Turn your kitchen into a Devil Dogs lab and experiment with different variations of the snack. Of course, you’ll want to share your homemade treats with friends and neighbors or you should share because it isn’t healthy to eat a lot of sweets.
The history behind Devil Dogs is also a lesson in the evolution of food technology. The development of hydrogenated Oils and the growth of the commercial baking industry are equally fascinating for anyone interested in culinary history. National Devil Dog Day is a sweet reminder of the ties between culinary delights and historical events and a celebration of a snack cake.
But it’s even bigger than that, as it’s also about the U.S. Marines’ enduring spirit, the baking industry’s evolution, and the power of family memories. So, on National Devil Dog Day let’s all take a bite of history and enjoy what were tasting and celebrating.
Recipe for Devil Dogs:
- 5 tbsp. Flour
- 1 c. Milk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1 c. Butter
- 1 c. Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)
- In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick, thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix is. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.) It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in vanilla.
- While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You don’t want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven’t beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.
- Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If there is any left after your taste test, spread it on a cooled chocolate cake.
- Cut yourself a piece of the Devil Dog and grab a fork to taste the most divine pairing you can imagine. The Icing ie Frosting on the Devil Dog Chocolate Cake is to die for.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
