- Categories:
- Special Interest
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- AmericanDessertMilitary
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every April 27
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- 🍰
National Devil Dog Day arrives every April 27, celebrating the beloved Drake’s snack cake while also honoring the U.S. Marine Corps, whose members earned the ‘Devil Dogs’ nickname. This unique holiday invites us to enjoy a sweet treat and reflect on military bravery. Share your favorite Devil Dog memory, learn about Marine Corps history, or support veteran organizations.
Want to sponsor National Devil Dog Day? Learn how
Expected National Devil Dog Day Deals
As National Devil Dog Day approaches, look for special promotions from snack cake brands and retailers. While specific 2027 deals are still to be announced, past observances have seen discounts on classic treats. Consider checking with Drake’s, Hostess, and Little Debbie for promotions on their cream-filled cakes. Many local bakeries and delis might also offer their own versions or specials. Additionally, military-friendly businesses often extend special discounts to active service members and veterans on days recognizing military contributions. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 27 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Devil Dog Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDevilDogDay. Share photos of your favorite Devil Dog snack or creative ways you’re honoring the Marine Corps.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalDevilDogDay. Film a quick review of a Devil Dog, or create content highlighting Marine Corps history.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDevilDogDay. Share stories of Marine Corps heroism or your favorite snack cake recipes.
National Devil Dog Day Hero
John A. Lejeune
History of National Devil Dog Day
These delicious cream-filled treats apparently got their name from the Marine Corps, although these origins cannot be verified. Apparently, the Germans dubbed the U.S. Marines as ‘Devil Dogs’ during the First World War, for their absolute persistence and determination under fire. This phrase gained immense popularity, appearing on a U.S. recruiting poster, in poems and songs, in movies, and even as sports-team names. This nickname also inspired a cake, which is where our story begins.
Howard Leslie Sobel used to keep Devil Dogs cakes in his cupboard, a practice his grandson Sean Alexander Sobel greatly enjoyed. He would look forward to finding them in his grandfather’s cupboard, taking out one for each of them to eat together. This treasured practice soon spawned a family tradition and inspired Sean to found National Devil Dog Day to honor his grandfather’s memory.
Hostess Brands, the American baked goods company, owned Drake’s, which originally came up with the concept for Devil Dogs cakes. They went bankrupt in 2012 and were purchased by another snack food and granola manufacturer, McKee Foods Corporation, the very next year. This company reintroduced multiple top-selling products, including Ring Dings, Yankee Doodles, and the Devil Dogs cakes.
National Devil Dog Day timeline
German soldiers begin calling the U.S. Marines 'Devil Dogs' for their very canine-like tenacity and ferociousness.
American baked goods brand Drake’s are the first to start making the cakes.
Sean Alexander Sobel establishes a special day to celebrate this devilish treat.
National Devil Dog Day is officially created and America starts celebrating this holiday.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Devil Dog Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Devil Dog Day by offering special promotions on snack cakes or creating their own ‘Devil Dog’ inspired desserts. Bakeries and cafes could feature a limited-time Devil Dog latte or milkshake. Restaurants might offer a dessert special. Businesses can also honor the Marine Corps by offering discounts to veterans and active service members, or by partnering with local military support organizations for a fundraising event. Displaying a small tribute to the Marine Corps can also show appreciation.
National Devil Dog Day FAQs
When is National Devil Dog Day?
In 2027, National Devil Dog Day is observed on Tuesday, April 27, providing an early-week opportunity to enjoy the classic snack and recognize military service.
How did the Marine Corps get the 'Devil Dogs' nickname?
The ‘Devil Dogs’ moniker is a proud part of Marine Corps lore, stemming from the fierce combat during the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. German forces, impressed by the Marines’ tenacity, allegedly bestowed the ‘Teufel Hunden’ nickname upon them, which quickly translated to ‘Devil Dogs’ in English.
How many Devil Dogs are sold annually?
The popularity of snack cakes like Devil Dogs remains consistently high, with consumers buying an estimated hundreds of millions of units annually. This enduring demand highlights the widespread appeal of these convenient and nostalgic treats across all demographics.
What is the difference between a Devil Dog and a Whoopie Pie?
Though both are popular cream-filled cake treats, the Devil Dog is distinct for its rectangular shape and dense cake texture, characteristic of the Drake’s brand. The Whoopie Pie, conversely, is usually round, with a softer, more cookie-like cake and a marshmallow-based filling, often associated with New England and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine.
National Devil Dog Day Activities
Eat a Devil Dog
We know, we know, this one is slightly obvious, but we believe a person hasn't lived if they have not had a taste of this little dessert. Grab one from your local store or order one online (if they don't sell these where you live) and bite into the cakey goodness.
Read up on the Devil Dogs
Not the cake — although you could do that too — we mean the history of the Marines in World War I. You can browse books such as “Through the Wheat: The U.S. Marines in World War I,” or “The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I.”
Make your own Devil Dog cake
Multiple cooking websites and blogs have their variations of the Devil Dog recipe, which has been refined over the years. Pick your favorite recipe and head on over to the kitchen to whip up your own scrumptious bone-shaped cake filled with fluffy marshmallow frosting.
Fun Facts About National Devil Dog Day
The only thing the Devil Dogs share is their name
There is little to no evidence that the Devil Dogs were military-spawned, unlike food items like energy bars or the McRib.
The rise of hydrogenated oil
The spoilage of butter or lard in cream-filled delights spawned the development of hydrogenated oil, which kept shelf items edible for longer periods.
There's a new Devil Dog in the market
Drake's introduced a spinoff of the original Devil Dog cakes after 91 long years — it's called the Fudge Dipped Devil Dogs.
It’s a true celebration!
In a funny coincidence, the new spinoff of the Devil Dog cake was put out the same year that Sean Alexander Sobel created National Devil Dog Day, in 2017.
The memories grow the customer base
The company making Devil Dogs believes nostalgia and a taste for their childhood drives this snack’s sales, which is why they mainly market it to adults.
Why We Love National Devil Dog Day
We learn about the Corps and their bravery
The delicacy was created to honor the Devil Dogs, and we think this day is the perfect way to pay homage to both the cake and the Marines. It provides us an opportunity to honor those people whose brave actions gave them their name. Plus, we believe the fact that they share this day with their namesake cake adds a certain sweetness to the occasion, no pun intended.
We see the evolution of food innovation
Who would have thought putting two devil food cakes together and using a cream filling would culminate in a lip-smacking dessert? Not only do we learn about the flourishing of similar baked delights created during the 1920s, but we also get a chance to learn more about other innovations that came about due to this trend.
We get to eat cake!
We love any excuse to eat cake and when we learn there is a whole day dedicated to one of our favorite desserts, well, we get very excited! So what are you waiting for? Go out there and sample as many variations of this cake as you can find.
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