TwinkiesThis year, National Twinkie Day is celebrated April 6. Did you know Twinkies were created in Illinois? One of America’s favorite snack food was created in 1930 by James Dewer at Conventional Baking Company in River Forest, Ill.

Twinkies were first produced to use shortbread pans that were no longer needed. One of the bakers created a banana cream-filled cake using the small shortbread pans. During World War II, banana imports were all but ceased. The company switched the banana cream for vanilla, and the Twinkie as we know it today was born.

Celebrate National Twinkie Day by enjoying the cream-filled snack cake.