Depression-era Little Debbie snack that built a family-run bakery still has Americans hooked

What began as a 5-cent snack sold during the Great Depression has grown into one of Little Debbie's best-selling treats more than 90 years later.The Oatmeal Creme Pie was Little Debbie's first snack cake, tracing its roots to 1935, when O.D.

McKee developed the treat after selling baked goods from the back of his 1928 Whippet, according to Little Debbie's website.In 1934, the McKees had purchased a bakery near Chattanooga, Tennessee, using the family car as collateral, according to the website.ALTON BROWN REVEALS THE ONE CHILDHOOD SNACK HE'D INCLUDE IN HIS IDEAL LAST MEAL"Money was so tight, they had to put up a sheet near the back of the bakery for the family's living quarters," the company history says.

Fast-forward to the 1960s, and Little Debbie, named after McKee's granddaughter, was an established brand.Oatmeal Creme Pies are "the snack that started it all!" Little Debbie's website proclaims."

Oatmeal Creme Pies have been satisfying families since 1960 as the very first snack baked under the Little Debbie brand name," the website's product description says. "Whole grain oats, molasses and irresistible crème filling combine to create this classic treat."CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWSThe original family packs of baked goods contained the Oatmeal Creme Pie and were sold for 49 cents a carton."

After its initial introduction, more than 14 million cakes were sold within 10 months," Little Debbie's website says. "While the Oatmeal Creme Pie was the original Little Debbie snack cake, there were 14 different varieties by 1964, including the ever-popular Nutty Buddy wafer bars and Swiss Cake Roll."Little Debbie has rolled out various iterations of the Oatmeal Creme Pie, including Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches and Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream Bars.

Home bakers have also created many copycat versions of the iconic snack.Today, McKee Foods, still based in Tennessee, describes itself as "America's largest family bakery."TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ