Absolutely! That reaction is so uniquely Philly — mention Tastykakes, and suddenly you’re not talking to a grown-up anymore, you’re talking to a kid at the corner store with 25 cents in their pocket and big decisions to make: Butterscotch Krimpets or Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes?
It’s one of those rare brands that taps directly into nostalgia and identity. In Philly, Tastykakes aren't just snack cakes — they're cultural artifacts. They remind people of school lunches, family road trips, mom-and-pop stores, and a time when life was simpler. And for transplants or a Soldier overseas, getting a Tastykake in the mail was like receiving a slice of home.
🏙️ The Origin & History of Tastykake
Tastykake was founded in 1914 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Philip J. Baur, a Pittsburgh baker, and Herbert T. Morris, an egg salesman. Their vision was to create fresh, individually wrapped cakes made with quality ingredients and distribute them daily to local stores, something revolutionary at the time.
📜 Early Innovations & Growth
The name "Tastykake" was coined by Morris’s wife, who believed the product was both tasty and dainty like a cake.
The company’s first offerings included simple but delicious treats like cream-filled cupcakes, sponge cakes, and fruit pies, which quickly became local favorites.
In 1922, Tastykake introduced its now-legendary Butterscotch Krimpets, a golden sponge cake topped with rich butterscotch icing. These, along with Koffee Kakes and Chocolate Cupcakes, became brand staples.
🚚 A Philadelphia Staple
Tastykake became known for its daily delivery model: fresh products were shipped to stores each morning using a fleet of Tastykake trucks, ensuring unbeatable freshness.
The brand’s popularity surged in Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic, becoming a cultural touchstone—many locals still recall growing up with Tastykakes in their lunchboxes.
🏭 Expansion & Modern Era
In 2011, Tastykake was acquired by Flowers Foods, a Georgia-based baked goods giant (also owner of Nature’s Own and Dave’s Killer Bread), giving the brand national distribution.
Despite national growth, Tastykake has remained deeply rooted in Philadelphia, with loyal fans across generations.
🍰 Legacy
Today, Tastykake is known for its nostalgic appeal, consistent quality, and iconic products like:
- Butterscotch Krimpets
- Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes
- Koffee Kake Cupcakes
- Glazed Honey Buns
...and a variety of seasonal and regional flavors.
Here’s a homemade version of the Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets, the beloved Philadelphia treat. This copycat recipe captures the soft golden sponge cake, signature shape, and rich butterscotch icing.
🧁 Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets (Copycat Recipe)
🍰 Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or 3/4 cup milk + 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice)
🥄 Butterscotch Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (more as needed for consistency)
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line with parchment, or a Mini-Loaf Krimpett pan
- In a bowl, cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet in batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely in the pan.
2. Make the Butterscotch Frosting:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in milk or cream and vanilla.
- Cool slightly, then beat in powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
3. Assemble:
- Spread the butterscotch frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Chill briefly for clean cutting.
- Slice into rectangular bars (about 3"x1.5"), and optionally, press the sides slightly to mimic the classic “krimped” look.
📝 Tips:
- For an even closer copycat texture, add 1 tbsp of cornstarch to the flour mix.
- You can use a pastry wheel to shape edges if you're replicating the original Krimpet design.
