Best Little Debbie Snacks: Ranking Little Debbie’s Top 5 Snack Cakes
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Written by: Lolcandy
- Updated: November 11, 2023
For over 50 years, Little Debbie snack cakes have delighted the taste buds of generations of snackers. From after school treats to lunch box staples, these irresistible snacks hold a special place in many people’s hearts. But with dozens of delicious varieties to choose from, how do you pick the very best Little Debbie snack cakes? We sampled and ranked all the classics to definitively determine the top 5.
After extensive taste testing of every beloved Little Debbie variety, we carefully considered factors like flavor, texture, nostalgia, and overall snackability to select the crème de la crème. While it was difficult to narrow down, we’re confident these top 5 picks represent Little Debbie snack cakes at their finest. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just discovering these gems for the first time, read on to discover the tastiest Little Debbie snacks you need to try. From childhood throwbacks to new favorites, this definitive ranking has got you covered on the very best Little Debbie snack cakes available today.
Ranking Factors
We considered various factors to determine the top 5 Little Debbie snack cakes, focusing primarily on taste, texture, freshness, popularity, and nutritional value.
The main criteria we used for ranking are:
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Taste – One of the most important factors is how delicious the snack cakes are. We looked at reviews and our own testing to determine which Little Debbie snacks have the best flavors.
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Texture – The texture and mouthfeel of the snack cake is key. We favored Little Debbie snacks with soft, moist interiors and crunchy exteriors.
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Freshness – Snack cakes taste best when they are fresh, so we considered how well each Little Debbie product retains freshness after opening.
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Popularity – While popularity doesn’t always equal quality, it can be a good indicator of which snacks consumers love the most. We looked at best-selling Little Debbie products.
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Nutritional Value – Although snack cakes are treats, we still evaluated the calorie count, sugars, protein, etc. to account for nutritional value.
By weighing all of these criteria, we settled on the top 5 most delicious, crave-worthy Little Debbie snack cakes. Keep reading to see our favorites!
1. Little Debbie Honey Bun
Little Debbie Honey Buns are a classic snack cake that have been around for decades. The sweet rolls are coated with a honey flavored glaze on top that provides a delicious sweetness. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the pros, cons and overall quality of Little Debbie Honey Buns.
Pros:
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Sweet honey flavor: The light honey glaze on top of the rolls provides a lovely sweet taste that isn’t overpowering
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Soft, pillowy texture: The rolls themselves have a soft, pillowy texture that almost seems to melt in your mouth with each bite
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Convenient snacking: Honey buns come individually wrapped, making them a convenient on-the-go snack you can easily throw in a lunchbox or bag
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Nostalgic treat: For many, eating honey buns brings back fond childhood memories, adding to their ongoing popularity
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Affordable price: You get a box of 6 honey buns for just a few dollars, making them a budget-friendly bakery treat
Cons:
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High in sugar: With 21g of sugar per bun, they are quite high in added sugars, something to watch out for
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Lack of nutrition: Aside from carbs and sugar, honey buns don’t offer much nutritional value and are low in protein
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Easy to overeat: The sweet taste and soft texture makes it easy to overindulge and eat more honey buns than intended
In summary, Little Debbie Honey Buns offer a delicious sweet bakery treat with pleasant honey flavors. The soft, pillowy texture and convenience make them an appealing snack. However, the high sugar content is something to be mindful of. Overall, honey buns remain a nostalgic, budget-friendly classic.
2. Little Debbie Zebra Cakes
Little Debbie Zebra Cakes are a classic snack cake featuring yellow cake with white frosting topped with fudge stripes to look like a zebra. In this review, we’ll explore the unique qualities and characteristics of Zebra Cakes and why they’ve become a beloved treat for many.
Pros:
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Familiar flavor: The yellow cake and white frosting taste just like many childhood birthday cakes, evoking nostalgia for many.
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Fun zebra stripe design: The mini zebra print motif makes these snack cakes visually appealing, especially to kids.
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Bite-sized portion: Each cake is a handheld, portion-controlled treat that satisfies a sweet tooth without going overboard.
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Wide availability: Zebra Cakes can be found in grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and mass retailers nationwide.
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Affordable indulgence: At a budget-friendly price point, these snack cakes are an accessible daily treat or dessert.
Cons:
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Unhealthy: With trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and lots of preservatives, Zebra Cakes provide empty calories and minimal nutrition.
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Small cakes: Each cake is quite small, so one pack may leave bigger appetites unsatisfied.
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Artificial taste: The flavors are not as fresh or rich as homemade cakes baked from scratch.
In conclusion, Zebra Cakes offer a fun, familiar, and affordable sweet snack with nostalgic childhood appeal. While not the healthiest choice, their zebra striped design and classic flavors make them a whimsical treats. Just don’t expect gourmet quality from these mass-produced mini cakes.
3. Little Debbie Birthday Cakes
Little Debbie Birthday Cakes are a fun and festive treat made with vanilla flavored cake and colorful candy sprinkles. In this review, we’ll explore the tasty qualities of these celebratory snacks.
Pros:
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Festive flavor: The vanilla cake has a pleasant sweetness that pairs nicely with the colorful candy confetti sprinkles baked inside
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Fun and nostalgic: These snack cakes make a perfect dessert for a kids’ birthday party or anyone who wants to celebrate with a sweet treat
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Moist cake: The cake itself is soft and moist, not dry or crumbly
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Convienient snacking: They come pre-packaged and portion controlled so they’re easy to enjoy on-the-go
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Classic Little Debbie taste: Fans of Little Debbie will enjoy the recognizable flavors of these classic snacks
Cons:
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High in sugar: With 21g of sugar per cake, they are quite sweet and sugary
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Lots of artificial colors: The bright candy sprinkles contain artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1
In conclusion, Little Debbie Birthday Cakes offer a delicious sweet treat for celebrating special occasions. Their festive vanilla cake paired with fun rainbow sprinkles make them a nostalgic and tasty snack. Just be aware they are high in sugar and artificial colors. But their moist cake and convienent snacking size still make them an enjoyable option for fans of Little Debbie’s classic flavors.
4. Little Debbie Unicorn Cakes
Little Debbie Unicorn Cakes are a fun twist on their classic snack cakes. These colorful cakes are coated in sparkly icing and have a light strawberry flavor. In this review, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Little Debbie Unicorn Cakes.
Pros:
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Fun, whimsical design: The bright colors and unicorn theme make these cakes appeal to kids and adults alike. The glittery icing and unicorn imprint add a magical touch.
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Tasty strawberry flavor: While subtle, the strawberry flavor is noticeable and adds a nice fruity taste. The cakes have a pleasant sweetness.
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Soft, spongy texture: The cakes are light and fluffy with a tender crumb . The texture balances nicely with the thin layer of icing.
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Nostalgic snack cake: Little Debbie’s snack cakes are classic treats that evoke nostalgia. Unicorn Cakes put a new spin on their iconic flavors and style.
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Fun indulgence: These whimsical cakes are an enjoyable, sweet treat for snacking or dessert. The single-serve packs are easy to grab for a quick bite.
Cons:
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High in sugar and calories: With 14g of sugar per cake, they are quite sweet treats . The lack of nutrition limits it to an occasional snack.
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Artificial ingredients: Unicorn Cakes contain artificial colors and flavors common in mass-produced snack foods. Those looking for wholesome ingredients may want to avoid.
In summary, Little Debbie’s Unicorn Cakes offer a delicious, nostalgic treat with their strawberry flavor and soft texture. The colorful, magical theme gives these snack cakes broad appeal. Just be mindful of the high sugar content. For an indulgent snack cake, Unicorn Cakes are a tasty choice.
5. Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls
Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls are a classic snack cake featuring a soft white sponge cake wrapped around a strawberry creme filling and coated with a light, sweet strawberry-flavored icing. Known for their pillowy texture and bright strawberry flavor, these snack cakes have remained a beloved favorite for decades.
Pros:
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Delicious strawberry taste: The sweet icing and fruity creme filling provide plenty of strawberry flavor in each bite .
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Soft, moist texture: The cake layer is light and fluffy with a tender crumb that perfectly complements the smooth creme filling.
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Satisfying portion size: Each individually wrapped cake makes for a tasty indulgent snack without overdoing it on portion size.
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Nostalgic treat: Strawberry Shortcake Rolls offer comforting childhood nostalgia for many who grew up enjoying Little Debbie snacks .
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Affordable price: Sold in boxes of 48, these snack cakes provide delicious snacking at a wallet-friendly price point .
Cons:
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Can be overly sweet: The sugary strawberry icing and filling may be too sweet for some .
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Not the most nutritious: While tasty, these snack cakes are more of an indulgent treat and lack nutritional value .
In summary, Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls deliver on their promise of delicious strawberry flavor and tender soft texture. The nostalgic taste of these snacks makes them a fan favorite. While they may not be the most nutritious option, their tasty flavor profile and satisfying portion size make Strawberry Shortcake Rolls a fun occasional treat.
Ranking Recap
In determining our rankings of the top 5 Little Debbie snack cakes, we considered several key factors including taste, texture, freshness, popularity, nostalgia, and overall enjoyment.
The Honey Buns took the top spot due to their irresistible combination of soft, pillowy bread and sweet glaze. Their size also makes them perfect for sharing or saving half for later.
Zebra Cakes came in second place for their fun zebra stripe pattern and balanced flavors of chocolate cake and creme filling. They have just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering.
Birthday Cakes ranked third thanks to their festive colors and sprinkle topping that evokes childhood birthday parties. Their cake-like texture also makes them more exciting than an average snack cake.
Unicorn Cakes brought some whimsy into fourth place with their pink strawberry flavor and pretty white icing. They have a nice light cake texture that’s not too dense.
Finally, Strawberry Shortcake Rolls rounded out our top five with their fruity jam filling and soft bread exterior. Their compact size makes them easy to pop in your mouth.
Overall, we aimed to highlight classic and fun Little Debbie favorites that have stood the test of time while also accounting for new limited edition options. There are many great snack cakes to choose from, but we believe these five encapsulate some of the best attributes Little Debbie has to offer.
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing Little Debbie snacks, consider your personal taste preferences as well as the storage and freshness requirements.
How to Choose the Right Snack
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Flavor – If you have a sweet tooth, cakes and rolls like Honey Buns, Zebra Cakes, and Strawberry Shortcake Rolls will satisfy your cravings. For something more salty or savory, try the brand’s mini cookies or swiss cake varieties.
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Nutrition – Little Debbie snacks vary in calories, sugar, and fat content. Be mindful of portions if watching your nutrition intake. Opt for snacks with less processed ingredients when possible.
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Purpose – Buy snacks based on when and how you plan to enjoy them. Individually wrapped or mini portions are convenient for lunch boxes or on-the-go. Party packs or full size options may suit gatherings or family snacks at home.
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Dietary Needs – Check ingredient labels if you have food allergies or sensitivities. Many Little Debbie products contain common allergens like wheat, milk, eggs, tree nuts, and soy.
Storage Tips
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Store unopened Little Debbie snacks in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight. Avoid storage areas that may get too hot like near the oven.
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Once opened, keep snacks in a tightly sealed container or resealable bag. For optimal freshness, use within 2-3 weeks. Discard immediately if you see any mold.
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Do not refrigerate or freeze Little Debbie snacks unless specified on the packaging. The texture and taste can be negatively impacted.
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Check ‘best by’ or expiration dates and use older snacks first. Under proper storage, unopened snacks are generally safe to consume a few weeks past the date.
Following basic buyer tips and storage guidelines helps ensure you can safely enjoy the optimal flavor and texture of Little Debbie snacks.
Snack Cake Nutrition
Little Debbie snack cakes can provide a tasty treat, but it’s important to keep nutrition in mind. Here are some key points on the nutritional pros and cons of these snack cakes:
Pros:
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Snack cakes like Oatmeal Creme Pies provide some fiber and whole grains from the oats. This can help provide energy and keep you feeling fuller longer
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Many Little Debbie snacks like Zebra Cakes contain calcium to help support bone health
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Snacks like Nutty Bars have protein from nuts and peanut butter which can help curb hunger
Cons:
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Most Little Debbie snacks are high in added sugars, providing over 20g per serving, which exceeds daily limits (4). Too much added sugar is linked to increased risk for obesity, heart disease, and diabetes (5).
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Many Little Debbie snacks are high in saturated fat and total fat, including trans fats, which may negatively impact cholesterol levels and heart health (6).
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Snack cakes often lack significant amounts of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Moderation is key when enjoying Little Debbie snacks:
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Limit yourself to one serving or less per day as an occasional treat. Don’t overindulge.
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Pair snack cakes with fruits, veggies, or other more nutritious foods to help increase fiber, vitamins, and minerals in your diet.
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Drink plenty of water instead of sugary drinks and stay active to help balance out the treat.
Enjoying the occasional Little Debbie snack cake in moderation can be part of an overall balanced diet. Just be mindful of portions and nutritional balance.
Snack Cake History
Snack cakes have become an iconic part of American culture, and Little Debbie is one of the most recognizable brands. The origins of the Little Debbie brand trace back to the Great Depression era. In 1934, O.D. McKee began selling 5¢ snack cakes from the back of his 1928 Whippet car to supplement his family’s income during tough economic times [1]. At the time, he likely could not have imagined that his small business would one day grow into the McKee Foods Corporation, now one of America’s leading snack cake manufacturers.
The brand itself was named after O.D. McKee’s granddaughter, Debbie. By the 1960s, the company had expanded and built a modern plant in Tennessee to meet growing demand for their affordable snack cakes and desserts [2]. As the brand grew over the decades, Little Debbie snack cakes became a nostalgic treat for many American families. The company leaned into this nostalgia, marketing the cakes as an iconic part of childhood. Their popularity soared, and now Little Debbie cakes are found in stores across America. From humble Depression-era origins, the brand cemented itself as a beloved part of pop culture and snack food history.
Conclusion
This wraps up our top 5 list of the Best Little Debbie Snack Cakes! We hope this article has helped you narrow down the most delightful and tasty frozen snack cakes that Little Debbie has to offer.
To quickly recap, here were our top picks:
- Honey Buns – Sweet glazed treats with soft, fluffy dough.
- Zebra Cakes – Fan favorite with chocolate, white creme and yellow cake layers.
- Birthday Cakes – Festive vanilla snack cakes with sprinkles.
- Unicorn Cakes – Magical sparkling strawberry flavor and rainbow design.
- Strawberry Shortcake Rolls – Creamy strawberry filling and soft cake rolls.
While taste preferences vary, all of these frozen snack cakes pack big flavor in a convenient, portion-controlled treat. Little Debbie offers customers decades of snack cake experience and quality ingredients for an affordable price.
Whatever you choose, we wish you many happy snacking moments ahead! Satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking the bank.
FAQs:
What is Little Debbie?
Little Debbie is a brand of snack cakes and other baked goods owned by McKee Foods. They are known for their affordable prices and wide variety of snacks including Oatmeal Creme Pies, Zebra Cakes, Honey Buns, and Swiss Rolls. The brand was launched in 1960 by O.D. McKee who named it after his granddaughter Debbie.
Where are Little Debbie snacks made?
Little Debbie snacks are made in bakeries located in Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas in the United States. McKee Foods has baking plants in Collegedale, TN, Gentry, AR, and Stuarts Draft, VA.
Are Little Debbie snacks bad for you?
Like most processed snacks, Little Debbie products are often high in sugar, fat, and calories. However, they are a treat that can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Look for options with less sugar and saturated fat. Also pay attention to portion sizes when snacking.
What is the most popular Little Debbie snack?
According to the brand, the Oatmeal Creme Pie is Little Debbie’s most popular snack cake. Other customer favorites include Nutty Bars, Cosmic Brownies, Swiss Rolls, Zebra Cakes, and Christmas Tree Cakes.
Where can I buy Little Debbie snacks?
You can find Little Debbie snacks at most grocery stores, supermarkets, gas stations, convenience stores, and wholesale clubs in the United States. Many retailers will carry the best-selling products like Oatmeal Creme Pies and Zebra Cakes.
How long do Little Debbie snacks last?
Unopened Little Debbie snacks generally have a shelf life of 2-3 months when stored properly at room temperature. Once opened, the snacks will last 1-2 weeks. For optimal freshness, store sealed packages in a cool, dry place. You can also freeze the snacks for longer storage.
Are Little Debbie snacks vegan or gluten-free?
Most Little Debbie snacks contain milk, eggs, and wheat making them not vegan or gluten-free. However, the brand has introduced vegan and gluten-free options such as the Iced Lemon Mini Muffins, Iced Blueberry Mini Muffins, and Cinnamon Streusel Mini Muffins. Always check labels.
