Like one of Tom Wilson’s other famed creations, Ziggy, the bonneted little bumpkin we’ve come to know as Strawberry Shortcake got her start as a character on American Greetings cards in 1979.

Early on, popular ’80s toy company Kenner saw the potential of the character’s appeal to little girls and decided to manufacture Strawberry Shortcake dolls in 1980. In addition to our sweet-smelling heroine, three other "pastry-named" friends were made: Huckleberry Pie, Blueberry Muffin, and Apple Dumplin’. Later, more friends joined the fictional "berry"-laden world: Apricot, Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom and Raspberry Tart.

The Strawberry Shortcake line made licensing history as the first scented doll to hit the market. Over 25 million dolls and 35 million accessories were sold during the height of its popularity.

In the stories that eventually came in the forms of tie-in books, films and a live-action TV series, the whole group of girls live in Strawberryland and attempted to protect the interests of the mystical Berry Princess from the villain, Purple Pieman.

But in spite of the occasional row with their antagonist, the Strawberry Shortcake franchise–and the imaginary land surrounding it–is pretty saccharine, as children’s heroes and heroines go.

In fact, it’s almost baffling how popular the girl and her gang are, even after a sort of "silent period" throughout the 1990s (In 2003, the toy line was revived by Bandai Entertainment). After all, cartoons and books have become increasingly immune to the more "sugar and spice" aspects of girldom.

We wonder if this means that, despite many market trends and pushes toward feminism in children’s media, not much has changed in what little girls look for in heroines over the years. Perhaps sweetness can be just as effective in combating evil as toughness.

Regardless, after just one year back on the market, Strawberry Shortcake has gone to break records and garner new fans. One of the most successful licenses in history, Strawberry Shortcake has seen more than $1.2 billion in retail sales.