National Cherry Tart Day is a holiday that’s enjoyed annually on June 17th and celebrates the dessert that some people confuse with cherry pie. Although cherry tarts and pies are similar in the way they are made, tarts generally have a more shallow crust and don’t have a top crust. Now that we’ve dispelled the confusion, we think it’s time for everyone to enjoy this sweet and tart dessert with friends and family on this holiday. After all, cherry tarts have been enjoyed for over 400 years, so there must be something about them that draws everyone’s attention.

The Delicious History of Cherry Tarts

Tarts are descendants of pies, and pies have been around since the Ancient Egyptians. The Greeks and the Romans also enjoyed pies, although most of them don’t really resemble modern pies. Pies as we know them today started in England during the 12th century. They were known as “pyes” in Old English and were filled usually with savory ingredients such as fowl. It wouldn’t be until the 15th century that fruit pies, known as pasties, would become popular. This was around the time that the first cherry tarts began to appear.

Observing National Cherry Tart Day

National Cherry Tart Day should be celebrated with a real cherry tart—no, we don’t mean a cherry pie that you’ve uncovered, but a real cherry tart made either by your own hands or by the hands of a skilled baker. We also suggest that you enjoy these tarts with a nice tall glass of milk because these two things really complement one another. After you’ve baked and enjoyed your tarts, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalCherryTartDay on your social media accounts to spread the love about it.