Cream cheese frosting is an icing that’s perfect for just about any cake — it doesn’t matter if it’s a cupcake or a sheet cake. There’s just something decadent about it, and it can really elevate an ordinarily plain dessert into something truly stupendous.

Cream cheese was first invented during the 19th century in New York, but soon its popularity spread across the country. Eventually, someone came up with the bright idea of creating a frosting with it as a base, and the rest is history.

Now we can celebrate that rich history on a holiday known as National Cream Cheese Frosting Day. This holiday is observed annually on March 31st every year.

The History of National Cream Cheese Frosting Day

This holiday was first created in the 1870s in New York by a dairyman named William Lawrence. He invented this cheese by accident after unsuccessfully trying to make Neufchâtel—a French cheese that’s supposed to be soft and slightly crumbly.

Lawrence’s version was too soft and not crumbly enough. This was due to it having less fat and a higher moisture content. After sampling his mistake, however, he decided that it was actually quite good, so he decided to keep making it.

Cream cheese started off as a bit of a delicacy in New York restaurants, but Mr. Lawrence eventually decided to sell it in foil wrappers. He then invented the brand name Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese and began to sell it.

In 1903, his company, the Philadelphia trademark, would be picked up by the Phoenix Cheese Company. In 1928, the Kraft Cheese Company acquired the brand. This cream cheese is still manufactured by Kraft all over the world. It’s become a staple for covering bagels and for making cream cheese frosting.

Observing National Cream Cheese Frosting Day

Some of the ways that we enjoy this holiday include eating cakes with cream cheese frosting and making our own cream cheese frosting. Making this frosting doesn’t take a whole lot.

All you really need is some softened cream cheese, some butter, some powdered sugar, and some vanilla. Easy-peasy. Of course, that basic cream cheese frosting can also be spiced up with additional flavors including eggnog, orange cream, chocolate, maple syrup, coffee, or coconut cream.

No matter what type of cream cheese frosting you decide to make, however, be sure to let us all have a look at it by taking a picture of it and posting it to social media using the hashtag #NationalCreamCheeseFrostingDay.