Celebrated annually on October 14th, National Dessert Day is a day for people to satisfy their sweet tooth and enjoy the dessert of their choice. It’s a holiday that is celebrated in the United States and should not be confused with Eat an Extra Dessert Day, which falls on September 4th each year.

On this day, you can bake one of your favorite desserts or perhaps take advantage of one of the sweet freebies offered.

History of National Dessert Day

While no one knows for sure when National Dessert Day was started in the United States, one thing is certain: the origin of the word “dessert.” It comes from the French word “desservir,” which means to clear the table. In the 15th century, dessert referred to a course served after all other dishes had been removed from the table. At that time, many chefs were adding sugar to their savory dishes, which is likely why “desservir,” or dessert, is now associated with sweet treats.

From the 19th century onward, a variety of desserts became popular in the United States. For instance, in Boston during the 19th century, a vanilla sponge cake filled with vanilla cream and topped with chocolate glaze became known as Boston Cream Pie. Around the same time, Key Lime Pie was introduced in Florida, likely due to the abundance of lime trees planted by the Spanish during the 18th century. However, the popularity of this dessert did not take off until after World War II, due to hurricanes destroying the lime trees across the state.

Over the years, desserts such as Baked Alaska, the Banana Split, and Cheesecake, which was invented in New York City in 1912, became popular in the United States. The Ice Cream Cone was invented during the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904. Other desserts that rose and fell in popularity include Blum’s Coffee Crunch Cake, Marionberry Pie, and Bananas Foster, although the latter has made somewhat of a comeback in recent years.

National Dessert Day Customs & Traditions

The best way to observe National Dessert Day is to try one of the many traditional American desserts. For some, this may mean apple pie or ice cream. For others, it may include brownies, checkerboard cake, chocolate chip cookies, apple crisps, brown betty, or chocolate cake. The choice is yours!

If you want to promote this holiday and let the world know you are celebrating it, you can use the hashtag #NationalDessertDay on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. Be sure to post a picture of your dessert when you use this hashtag, so the world can see the delicious treat you are enjoying.