National Cake Day is annually celebrated on November 26th in the United States. This day celebrates one of the most popular confection of our world today which are obviously cakes!
We believe Marie Antoinette said it best when she (allegedly) said "let them eat cake!" We are not sure the peasants of 18th century France were too fond of the sentiment as we all know what went down in French revolution but nevertheless we'll take her advice do just that for this occasion.
Cake is arguably one of the most delicious baked goods that humans have ever made to eat, and its numerous varieties continue to astound every food lover every day. For that reason, it is obvious that cake is deserves a holiday of its own and that's why we have National Cake Day!
| Event | National Cake Day |
|---|---|
| Date | November 26, 2022 |
| Day | Saturday |
| Significance | The day honors cakes and people's fondness for them |
| Observed by | United States |
National Cake Day History:
The word cake is of Viking origin, derived from the Norse word "kaka." The first cakes ever made are actually quite different from the ones we eat today. Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians were the first culture to exhibit baking skills, and during Ancient times the cakes were more bread-like in appearance and sweetened with honey. The ancient Greeks called cake "plakous," which was derived from the word for "flat." The simple ingredients include flour mixed with eggs, milk, nuts, and honey. They also had a cake called "satura," which was a flat heavy cake.
During the Roman period, the name for cake became "placenta," which was derived from the Greek term. A placenta was baked on a pastry base or inside a pastry case. The Greeks invented beer as a leavener, frying fritters in olive oil, and cheesecakes using goat's milk. In ancient Rome, the basic bread dough was sometimes enriched with butter, eggs, and honey, which produced a sweet and cake-like baked good. Latin poet Ovid refers to his and his brother's birthday party and cake in his first book of exile, Tristia.
Meanwhile in mid-17th century Europe, cakes were frequently baked as a result of advances in technology and access to ingredients. Europe is credited with the invention of modern cakes, which were round and topped with icing. Incidentally, the first icing was usually a boiled mixture of sugar, egg whites, and some flavorings. During this time, many cakes still contained dried fruits, like currants and citrons. Then, in the 19th century, cake, as we know it today, became more popular. However, the treat was considered a luxury as sweet ingredients like sugar and chocolate were very expensive.
During this time, cakes were baked with extra refined white flour and baking powder instead of yeast. Buttercream frostings also began replacing traditionally boiled icings. Also, thanks to the advancements in temperature controlled ovens, a baker's life became much easier. No longer did the bakers have to continually watch and wait for the cake to finish baking. Even more, the Industrial Revolution made ingredients more readily available, which made them cheaper, so more people could bake them or even buy them at the store.
National Cake Day Significance:
The main reason that cakes are loved very much today all over the world is because of its versatility. As cakes come in different shapes and sizes, and flavors! The options vary from chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, funfetti, and strawberry, to name a few. Not to mention the endless possibilities of frosting and filling! And because of this reason it can be adjusted according to everyone's taste and that's why today it is one of the most popular food item in our world today and cake is also known as a dish for special occasions or events and that is another major factor behind its popularity.
The most common ingredients for cakes include flour, sugar, eggs, fat (such as butter, oil or margarine), a liquid, and a leavening agent, such as baking soda or baking powder. Common additional ingredients include dried, candied, or fresh fruit, nuts, cocoa, and extracts such as vanilla, with numerous substitutions for the primary ingredients. Cakes can also be filled with fruit preserves, nuts or dessert sauces (like custard, jelly, cooked fruit, whipped cream or syrups), iced with buttercream or other icings, and decorated with marzipan, piped borders, or candied fruit.
Cakes are known for their fluffy, moist consistency. These traditional desserts deliver the perfect amount of sweetness (sugar), carbs, and butter, all the ingredients that make it so delicious and gives a very pleasant taste experience especially for special events. A cake is almost always covered in frosting and special decorations, which alone, is a cause for celebration. Any cake can have a traditional foundation that provides a canvas to get creative. There are even shows on TV which celebrate the art of cake decorating.
Cake is often served as a celebratory dish on ceremonial occasions, such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. There are countless cake recipes; some are bread-like, some are rich and elaborate, and many are centuries old. Cake making is no longer a complicated procedure; while at one time considerable labor went into cake making (particularly the whisking of egg foams), baking equipment and directions have been simplified so that even the most amateur of cooks may bake a cake and that's one of the reason why they are so popular today across world.
National Cake Day Celebrations:
Obviously, the best way to celebrate National Cake Day is by eating cake with family and friends. It is possible to buy a number of different types of cakes to celebrate the event. Many cafes and bakeries sell cake pieces by the slice, so it is also easy to try a few different flavors at once. So use this opportunity to enjoy some delicious cake!
Have fun making your own cakes at home to mark the occasion. There are many different kinds of cake to choose from. Yeast cakes are one of the oldest types and are pretty similar to bread in texture, due to the yeast content. So baking your own cake for this day is definitely a great option especially if you like challenges or cooking. Even if you are not good at cooking then also you don't have to worry much as there are many basic cake recipes easily available today.
You can also use this opportunity to offer cake to some of your known ones like your colleagues. As everyone loves a nice treat at work. Surprise your co-workers by bringing in a homemade or store-bought cake. When people ask what the occasion is, the answer is simple, "It's National Cake Day, duh!" So try to share your celebrations for this day with others as well to make it even more special.
Most Searched FAQs on National Cake Day:
1. When is National Cake Day celebrated?
National Cake Day is annually celebrated on November 26th in US.
2. Which is the most popular cake?
Chocolate cake is the most popular cake in the world.
3. Is eating cake good for you?
Besides milk and eggs, flour and sugar are the main ingredients in a cake, which are excellent sources of carbohydrates (which do provide your body, brain, and muscles with energy). As long as you don't overdo it, you will get a healthy boost of energy to help keep you awake.