Eat an Extra Dessert Day – September 4, 2026

Eat an Extra Dessert Day
Categories:
Tags:
BakingDessertSweet Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every September 4
Holiday emoji:
🍰

Eat an Extra Dessert Day, celebrated every September 4, is your official permission slip to indulge in an additional sweet treat. Forget the rules and embrace pure sugary bliss, whether it’s a second slice of cake or an extra scoop of ice cream. So go ahead, treat yourself, share with friends, and savor every delicious bite!

Want to sponsor Eat an Extra Dessert Day? Learn how

Expected Eat an Extra Dessert Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that Eat an Extra Dessert Day often brings sweet deals from national chains and local bakeries. Expect special offers from places like Baskin-Robbins with discounted scoops, Dairy Queen offering BOGO Blizzards, and Crumbl Cookies unveiling a new indulgent flavor. Doughnut shops like Krispy Kreme may feature limited-time extra-large treats, while local patisseries might offer discounts on their most decadent cakes and pastries. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 4 approaches.

Platform Guide for Eat an Extra Dessert Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #EatAnExtraDessertDay. Share visually stunning photos or reels of your indulgent dessert choices.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #EatAnExtraDessertDay. Film a quick video reviewing multiple desserts or a fun ‘dessert challenge.’

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #EatAnExtraDessertDay. Ask friends for their favorite local dessert spots and share your own recommendations.

Social Media Tips for Eat an Extra Dessert Day

Individuals

Give yourself permission to enjoy that extra slice of pie or second scoop of ice cream without guilt. Share your sweet indulgence with friends and family, or simply savor it yourself!

Creators

Create content around unique dessert pairings, a 'dessert crawl' featuring several local spots, or a tutorial for an over-the-top homemade sweet treat. Encourage followers to share their own extra desserts.

Brands

Offer a 'buy one, get one free' deal on a dessert item, a special discount for an extra serving, or launch a limited-edition super-sized sweet treat. Encourage customers to share their indulgence using a branded hashtag.

Top Brands for Eat an Extra Dessert Day

  1. Baskin-Robbins

    Founded in 1945 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins, this iconic ice cream chain is known for its '31 flavors,' one for every day of the month. They offer a wide array of scoops, sundaes, and cakes perfect for an extra indulgence.

  2. Dairy Queen

    Established in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, Dairy Queen is famous for its soft-serve ice cream and signature Blizzards. With locations worldwide, it's a go-to spot for a quick and satisfying dessert fix, especially on a day dedicated to extra treats.

  3. Crumbl Cookies

    Launched in 2017 in Logan, Utah, Crumbl Cookies quickly gained popularity for its rotating weekly menu of gourmet cookies. Their large, decadent cookies are designed for sharing (or for enjoying an extra one yourself!), making them a perfect fit for this sweet holiday.

  4. Krispy Kreme

    Founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Krispy Kreme is beloved for its original glazed doughnuts. The brand has expanded globally, offering a variety of doughnuts and coffee, ideal for an extra sweet start or end to your day.

  5. Magnolia Bakery

    Opened in 1996 in New York City's West Village, Magnolia Bakery is renowned for its classic American desserts, especially its cupcakes and banana pudding. It has become a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its nostalgic, handcrafted treats.

  6. Godiva

    Founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1926 by Pierre Draps, Godiva is a premium chocolatier known for its luxurious truffles, pralines, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Their exquisite confections are perfect for a sophisticated extra dessert.

  7. Nestlé

    Established in 1866 in Vevey, Switzerland, by Henri Nestlé, this global food and beverage giant produces a vast range of products, including many dessert ingredients like chocolate, milk, and baking mixes. Nestlé plays a role in countless homemade and store-bought sweet treats.

Eat an Extra Dessert Day Hero

Marie-Antoine Carême

Marie-Antoine Carême (1784–1833) was a celebrated French chef and one of the earliest exponents of grande cuisine. Known as 'the king of chefs and the chef of kings,' he was particularly famous for his elaborate and architectural pastry creations, including pièces montées. Carême's innovations in patisserie laid much of the groundwork for modern dessert artistry, making him a fitting figure to celebrate on a day dedicated to extra sweet indulgence.

History of Eat an Extra Dessert Day

We wish we knew who the creator of this delightfully sweet holiday was so we can thank them and give them a huge slice of cake. Unfortunately, the origins of this day are lost in time, but we can make up for it by enjoying the range of desserts on offer. For many, dessert is a much-anticipated highlight and a meal without some kind of mouthwatering finale seems incomplete. Some items are typical of the dessert menu. Cakes, pies, cookies, and ice cream are customarily served at the end of a meal, but if you plan on having sweet food any time of the day, then anything sweet will do.

The term dessert stems from the French word ‘desservir,’ meaning ‘to clear the table.’ After the main meal the table is cleared of used dishes and dessert is then served.

Sweet food items have been around forever and it is not clear which was the first dessert, but ice cream dates back to 3000 B.C. and is a possibility. The evolution of the dessert was propelled by the use of fruit and sugar. Sugar was used in India before 500 B.C., from where it made its way to China and Macedonia over the next 1,000 years. By the 12th century, the sugar trade expanded to Europe and dessert production rocketed after the Industrial Revolution when preservatives and the processing of food changed for the better.

Today, recipe development has reached new heights and there is a variety of interesting ingredients available. Visual presentation and colorful garnishing have become popular and important factors in raising baking and dessert making into a culinary art form.

Eat an Extra Dessert Day timeline

1381
Apple of Your Eye

The first recipe for apple pie is printed.

1400
Spice is Nice

Gingerbread is created by soaking breadcrumbs in spices and coating them with honey.

1700
Sweet Creams

Topped with chocolate and filled with cream, cream puff pastry evolves gradually over several decades.

1740
Small Wonders

Early cupcake recipes are recorded by this time.

1800s
Lemon Heaven

Lemon and meringue custard are popular, and the pie form is created during this time.

Eat an Extra Dessert Day FAQs

When is Eat an Extra Dessert Day?

Eat an Extra Dessert Day 2026 falls on Friday, September 4, offering the perfect opportunity to kick off the weekend with a sweet treat (or two!).

How much dessert do Americans eat?

Americans consume a significant amount of dessert, with studies suggesting that a large percentage enjoy dessert multiple times a week. On average, many households include dessert as a regular part of their diet, often opting for ice cream, cookies, or cake.

What are the most popular desserts?

The most popular desserts in America consistently include ice cream, cookies (especially chocolate chip), brownies, and apple pie. These classic treats often top the list due to their widespread appeal and nostalgic value, making them go-to choices for an extra indulgence.

What is the origin of Eat an Extra Dessert Day?

The exact origins of Eat an Extra Dessert Day are somewhat obscure, but it emerged as a fun, unofficial holiday encouraging people to set aside dietary restrictions for a day. It’s a modern observance designed purely for the joy of indulgence.

Eat an Extra Dessert Day Activities

  1. Indulge yourself

    Indulge in extra dessert today, and tell everyone else about this sweet holiday too. Post images online of the ones you try.

  2. Make dessert

    Spend time in the kitchen today whipping up some delicious desserts for your friends and family. Be generous. Make something special to give to your neighbor, or donate it to a care home or the elderly.

  3. Host a dessert party

    If you don’t want to prepare dessert, host a dessert party and ask someone to bring their favorite dessert. Play a taste-guessing game or have a friendly competition.

5 Facts About Desserts You Can Sink Your Teeth In

  1. Which came first?

    Chocolate chips were invented after chocolate chip cookies.

  2. The German chocolate cake is not German

    The word ‘German’ refers to Samuel German who worked at an American chocolate factory and developed a new kind of chocolate.

  3. Baked Alaska has a historical event

    Baked Alaska was named after Alaska’s annexation.

  4. The largest gingerbread house

    The world’s largest gingerbread house was 2,520 square feet in size and contained 35.8 million calories.

  5. Girl Scout cookies

    Girl Scout cookies were originally homemade.

Why We Love Eat an Extra Dessert Day

  1. You can indulge your sweet tooth

    Indulge in your favorite desserts guilt-free. It doesn’t get better than this. We can always go back to our diets tomorrow.

  2. Endless things to try

    The world of sugary delights is vast, and we love it. Chocolates, pastries, cakes, cookies, we can go on.

  3. Dessert helpings

    No one is going to judge us today for having extra dessert. Not even that aunt who is notorious for making subtle jabs.

Eat an Extra Dessert Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 September 4 Friday
2027 September 4 Saturday
2028 September 4 Monday
2029 September 4 Tuesday
2030 September 4 Wednesday