Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

4K Shares
4K Shares
SunDec 8

National Brownie Day – December 8, 2024

National Brownie Day is on December 8. Every year brownie lovers come from far and wide to celebrate National Brownie Day. Warm, chewy, and rich, a nice chocolate (or blondie) brownie is the perfect dessert to end your night with. Indulge in gooey goodness and let the real world melt away with you for a delectable moment.

History of National Brownie Day

Legend has it that the creation of brownies hales from the Palmer House Hotel in 1893. Bertha Palmer, a prominent Chicago socialite whose husband owed the hotel, asked a pastry chef for a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. She requested a cake-like delicacy small enough to be included in boxed lunches. The result was the Palmer House Brownie with walnuts and an apricot glaze. The modern Palmer House Hotel serves a dessert to patrons made from the same recipe. The name was given to the dessert sometime after 1893, but was not used by cook books or journals at the time.

By 1907 the brownie was well established in a recognizable form, appearing in Lowney’s Cook Book by Maria Willet Howard as an adaptation of the Boston Cooking School recipe for a “Bangor Brownie”. It added an extra egg and an additional square of chocolate, creating a richer dessert. The name “Bangor Brownie” derives from the town of Bangor, Maine, which legend states was the hometown of a housewife who created the original brownie recipe. Maine food educator and columnist Mildred Brown Schrumpf was the predominant  proponent of the theory that brownies were invented in Bangor. While “The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink” refuted Schrumpf’s premise that “Bangor housewives” created the brownie, “The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America” said it had discovered evidence to support Schrumpf’s claim, in the form of several 1904 cookbooks that included a recipe for “Bangor Brownies.”

National Brownie Day timeline

1893
A sweet confection

The Palmer House Hotel created the Palmer House Brownie with walnuts and an apricot glaze

1904
"Bangor Brownies"

Closer to the brownies we know and love today, Bangor Brownies were invented by housewives in Bangor, Maine.

1914
Brownie Scouts

The Girl Scout Brownies group, originally called Rosebuds, was organized in 1914 by Lord Baden-Powell.

1921
Betty Crocker, an early chatbot?

The Washburn Crosby Company created the character Betty Crocker to answer thousands of customer questions about baking.

National Brownie Day Stats

2 billion brownies
Are we surprised? Definitely not. Brownies can be consumed on any occasion, and making these bad boys at home is only part of the fun. 1988 knew what they were doing when they gobbled down 2 billion of these tasty treats, and with so many ways to customize and create your “perfect brownie”, there’s endless ways to enjoy it without getting tired of the chocolatey goodness!
60% of people go nutless
Whether it be a nut allergy, an aversion to nuts, or simply being a brownie purest, 60% of brownie lovers prefer their brownies nut free. The magical thing about brownies is no matter how you eat them, they’re always delicious. So if you like it purely gooey and chewy, or if you prefer a little crunch in your munch, you’re doing the right thing already just by eating a brownie. The only way you can be wrong is by not liking brownies at all! But those people don’t exist…right?
36% of love those corners
 
A little resistance in your brownie doesn’t hurt, and what better way to get that magical texture than by biting into a deliciously baked end piece? Of course, we don’t want the entire brownie to have that texture, there is such thing as too much of a good thing. But saving that small bit of something special for the end of your brownie consumption is definitely the way to go!

National Brownie Day FAQs

Is there a National Brownie Day?

There is indeed! National Brownie Day is celebrated annually on December 8. We hope you like chocolate!
 

What day is International Cake Day?

National Cake Day comes around every year on November 26! Sure, you can eat cake every day (though you probably shouldn’t), but on this day give yourself an extra slice! It’s a celebration! 
 

Is everyday a national something day?

It appears so! And it’s our job to connect the world through everyday celebrations. Be sure to check the website daily and follow us on social media to stay on top of all of the daily holidays! 
 

National Brownie Day Activities

  1. Stuff your face

    Obviously that would be our go-to choice. In all honesty, what else would you expect for a day dedicated to something as amazing as this? Take the day to try new kinds of brownies that you've never tasted, and don't forget to bring milk!

  2. Share your brownies

    Spread the word that today is National Brownie day by posting your best pictures on social media. Inspire your followers to get out there and try new brownies for themselves.

  3. Brownie bar

    As mentioned above, there are a variety of brownie recipes our there. Invite your pals over for a night of brownie taste testing. Supply a brownie bar of different kinds. We recommend double fudge, Oreo, mint, walnut and caramel brownies.

Why We Love National Brownie Day

  1. They're delicious!

    Ding ding ding! Vanna, show them what they've won! Brownies are rich in flavor and definitely a guilty pleasure of ours. No matter hot or cold, they are delicious. Don't believe us? We dare you to tell us otherwise.

  2. They are fun to make

    Watch me whip, watch me bake, bake! Aren't baking brownies a blast? Always remember, that preparation is key. Pick your favorite ingredients and use some of the amazing recipes below in the content section!

  3. They make you happy

    Think about those movie scenes of dealing with break ups by eating chocolate. Why do you think that is? It's because they make you happy! And, ya know, release the mood enhancing chemical, serotonin. So don't cheat yourself, treat yourself to some delicious brownies!

National Brownie Day dates

YearDateDay
2024December 8Sunday
2025December 8Monday
2026December 8Tuesday
2027December 8Wednesday
2028December 8Friday

Let’s get social

Here are some special hashtags for the day.

#NationalBrownieDay #Brownies #Dessert #SweetTreats

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.