National Cherry Turnover Day – Aug. 28, 2026

National Cherry Turnover Day
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BakingDessertFruit
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United States
Date change rule:
Every August 28
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National Cherry Turnover Day celebrates this delightful dessert every August 28. Enjoy the flaky pastry and sweet cherry filling as a perfect summer treat. Bake a batch, share with friends, or find your favorite local bakery’s offering.

Want to sponsor National Cherry Turnover Day? Learn how

Expected National Cherry Turnover Day Deals

As National Cherry Turnover Day approaches, expect local bakeries and cafes to feature special promotions on their turnovers. Major grocery chains like Kroger and Safeway often highlight baking ingredients, including puff pastry from Pepperidge Farm and canned cherry fillings from brands like Duncan Hines or Comstock. Keep an eye out for discounts on fresh or frozen cherries at stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 28 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Cherry Turnover Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #CherryTurnoverDay. Film a quick tutorial on making homemade turnovers or a taste-test of different varieties.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalCherryTurnoverDay. Share mouth-watering photos of your cherry turnovers, from baking process to the finished product.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CherryTurnover. Ask your followers to share their favorite cherry turnover recipes or memories.

Social Media Tips for National Cherry Turnover Day

Individuals

Whip up a batch of cherry turnovers using your favorite recipe, or visit a local bakery to pick up this delicious treat. Share your experience with friends and family.

Creators

Create a video showcasing a unique cherry turnover recipe, perhaps a healthier version or one with a twist. Engage your audience with polls on their preferred pastry fillings.

Brands

Run a 'Best Cherry Turnover' contest, inviting customers to submit their creations. Partner with a local bakery to offer a special discount on cherry turnovers for the day.

Top Brands for National Cherry Turnover Day

  1. Pillsbury

    Founded in 1869 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pillsbury is a leading brand in baking products. They offer a variety of doughs, including puff pastry and crescent rolls, perfect for making quick and easy cherry turnovers at home.

  2. Smucker's

    The J.M. Smucker Company, established in 1897 in Orrville, Ohio, is renowned for its fruit spreads and fillings. Their cherry fruit filling is a convenient and flavorful option for homemade cherry turnovers.

  3. King Arthur Baking Company

    Established in 1790 in Boston, Massachusetts, King Arthur Baking Company is America's oldest flour company. They provide high-quality flours and baking ingredients, essential for crafting perfect puff pastry from scratch.

  4. Oregon Fruit Products

    Founded in 1935 in Salem, Oregon, Oregon Fruit Products specializes in canned fruits and fruit fillings. Their tart red cherries are a popular choice for bakers seeking authentic fruit flavor in their turnovers.

  5. Starbucks

    Founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks is the world's largest coffeehouse chain. While known for coffee, they often feature a rotating selection of pastries, and cherry turnovers sometimes appear as a seasonal offering.

  6. Betty Crocker

    A fictional persona created in 1921 by General Mills, Betty Crocker is a household name for baking mixes and recipes. Their pie crust mixes and dessert guides can inspire many variations of cherry turnovers.

  7. Dole Food Company

    Founded in 1851 in Hawaii, Dole Food Company is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of fresh fruit and vegetables. Their fresh cherries are a seasonal delight, ideal for making turnovers from scratch during harvest season.

National Cherry Turnover 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 a master of elaborate pastry and confectionery, laying foundational techniques for puff pastry and other baked goods that make turnovers possible today.

History of National Cherry Turnover Day

Turnovers actually date back to ancient times and used to be called “portable pies.” Cherry turnovers are typically made with puff pastry dough and it is prepared in such a way that the dough is light and flaky. Extra fat is added to the dough to achieve this. The cherry filling is then graciously spread on a rolled-out puff pastry. During this step, many people choose to even improvise and add their own toppings. Once this step is achieved, you can fold the seams together to make a pouch and then go ahead and bake them.

Cherries have in fact been a preferred food item for centuries and were even liked by Roman conquerors, Greeks, and Chinese noblemen. Domestic cherries became widespread throughout Europe and Britain during the 15th century. Then in the 1600s, English colonists brought cherries to North America by ship. After that, it was the French colonists from Normandy who brought pits that they planted along the Saint Lawrence River. It was in the mid-1800s that we began to see modern-day cherry production. Now, the U.S. produces more than 650 million pounds of tart and sweet cherries annually with a majority of it coming from Michigan.

National Cherry Turnover Day is the perfect excuse to dig into this scrumptious dessert and join in on the celebrations. Either bake one or buy one or simply go out for one, but get yourself a Cherry Turnover on this day and use social media as well to spread the love.

National Cherry Turnover Day timeline

72 B.C.
Cultivated Cherry is Brought to Rome

Lucius Licinius Lucullus brings a cultivated cherry to Rome from northeastern Anatolia.

1600s
Cherries in North America

English colonists bring cherries to North America.

1850s
Modern Day Cherry Production

Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary, plants cherry trees at Old Mission Peninsula, paving the way for modern-day cherry production.

1893
Cherry Orchards

The first commercial tart cherry orchards are planted in Michigan on Ridgewood Farm.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Cherry Turnover Day

Local bakeries and cafes can celebrate National Cherry Turnover Day by offering special discounts or limited-time cherry turnover flavors. Restaurants can feature a cherry turnover dessert on their menu, perhaps with a unique twist like a spiced cherry filling or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Grocery stores can create eye-catching displays of baking ingredients for turnovers, including fresh cherries, puff pastry, and pie filling, encouraging home bakers to participate.

National Cherry Turnover Day FAQs

When is National Cherry Turnover Day?

National Cherry Turnover Day in 2026 falls on Friday, August 28, offering a sweet start to the weekend. It’s the perfect occasion to indulge in this classic pastry.

How many cherries are consumed annually?

Americans consume approximately 300 million pounds of cherries each year, with a significant portion enjoyed during the summer months when they are in season, making August 28 a fitting day for cherry-filled treats.

What is the origin of turnovers?

Turnovers, a type of baked pastry, have a long history, with variations found in many cultures across Europe and Asia. Their exact origin is debated, but they evolved as a practical way to enclose fruit or savory fillings in dough.

What is the difference between a turnover and a hand pie?

While often used interchangeably, a turnover typically refers to a pastry made with puff pastry or flaky dough, folded over a filling into a triangular or rectangular shape. A hand pie, by contrast, can use various doughs, including traditional pie crust, and is often crimped to seal.

How To Celebrate National Cherry Turnover Day

  1. Make a Cherry Turnover

    Cherry turnovers are not at all complicated to make and even beginners can perfect this dish. The ingredients are also easily available at grocery stores and there are so many recipes online to help you make your own cherry turnover. Try your hand at making one on National Cherry Turnover Day.

  2. Pick up a Cherry Turnover from a shop

    Many dessert brands make cherry turnovers and these can even be found in local stores. Head out to a nearby store and buy yourself a cherry turnover to celebrate this day.

  3. Pack a Cherry Turnover for work

    The best part about a cherry turnover is that it can be eaten for any meal of the day. On this day, pack a cherry turnover for work and eat it as breakfast, or a post-lunch dessert, or a mid-evening snack. You can even distribute some among your colleagues and share the love.

5 Facts About Cherries That You Must Know

  1. Antioxidant levels

    As compared to lighter cherries, darker cherries have higher levels of antioxidants.

  2. Cherry production

    A commercially grown cherry tree will produce 7000 cherries on average each year.

  3. Michigan cherries

    In the U.S., over 75% of the cherries sold actually come from the state of Michigan.

  4. Species of cherries

    There are broadly two types of cherries which are the sweet cherry or wild cherry and the sour cherry.

  5. Frozen cherries

    Frozen cherries tend to concentrate and improve their taste.

Why We Love National National Cherry Turnover Day

  1. They’re a light dessert

    Cherry turnovers are not too heavy on the stomach and can even be eaten as a snack. They are super versatile and can even have multiple variations in the recipe. They make the perfect accompaniment for any outdoorsy trip.

  2. Cherries are healthy

    Cherries, which are one of the main ingredients of this dessert, are extremely healthy. They come packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. They are also low in calories and have great levels of antioxidants.

  3. It’s a fun food holiday

    Who does not like another opportunity to indulge in some tasty food? Cherry turnovers are delicious and loved by many across the world, especially in the United States.

National Cherry Turnover Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 August 28 Friday
2027 August 28 Saturday
2028 August 28 Monday
2029 August 28 Tuesday
2030 August 28 Wednesday