National Dessert Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Dessert Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October 14
Holiday emoji:: 🍰

National Dessert Day arrives every October 14, a delicious invitation to savor your favorite sweet treats. From rich cakes to creamy ice creams and decadent pastries, today is all about indulgence. Gather friends, bake something new, or visit a local bakery to embrace the joy of dessert.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Related
Stats

History of National Dessert Day

The term “dessert” originates from the French word desservir, which translates to the action “to clear the table.” This is because dessert is served after a main meal’s dishes have been cleared. However, the sweetness of dessert has existed long before there was a proper title for it. As an act of worship, ancient civilizations would offer dried fruits and honey to their gods. In Ancient Greece, a special sweet bread was made with nuts and honey to make an almost cake-like dish called plakous. It is believed the Ancient Greeks may have also invented pie, as Aristophanes mentions sweetmeats and pastries filled with fruit in his plays.

National Dessert Day timeline

776 BCE

Energy boosters

The Ancient Greeks are believed to have invented cheesecake as a sort of energy booster served to athletes during the Olympic games. Brides of the time would also cook and serve the sweet treat to their wedding guests.

1381

As American as apple pie

Though the common metaphor is used to describe the highlights of American culture, the first written recipe for apple pie came from England.

1645

A sweet mistake

French pastry apprentice Claudius Gele accidentally invented puff pastries after adding too much butter to his bread dough.

1700s

Sugary goodness

Protestant settlers in Pennsylvania created the sugar cookies we know and love today.

Desserts By The Numbers

2,520 square feet — the length of the world’s largest gingerbread house.

35.8 million — the number of calories in the length of the world’s largest gingerbread house.

9,000 pounds — the weight of the world’s biggest chocolate bar made in Armenia.

150,000 gallons — the amount of water mixed with chocolate and cream to create the chocolate river in the movie “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.”

2001 — the year when Jell-O was declared Utah’s official snack.

$700 million — the worth of the pies sold every year.

18 pounds — the amount of chocolate eaten by the average Swiss citizen.

2 hours 45 minutes — the waiting time for buying a cronut in 2013.

87,000 — the number of drink possibilities at Starbucks.

National Dessert Day FAQs

When is National Dessert Day?

National Dessert Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, October 14. It’s the perfect mid-week excuse to indulge your sweet tooth with your favorite treats.

What is the most popular dessert in America?

While preferences vary, ice cream consistently ranks as one of America’s most beloved desserts. Its versatility and wide array of flavors make it a perennial favorite for many.

How big is the dessert market?

The global dessert market is a significant industry, valued at approximately $150 billion in 2023, with projections for steady growth. This includes everything from baked goods to frozen treats and confectionery.

What is the difference between dessert and pudding?

Dessert is a broad category encompassing all sweet dishes served after a main meal, including cakes, pies, ice cream, and fruit. Pudding, on the other hand, is a specific type of dessert, typically soft, creamy, and often custard-like in texture.

National Dessert Day Activities

Go ahead, order the dessert
Usually when we go to a restaurant, we restrain ourselves from picking up the dessert menu. But today is a national holiday! Don't be afraid to conquer that chocolate lava cake a la mode style!
Bake your favorite cake
Whether from scratch or from a box, cakes always taste better when they rise in your own oven. That is, if you don't accidentally eat all the cake batter beforehand. Save us the spoon!
Throw a pastry party
Warm, flaky, baked goods are best enjoyed with friends. Have everyone bring their favorite pastry, sit around the table, and strike a harmonious "yum!"

5 Facts About Your Favorite Desserts

Made with love
Girl Scout cookies were originally homemade.
A common misconception
Boston cream pie is actually a cake.
The origins of the word ‘dessert’
‘Dessert’ originates from the French word desservir, meaning “to clear the table.”
McDonald’s serves at weddings
In Hong Kong, McDonald’s creates customized wedding cakes made from their Apple Pie.
A fruit like no other
Black sapote is a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding.

Why We Love National Dessert Day

Endless flavors
Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and cream cheese frosting! No matter what you like, there’s a special type of dessert dedicated to your tastebuds!
It’s happiness in every bite
Sugar is scientifically proven to aid you through breakups, heartaches, and any case of the blues. When your mouth is happy, you're happy too!
A treat for all seasons
During summertime, you can cool off with a delicious ice cream or frozen yoghurt. In the winter, pour that hot fudge on your crepe to make the ultimate warm and filling dessert!