- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- BakingCulturalDessert
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every November 13
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍮
National Indian Pudding Day arrives every November 13, inviting everyone to savor a taste of early American culinary history. This comforting, spiced cornmeal and molasses dessert, a staple in New England, offers a unique blend of sweet and savory flavors. Dive into its rich heritage, try a traditional recipe, or seek out a local eatery serving this beloved treat.
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Expected National Indian Pudding Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions, history shows that National Indian Pudding Day can inspire cozy, fall-themed dessert specials. Local bakeries and diners, particularly in New England, may offer limited-time Indian Pudding variations or discounts. Brands like King Arthur Baking Company might feature recipes, while specialty food retailers such as The Vermont Country Store could highlight ready-to-eat versions or ingredient kits. Grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s often stock seasonal baking ingredients like molasses and cornmeal, encouraging home bakers. Keep an eye on regional restaurants and dessert shops for unique takes on this classic. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 13 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Indian Pudding Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #IndianPuddingDay. Share your favorite Indian Pudding recipe, a taste test, or a fun historical fact about the dessert.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalIndianPuddingDay. Post beautiful photos of your homemade pudding, a cozy fall setting, or a visit to a New England diner serving the treat.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #IndianPudding. Ask your community to share their family’s Indian Pudding traditions or the best places to find it.
National Indian Pudding Day Hero
Fannie Farmer
History of National Indian Pudding Day
There is no confirmed origin of how and when this pudding was discovered and who discovered it. But what is certain, is that it was made by the local Indians of Northern America. It is the most native dessert we have — it has remained mostly unchanged since the time the native Indians used to make it.
Almost unknown outside New England, this dessert has been around for three centuries now. The name of the pudding may suggest that it refers to the Indians living there, but rather it was named after the cornmeal, known as ‘Indian meal’, calling it Indian Pudding.
Local food historians have mentioned in their books that back in 1621 when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the colonists, this dessert was made part of the main dishes on the menu. The dessert maintained its centuries-long hold over the pudding category until the 1920s and ’30s when chocolate suddenly arrived in the U.S. The recipes changed because people started shifting towards the sweeter and silkier versions of the pudding.
This pudding maintained its existence in New England, where it is still among the favorite puddings of the local people. Outside this area, comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, it is largely unknown. The holiday was never petitioned in the White House, but still, somehow this dessert ended up having a day for its own name. Each year, November 13 is celebrated in the U.S. as National Indian Pudding Day.
National Indian Pudding Day timeline
The local settlers in America crave the local Indian dessert and so is added to the main menu of the first Thanksgiving dinner.
In the late 1600s, the dessert is so popular that it is officially there in all the cookbooks.
The settlers in New England find an abundant supply of molasses, which adds a thicker and more flavor dimension to the pudding.
As chocolate and other flavors come pouring into the U.S. and new tastes develop, the pudding is lost to the public.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Indian Pudding Day
Local restaurants, especially those specializing in American comfort food or New England cuisine, can feature Indian Pudding as a seasonal dessert special. Bakeries can offer individual servings or take-home kits with all the necessary ingredients. Coffee shops might pair mini Indian Puddings with fall-themed beverages. Food bloggers and culinary schools can host workshops on making authentic Indian Pudding. Ingredient suppliers like cornmeal and molasses producers can run promotions or share recipes on their social media, encouraging home baking and celebrating this unique dessert.
National Indian Pudding Day FAQs
When is National Indian Pudding Day?
National Indian Pudding Day 2026 falls on Friday, November 13, offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy this comforting dessert as the weekend approaches.
What are the key ingredients in Indian Pudding?
Traditional Indian Pudding is primarily made from cornmeal, molasses, milk, and various spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. It’s often baked slowly to achieve a rich, creamy texture.
Is Indian Pudding served hot or cold?
Indian Pudding is traditionally served warm, often accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of fresh cream. Its warmth makes it a comforting dessert for cooler weather.
What is the origin of the name 'Indian Pudding'?
The ‘Indian’ in Indian Pudding refers to the use of cornmeal, which was a staple grain of Native Americans and a key ingredient introduced to early European settlers in New England. It was a variation of English hasty pudding.
National Indian Pudding Day Activities
Try it!
Be adventurous and add an old flavor profile to your pudding repertoire, serving it to some of your friends and family. Make an Indian pudding and share it, and decide if you all love it too
Document it
Make a short vlog or write a blog and share on social media what the above experience was like. If your children want to, let them share the vlog with their friends in class to spread awareness.
Read more
Make it a fun learning process — read about more traditions like this, and share with family and friends about whether you love or hate Indian Pudding. You could even host a MasterChef type of evening where traditional ingredients go into creating unique new recipes.
5 Facts About Indian Pudding Everyone Should Know
Rich sticky pudding
The Indian pudding is a bread-type of pudding that is similar to the cinnamon / spiced types of pies that Americans love.
It pairs well with cream or ice-cream
Foodies have revealed that the rich and savory flavor of the pudding blends perfectly with the softness and sweetness of the whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
It is less sweet than modern puddings
Because it contains less sugar than most modern puddings, it’s good for the waistline.
It was also called ‘hasty pudding’
Hasty pudding is a pudding of grains cooked in milk or water, specifically a version made primarily with ground (‘Indian’) corn.
Yankee Doodle mentions it
It is mentioned in the lyrics of ‘Yankee Doodle’, a traditional American song of the 18th century.
Why We Love National Indian Pudding Day
It’s our native dessert
It is a truly American dessert. That alone makes it worth trying!
The need to keep our old traditions alive
Sometimes it is good to be old-fashioned and keep the traditions alive. Where the new lifestyles and modern eating habits have ensured we stay on our toes, occasionally we deserve a break from this quick lifestyle and revert to following our traditions.
Giving a chance to have a rich, earthy, savory, dessert in the cold on November
Celebrating this day as National Indian Pudding Day gives us an excuse to prepare ourselves for the coming cold of the winter. This Indian pudding has all the ingredients in it to make a perfect delicacy for you to enjoy during mid-November when it's getting colder, and you need something earthy, savory, and rich to enjoy.
National Indian Pudding Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 13 | Friday |
| 2027 | November 13 | Saturday |
| 2028 | November 13 | Monday |
| 2029 | November 13 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | November 13 | Wednesday |
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