Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

474 Shares
474 Shares
MonMar 4

National Pound Cake Day – March 4, 2024

National Pound Cake Day is observed annually on March 4 to celebrate the long history of pound cakes and encourage everyone to put their baking hats on and make them for their loved ones. Pound cakes refer to the type of cake traditionally made with one pound each of four ingredients: butter, eggs, flour, and sugar. It typically makes a much larger cake than most families could consume. On National Pound Cake Day, cake lovers around the world are encouraged to celebrate, bake and eat pound cakes with the people they care about. 

History of National Pound Cake Day

Every year, Americans and cake lovers around the world observe Pound Cake Day, one of the world’s most versatile cakes. The day is celebrated by bakers and cake lovers alike in a tradition that has lasted over a decade. 

In the U.S., pound cake is enjoyed by millions of people who add slight variations of ingredients to the traditional recipe, including vanilla or almond flavoring. Pound cakes are sometimes served with fresh fruit juice or flavored ice cream. For the most part, its sweet, moist, and dense but light taste is eaten plain. The pound cake appears to have originated first in Europe in the 18th century where it is believed that the first recipe to ever call for a pound’s weight of each of the ingredients for making a cake was first seen.

Although the traditional ingredients of the pound cake are well known, there are several variations available that are more often made in today’s America. Each has its distinctive style and recipe and includes the addition of several flavoring agents like vanilla, almond, orange, or lemon extract. Baking soda or baking powder is incorporated to induce leavening during baking to make a less dense pound cake. The cooking oil can also be substituted for butter to produce moisture, but some bakers believe it won’t add any difference to the taste than margarine, which is usually at least 50% cheaper. 

National Pound Cake Day timeline

1683
Frosting is Introduced

Covering cakes with powdered sugar or similar ingredients is introduced in the 17th century, with the earliest mention of the word 'icing' in 1683.

1796
First Appearance in a Cookbook

The first pound cake recipe is published in the 1796 cookbook "American Cookery."

1843
Baking Powder is Invented

The first single-acting baking powder is developed in England.

2018
A Song is Released in its Honor

The song titled “Pound Cake” by Bill Perkins is one of several songs to be released in honor of the cake.

National Pound Cake Day FAQs

What is pound cake called in the U.K.?

Pound cake. Although there’s a misconception that the name was coined from the British Pound Sterling, pound cake is called the same everywhere and is in fact not British at all. 

Is pound cake unhealthy?

It might be. Ingredients like butter, shortening, chocolate, and heavy cream make a cake taste yummy and delicious, but only in moderation. Traditional pound cake ingredients that require a pound of sugar may be unhealthy because of it.

Is pound cake better the next day?

Yes, pound cakes actually taste better the next day! No one knows why, it’s just a known truth, a bakers’ secret if you will. So, endeavor to make your pound cake a day before.

National Pound Cake Day Activities

  1. Bake a pound cake

    What better way to celebrate this yummy dessert than by making it. It is easy and comes with the benefit of a delicious dessert. There’s no reason not to bake one for yourself. It only takes one pound each of butter, sugar, and flour, topped off by half a dozen eggs. To begin, cream the butter, sugar, and eggs, one at a time, mixing well with each addition. Add the flour, baking soda, and flavoring, and continue to mix for 10 minutes before pouring the batter in a prepared pan and heating at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes.

  2. Host a pound cake bake-off

    Another way to celebrate National Pound Cake Day is to host a pound cake bake-off with friends. You can set the rules as strict or as loose as everyone likes, and select a judge or two to vote for the winner. To see how creative your group is, have everyone use the same recipe and see who in your group adds that extra touch of creativity to their cake.

  3. Spread awareness on social media

    Help others get involved! Share recipes and tantalizing pictures of your own pound cake to inspire them to bake one as a way to celebrate National Pound Cake Day. Use hashtags #NationalPoundCakeDay #PoundCake or #PoundCakeDay on your posts.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Pound Cakes

  1. The Mexican variation

    It's called 'panqué in Mexico and the recipe is very similar to the U.S. version.

  2. The French do it differently

    It is called 'quatre-quarts,' and uses four quarters of the same four ingredients without any kind of fruit.

  3. Germans have their own way too

    The 'Eischwerkuchen' is a German recipe that is very similar to the pound cake.

  4. Common amongst settlers

    According to Beth Tartan, a culinary researcher at the University of North Carolina, pound cake was one of the most common desserts among the American pioneers who settled in the state.

  5. Baking was once considered labor

    Not until the 20th century when baking equipment and directions became simplified, was baking a cake considered easy.

Why We Love National Pound Cake Day

  1. We get to eat delicious cakes

    Pound cakes are yummy. They are sweet, moist, and dense but rather light, and can be served with fresh fruit. However, they are just as tasty eaten plain and don’t need any frosting or glaze, not even powdered sugar dusting.

  2. We can get creative

    Something about baking a pound cake brings out the creativity in us with our choice of added ingredients. A fun option to consider is orange or lemon extract. We’ve seen people add fresh orange juice and orange zest to their flour mix too. Oh, delicious!

  3. It has a special taste

    Nothing beats the taste of a pound cake! If you’re new to the goodness of pound cakes, imagine what a battered mix of butter, sugar, and flour, topped off with eggs and baked at 350°F can do to your taste buds.

National Pound Cake Day dates

YearDateDay
2024March 4Monday
2025March 4Tuesday
2026March 4Wednesday
2027March 4Thursday
2028March 4Saturday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

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