National Raisin Bread Month – Nov. 1, 2026

National Raisin Bread Month
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National Raisin Bread Month invites us to celebrate this delightful baked good throughout November. Whether toasted with butter, served with cheese, or enjoyed plain, raisin bread offers a comforting sweetness. Bake a loaf from scratch, visit a local bakery, or share your favorite raisin bread recipes and traditions this month.

Want to sponsor National Raisin Bread Month? Learn how

Expected National Raisin Bread Month Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that bakeries and grocery stores often feature raisin bread deals throughout November. Look for special offers from major chains like Panera Bread, Great Harvest Bread Co., and local artisan bakeries. Grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger typically highlight their in-house baked goods, including various sweet breads. Specialty food stores like The Fresh Market may offer unique, gourmet raisin bread varieties. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November approaches.

Platform Guide for National Raisin Bread Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalRaisinBreadMonth. Share mouth-watering photos of your homemade loaves or favorite bakery finds.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalRaisinBreadMonth. Film a quick recipe tutorial or a taste test of different raisin bread brands.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalRaisinBreadMonth. Post about your family’s favorite raisin bread traditions or local bakeries.

Social Media Tips for National Raisin Bread Month

Individuals

Experiment with making your own raisin bread at home, trying different spice combinations or types of raisins. Share your baking journey and results online.

Creators

Develop content around unique raisin bread recipes, such as French toast bakes, bread puddings, or savory applications. Feature local bakeries that specialize in artisan loaves.

Brands

Run a month-long campaign highlighting your raisin bread products, offering special discounts, or hosting a recipe contest for customers to submit their creations.

Top Brands for National Raisin Bread Month

  1. Sun-Maid

    Founded in 1912 in California, Sun-Maid Growers of California is an agricultural cooperative best known for its raisins and dried fruits. They are a primary supplier of raisins used in baking, including raisin bread.

  2. King Arthur Baking Company

    Established in 1790 as a flour company, King Arthur Baking Company is America's oldest flour company. They offer a wide range of baking ingredients, recipes, and resources, making them a go-to for home bakers creating raisin bread.

  3. Pepperidge Farm

    Founded in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, Pepperidge Farm is an American commercial bakery known for its breads, cookies, and crackers. They produce a popular line of swirl breads, including cinnamon raisin bread, found in most grocery stores.

  4. Great Harvest Bread Co.

    Great Harvest Bread Co. is a chain of independently owned and operated bakeries founded in 1976. Known for baking fresh bread from scratch daily using whole grains, many locations feature a popular cinnamon chip or raisin swirl bread.

  5. Bob's Red Mill

    Founded by Bob Moore in 1978, Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods is an American brand of whole-grain foods, specializing in flours, oats, and baking mixes. Their high-quality flours are ideal for making homemade raisin bread.

  6. Cuisinart

    Cuisinart is an American home appliance brand founded in 1971, best known for its food processors. They also produce a wide range of kitchenware, including bread makers, which are popular tools for simplifying the process of baking raisin bread at home.

  7. Trader Joe's

    Founded in 1967 in Pasadena, California, Trader Joe's is a popular grocery chain known for its unique and affordable private-label products. They often feature seasonal baked goods, including various types of raisin bread and related items.

National Raisin Bread Month Hero

Margaret Rudkin

Margaret Rudkin (1897–1967) was the founder of Pepperidge Farm, a company she started in 1937 by baking whole wheat bread for her son who had allergies. Her dedication to quality ingredients and traditional baking methods led to a hugely successful brand that popularized many classic American baked goods, including various types of sweet and spiced breads like raisin bread. Her entrepreneurial spirit transformed a small home kitchen operation into a national food empire, making her an icon in the baking industry.

History of National Raisin Bread Month

Raisin bread has a long and illustrious history in the kitchen. Traditional antecedents of panettone include the stollen (a German fruit bread flavored with spices and candied fruits), the kulich (a tall Easter bread served in Russian and Slavic regions), and the panettone (an Italian tall, raisin-filled fruit cake). All of these fruit breads are enjoyed around the Christmas season and have subsequently extended to other parts of the world, such as England, where it has contributed to the rise in popularity of raisin bread. The treat quickly rose to prominence in areas of England and the provinces, eventually making its way to American homes as a common element of people’s breakfasts as the colonial era progressed.

However, according to Henry David Thoreau, a major legend has spread about the origins of this sweet and delectable bread, which has since been proven false. It is thought that the myth was hatched by a group of Concord housewives who were amused by Thoreau’s mischief.

This idea was furthered by a 1943 article in the “Ladies Home Journal,” which claimed that Thoreau was the inventor of the culinary creation. Fortunately, biographer Walter Harding was able to dispel the idea in the “Thoreau Society Bulletin,” stating that raisin bread, also known as plum cake at the time, was first made during the Elizabethan era, not the Renaissance.

National Raisin Bread Month timeline

1490 B.C.
The Discovery of Raisins

Even though it takes many hundred years before discovering which grape variety produces the greatest raisin, history texts indicate that raisins are sun-dried from grapes throughout this period.

1671
Raisin Bread Recipes

Recipes for bread with raisins are published in Concord, Massachusetts, according to local mythology and tradition.

1845
First Documented Use of Raisin Bread

An article in Blackwood’s “Edinburgh Magazine” has the first recorded use of the phrase ‘raisin bread,’ according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

1912
Founding of California Associated Raisin Company

The California Associated Raisin Company embarks on a century-long mission to disseminate the sweetness of raisins throughout the world.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Raisin Bread Month

Local bakeries can be the stars of National Raisin Bread Month by offering special artisan loaves, limited-time flavors like apple-cinnamon raisin bread, or even raisin bread pudding specials. Coffee shops could pair slices with unique coffee blends. Grocery stores can highlight their in-house bakeries with tasting stations and recipe cards. Restaurants might feature raisin bread as part of a breakfast special or a unique dessert item, encouraging customers to savor its comforting flavor.

National Raisin Bread Month FAQs

When is National Raisin Bread Month?

National Raisin Bread Month 2026 is observed throughout November, from Sunday, November 1, to Monday, November 30. It’s a perfect time to enjoy this sweet and spiced baked good.

How popular is raisin bread?

Raisin bread enjoys consistent popularity, especially as a breakfast item or snack. Data from the American Bakers Association indicates that specialty breads, including sweet varieties like raisin bread, continue to be a significant segment of the baked goods market, valued in the billions annually.

What are the health benefits of raisins?

Raisins are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like iron and potassium. They can aid digestion, contribute to heart health, and provide a quick energy boost, making raisin bread a more nutritious choice than some other sweet treats.

What is the origin of raisin bread?

Raisin bread has roots in various European baking traditions, where dried fruits were often added to doughs for sweetness and preservation. Its popularity grew significantly in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming a common household staple and a favorite for breakfast and tea time.

National Raisin Bread Month Activities

  1. Bake raisin bread

    What’s a better way to celebrate than by baking raisin bread? The delicious treat can be eaten at any time. Just try out one of the delicious recipes and have fun with it.

  2. Eat raisin bread

    Enjoy your raisin bread with some toppings. You can try butter, peanut butter, honey, and bananas to tantalize your taste buds.

  3. Share on social media

    Don’t keep your love for raisin bread to yourself. Share your recipes online using the hashtag #NationalRaisinBreadMonth to find fellow lovers of raisin bread and get people talking about it.

5 Recipes With Raisins

  1. Oatmeal raisin cookies

    This oatmeal raisin cookie recipe is soft, chewy, and tender, and it is a classic using a variety of raisins, including large plump golden raisins.

  2. Challah

    Light, fluffy, delicate, tender, croissant-like in texture, and exceedingly simple to produce, challah has become a favorite among many.

  3. Baked honey dinner rolls

    These dinner rolls are moist and soft with just enough crunch to sink your teeth into.

  4. English muffin bread with cinnamon raisins

    If you’ve never baked bread before, this recipe is a foolproof, no-knead recipe that’s excellent for the first-time bread maker.

  5. Oatmeal raisin roll

    The perfect combination of raisins and oats, these oatmeal raisin rolls are a satisfying snack or breakfast.

Why We Love National Raisin Bread Month

  1. It’s a delicious treat

    Raisin bread is a very delicious treat. It can be eaten at breakfast or as a dessert, making it a truly versatile treat.

  2. Ultimate nostalgia

    Raisin bread offers the ultimate nostalgia. The treat has been around for years, so it has been a favorite for a long time.

  3. Enjoy as a quick bite

    The great thing about raisin bread is that you can have it on the go. Cut a slice, toast, or butter it, and enjoy it as a quick bite for breakfast before you head out the door.

National Raisin Bread Month dates

Year Date Day
2026 November 1 Sunday
2027 November 1 Monday
2028 November 1 Wednesday
2029 November 1 Thursday
2030 November 1 Friday