On October 14th, Let Everyone Eat Cake!
Are you one of those who takes a look at the desserts first when you go to a buffet or potluck? Do you tend to nibble at the appetizers and main course, so that you can save room for a sweet treat? Get ready to enjoy dessert all day!! Monday, October 14 has been designated as “National Dessert Day,” an opportunity to savor cakes, cookies, pies and other confections. You don’t want to miss it.
The History of Dessert
It may come as no surprise that the word “dessert” comes from the French “desservir,” which literally means “clear the table.” After all, the French invented some of the most delectable pastries and other after-dinner treats, including macarons, eclairs, crepes, souffle and madeleines. But the French were not the first to end a meal with something sweet. The Greek playwright Aristophanes refers to fruit-filled pastries in his plays, lending credence to the belief that the ancient Greeks created the first pie. Historians also note that, in many ancient civilizations, every meal included an offering of dried fruit and honey to the gods.
It’s unclear how National Dessert Day came into being, but it’s been celebrated in the United States for more than a century.
Some Fun Facts about Desserts
Do you love chocolate chip cookies? Bet you didn’t know that they didn’t exist before 1938? In fact, chocolate chips were not commercially available before then. Ruth Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn, was making a batch of cookies that year when she discovered that she didn’t have any cocoa powder. She chopped up some chocolate bars and put them in her cookie batter and the rest is history.
Who hasn’t had German chocolate cake? Did you know that it has nothing to do with Bavaria? It was invented by an American baker named Samuel German.
Is Boston cream pie your favorite pie? Sorry, but it can’t be…it’s not a pie, it’s a cake!
Try One of These Unusual Desserts This Year
Are you an adventurous eater? Here are some unique desserts from around the world to experiment with on National Dessert Day this year:
- Veriohukainen—A delicacy from Finland, made with flour, eggs, pigs blood and pilsener beer
- Chocolate rice pudding served with salty dried fish, popular in the Philippines
- Lilac strawberry galette, made with lilac sugar
- Summer squash pound cake
- Black bean brownies
- Green tomato pie (which tastes very much like apple pie)
