International Cake Day
About International Cake Day
When is International Cake Day? This holiday is always observed on November 26
Is your sweet tooth acting up? That’s no surprise, as today is International Cake Day. On this November 26 holiday, there’s no doubt what to make to satisfy your sweet tooth on this sweet and delicious food holiday. The most common ingredients are flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and water. But, that’s where commonality abruptly ends. There are countless ingredients and flavorings you can add to the batter. After it bakes and cools, comes the fun part as you add your favorite flavor of frosting and decorate it. Decorating them opens up a whole world of possibilities. This is where a creative baker uses his or her ingenuity to create an artful masterpiece.
There is some confusion about the title of this day. It is called World, International, National, or simply Cake Day. Our research discovered that the vast majority of references refer to it as an international holiday. However, it doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you enjoy a few slices of cake today.
As you celebrate this delicious holiday, we hope you have our cake and eat it, too, And of course, don’t forget the candles!
The History of Cake
Almost all ancient cultures developed a form of cake. Among them are ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Chinese, and Norse cultures. It is believed the Egyptians were the first to make them at least three thousand years ago. The Chinese make a special “Mooncake”. China holds an annual Chinese Moon Festival or Mid-autumn festival where mooncakes play a prominent role in the celebrations. The word “Cake” evolved from the Viking Old Norse word “Kaka” around 1200 – 1300. When the pilgrims arrived in the New World, they found Native Americans making baked maize cakes called “appone” or “ponop”. They made them with ground corn, water, and salt. Modern cakes date back to the 1700s.
Over time, cakes became associated with a wide variety of ceremonies and celebrations. We enjoy them at weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. We bake them to celebrate important events, milestones, and accomplishments. And, of course they are so good, we make them any day of the year just because they taste so good. That’s no surprise, as there are endless flavors, and a wide variety of frostings. And, perhaps what makes them look and taste so great, is how we decorate them.
International Cake Day Trivia
Do you want to amaze your friends? Here are some great facts and trivia.
- Baking time and temperature varies widely from one recipe to the next. It ranges from 30 minutes to an hour.
- You can freeze them for up to two months. When defrosted, they taste as fresh as the day you baked them. Also, refrigerating leftover extends the shelf life.
- On January 15, 2020, the Bakers Association Kerala in Thrissur, Kerala, India created the world’s longest cake. It measured 17,388 feet! An eager and hungry crowd of onlookers consumed it in just 10 minutes.
- On December 8, 2008, the Hakasima-Nilasari Culinary School for the event Amazing Christmas in Senayan City, Jakarta, Indonesia made the world’s tallest cake. It measured 108.27 feet (33 meters).
- In 1989, a team of over 500 people from Fort Pane, Alabama baked the world’s heaviest cake. It weighed 128, 238 pounds. It measured over 128 feet long. It was cut and sold by the slice as a fundraiser. The proceeds went to the city’s hospital.
- Ancient Greeks made a round cake and lit a candle on top for Artemis, the goddess of the moon. They believed smoke from the candle carried their prayers up to Artemis.
- In 2018 Joe Chestnut, a competitive eater, consumed a 12-inch cake in a world record 32.91 seconds.
- Designer Debbie Wingham created the world’s most expensive cake. It cost $35 million dollars. It had 4,000 real diamonds. In addition, it had intricately detailed, edible decorations.
- During World War II, food coloring was scarce. Beetroots were used to color red velvet cake.
- In 1966, boxed cakes hit the grocery store.
How to Celebrate International Cake Day
Certainly, International Cake Day is destined to be a fun day. However, we caution you to put aside your calorie counter for the day. Here are some ways to enjoy International, World, and National Cake Day:
- First and foremost, eat cake! Have a piece, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And, don’t forget to have a slice at snack time.
- Home bakers, this is your kind of holiday. Make one using a recipe you’ve never made before.
- Hold a cake decorating party. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the holiday. Offer prizes, too.
- Go to a bakery.
- Organizations can hold a bake sale.
- Bakeries can put them on sale.
- Restaurants are encouraged to run a dessert special on them.
Today's Quotes
“Let them eat cake!” – – Marie Antoinette
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too!” – – An old English proverb
History and Origin of International Cake Day
We have not identified the creators of World, International, and National Cake Day. We found one reference stating that International Cake Day dates back to the late 1800s. Because the reference appears reputable, the international celebration is by far the oldest of these three holidays. We traced National Cake Day back to 2005. Although, it is not an official “National” holiday. And, the earliest documentation for World Cake Day we found was in 2020. We believe it evolved from International Cake Day. Despite our extensive research, we did not find the creator of any of these holidays.
Also, it is not known why this holiday is a November 26 holiday.
We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a true “National” day. There are no congressional records or presidential proclamation for this holiday.
Definition of “National” Days – Learn why it is important to identify and distinguish true National days.
This Day in History
In addition to today’s holiday, here are some things that happened on this day:
- At the request of both houses of Congress, President George Washington proclaims Thanksgiving Day. It is the first official U.S. holiday. (1789)
- Dr Vijaypat Singhania from India earns the Guinness World Book of Records for the highest altitude. He rode a balloon to a height of 68,986 feet. (2005)
- Cartoonist Charles Schulz, creator of “Peanuts” was born on this day in (1922)
More November 26 Holidays
In addition to International Cake Day, here is another November 26 holiday for you to enjoy:
Shopping Reminder Day Of course, you don’t need a holiday to remind you to go holiday shopping, do you!?
Related Holidays
If you like International Cake Day, then you will also like the many related holidays. So, if you want your cake and eat it too, here are some more cake holidays you will enjoy:
More About Today
Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Cheese Bread
Plant of the Day: African Violet
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for International Cake Day or just about any November calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Without a doubt, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Holiday Insights, where every day in November is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Therefore, please join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Moreover, in addition to International Cake Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. November holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.
