National Cake Day

When it comes to holidays, today takes the cake! Literally! If your taste buds are screaming for a sweet treat to eat, go grab your fork. Nov. 26 is National Cake Day in the U.S.A. While the origins are unknown, this annual food holiday celebrates one of America's most beloved desserts.

The first cakes, which were more like bread, go way, way back. Early cakes were unleavened bread which were often sweetened with fruit, nuts and honey. The word “cake” is derived from the Old Norse word “kaka,” which means baked flour confection. In the mid-17th century, many people enjoyed their cake with a nice glass of wine or tea. When baking powder was “invented” in the 1840s, cake baking became much easier.

Whether you prefer chocolate, angel food, devil’s food, red velvet, lemon chiffon, pineapple upside-down or carrot, today’s cakes are available in a wide variety of delicious flavors. And besides being moist and tasty, modern-day cakes are also available in different sizes and shapes, too. When you stop to think about it, cake plays a part of most of our lives. Cake is often front-and-center during pivotal moments in our lives – our birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, showers, retirement and everywhere in-between.

Happy National Cake Day!