NATIONAL CAKE DAY
On November 26th, National Cake Day delivers a scrumptious treat for everyone to enjoy! Slide over pie, this day cake takes center stage as the dessert of choice. On most birthdays, the cake is topped with candles no matter their age. Showers, weddings, retirements and anniversaries, cake serves up a slice or two. Add ice cream, and you have America’s top favorite desserts in the same dish!
Whether it’s a shapely bundt cake (celebrated on November 15) or the less curvaceous sheet cake, these sweet layered, frosting-covered, or fondant-decorated works of art scream celebration! Made from scratch, a box or picked up from the bakery, a cake sends a sweet message. They also come in many combinations and flavors, too.
No one can know how many. There are countless cake recipes. Some are even bread-like, others rich and elaborate, and many still are centuries old. Of Viking origin, the word cake is derived from Old Norse “kaka.” At that time, a cake’s texture was more like gingerbread due to the availability of refined ingredients.
Cakes typically contain a combination of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or oil. Additionally, some variety of liquid, such as milk or water, creates a batter. A leavening agent such as yeast or baking powder helps the cake rise. Flavorful ingredients are often added, for example, chopped nuts, fresh, candied or dried fruit, fruit purees, or extracts. Though we commonly think of cake with frosting or icing, many cakes can be enjoyed with just fruit or other toppings.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCakeDay
Grab the flour and cake pans. Get dusted up and warm the house with love. Decorate and frost them. And then, deliver it to a family gathering. You know you’ll wow them with their favorite. Cream cheese frosting, buttercream or icing. What’s your favorite? Here are a few delicious choices to try.
Black Forest Cake
Lemon Pudding Cakes
Zucchini Cake
Pineapple Pudding Cake
Use #NationalCakeDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CAKE DAY HISTORY
While our research did not uncover the source of this day, National Day Calendar® continues researching this food holiday’s origins.
Cake FAQ
Q. Why does the cake recipe say to use room-temperature eggs?
A. Cold eggs bring down the temperature of the other ingredients in the cake. For example, if you add cold eggs to a butter and sugar mixture, the butter will firm up into clumps. The eggs and butter (or other ingredients) won’t distribute evenly throughout the cake batter affecting the final texture. The cake may also take longer to bake if cold eggs are used.
Q. I forgot to set my eggs out. What’s a quick way to warm them?
A. Place the eggs in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 2-3 minutes.
Q. How do I know if my cake is done in the middle?
A. Nobody wants an underdone or overdone cake. There are several ways to test your cake for doneness.
- Use a cake tester. This is a handy kitchen tool that looks like a long metal skewer. Insert the tester into the center of the cake and remove it. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If there is better or undercooked crumbs, let the cake bake a little longer. You can also use a toothpick in the same way.
- Test for springiness. A cake will spring back when gently pressed on the top. It will be soft, but not jiggly.
- The edges begin to pull away from the sides and a light crust begins to form along the sides.
November 26th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History
1836
Abraham Lincoln proclaims the national holiday Thanksgiving on November 26th.
1885
During the spectacular showing of the Andromedids meteor shower, astronomer Ladislaus Weinek captured the first known photograph of a meteor.
1867
The U.S. Patent Office issued the first patent for a refrigerated railroad car to J.B. Sutherland of Detroit, MI. Patent No. 71,423 described an insulated, double-walled car with compartments for ice at each end and gravity forced air. However, Sutherland lacked the funds to make a commercial success of his invention.
1917
The Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, and Quebec Bulldogs establish the National Hockey League.
1942
Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, Casablanca premieres in New York City on Thanksgiving Day.
November 26th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Bella Da Costa Green – 1879
As the private librarian for the J. Pierpont Morgan and J.P. Morgan Jr. for forty-three years, Greene expanded the collection, hosted exhibitions and lectures, and contributed to bibliography and scholarship. She also mentored others while promoting the work of other scholars and librarians.
Mary Edwards Walker – 1832
In 1865, President Andrew Johnson presented Dr. Mary Walker with the Medal of Honor. She is the only woman to receive the award. The dedicated Army surgeon, spy, abolitionist, and women’s rights advocate attended Syracuse Medical College with Elizabeth Blackwell, graduating second after her.
Willis Haviland Carrier – 1876
In 1902, Carrier invented the first modern air conditioner.
Bill W. – 1895
In 1935, Bill W. along with Dr. Bob founded an organization called Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today, AA’s estimated membership is over 2 million.
Maurice McDonald -1902
In 1955, Maurice and his brother Richard founded the restaurant chain McDonald’s.
Charles M. Schulz -1922
He is the creator of the syndicated comic strip the Peanuts that ran for 50 years. Schulz’s memorable characters, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Franklin, Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, and Pig-Pen all came to life in animated cartoons as well.
Tony Verna – 1933
The television sports producer is best known as the first to use instant replay.
Tina Turner – 1939
The 12-time Grammy Award-winning artist’s career spanned more than fifty years and garnered her the title Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Chris Hughes – 1983
In 2004, Hughes co-founded the online social networking platform, Facebook, along with Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, and Andrew McCollum.