National Dessert Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in your favorite sweet treats, from cakes and cookies to ice cream and pies. Celebrated every year, this day is about savoring the best of desserts, whether you prefer something decadent or light. It’s a great opportunity to treat yourself or share a dessert with friends and family. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to satisfy your sweet tooth, this day offers it on a silver platter! And if you love celebrating all things food-related, be sure to check out our calendar of food days to discover even more reasons to indulge throughout the year.
When is National Dessert Day celebrated?
National Dessert Day is your yearly invitation to indulge in all things sweet, celebrated every year on October 14. It’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself or share desserts with loved ones. Mark your calendar for the upcoming celebrations and start planning your next dessert indulgence on these dates:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | October 14, Monday |
| 2025 | October 14, Tuesday |
| 2026 | October 14, Wednesday |
| 2027 | October 14, Thursday |
| 2028 | October 14, Saturday |
| 2029 | October 14, Sunday |
| 2030 | October 14, Monday |
10 Iconic American Desserts to Have on National Dessert Day
National Dessert Day is the perfect time to indulge in some of America’s most beloved sweet treats. From comforting pies to rich cakes, these desserts reflect the heart of American baking and offer something delicious for every craving. Many of these treats even have their own national days, so you can celebrate them more than once! Here are ten iconic American desserts that have stood the test of time, perfect for adding a taste of nostalgia and sweetness to your National Dessert Day celebrations:
Apple Pie – A classic symbol of American desserts, often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Celebrate National Apple Pie Day on May 13 and Vanilla Ice Cream on July 23.
Chocolate Chip Cookies – Invented in Massachusetts, these cookies are a nationwide favorite, especially the classic Nestlé Toll House recipe. Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on August 4.
Brownies – A versatile treat that can be fudgy or cake-like, often enhanced with nuts or chocolate chips. Celebrate National Brownie Day on December 8.
Cheesecake – Especially the New York-style version, this rich, creamy dessert has become a staple in American bakeries. Celebrate National Cheesecake Day on July 30.
Pecan Pie – A Southern classic, particularly popular during the holidays, with a sweet, nutty filling in a flaky crust. Celebrate National Pecan Pie Day on July 12.
Banana Pudding – A comforting Southern dessert made with layers of vanilla wafers, bananas, and creamy pudding. Celebrate National Banana Pudding Day on August 29.
Key Lime Pie – Originally from Florida, this tart and tangy pie is made with key lime juice and served chilled in a graham cracker crust. Celebrate National Key Lime Pie Day on September 26.
S’mores – A nostalgic treat combining toasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, often enjoyed around a campfire. Celebrate National S’mores Day on August 10.
Cobbler – Whether it’s National Peach Cobbler Day on April 13 or National Cherry Cobbler Day on May 17, this baked dessert features fruits like peaches or berries with a biscuit-like topping.
Red Velvet Cake – This rich, slightly tangy cake with cream cheese frosting even has its own day on National Red Velvet Cake Day, September 18.
This mix of classic desserts offers a taste for every sweet tooth, and with their individual national days, you have even more reasons to celebrate!
Fun Facts About Desserts
Desserts come with a rich history and plenty of interesting tidbits. For instance, did you know that the word “dessert” comes from the French word desservir, which means “to clear the table“? It’s a fitting name since desserts traditionally follow the main course. And if you’re a chocolate lover, you might be interested to know that cocoa has been consumed for over 3,000 years, dating back to the Mayans!
Ways to Celebrate National Dessert Day
Celebrating National Dessert Day is as easy as pie—literally! You can whip up a classic family recipe or experiment with something new, like a trendy dessert mash-up. Why not visit your local bakery or favorite dessert shop and try something you’ve never had before? Hosting a dessert potluck with friends could be a fun way to share and enjoy a variety of sweets. And of course, don’t forget to share your delicious creations on social media!
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
