If you love rich, chocolatey desserts, mark December 8th on your calendar—it’s National Brownie Day! Brownies have been a favorite in homes and bakeries for generations, offering a delicious mix of chewy edges and fudgy centers. Ever wonder how these sweet squares came to be, or how best to celebrate? Don’t worry, there’s more to enjoy this month too, with National Cupcake Day on December 15th and National Chocolate Candy Day on December 28th.
A Brief History of Brownies
The origin of the brownie has long intrigued dessert enthusiasts. Some believe it was the result of a baking mistake, while others credit a Chicago chef who created the dessert for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Regardless of the exact origins, brownies have become one of the most beloved desserts, available in endless variations. From classic chocolate fudge brownies to more adventurous combinations like peanut butter or caramel swirls, there’s a brownie for every taste.
When is National Brownie Day?
If you love brownies, National Brownie Day is the perfect excuse to indulge year after year. It falls in early December, which makes it a sweet treat during the holiday season. Whether you plan to bake a batch yourself or enjoy one from your favorite bakery, here’s when you can look forward to celebrating National Brownie Day in the upcoming years:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | December 8, Sunday |
| 2025 | December 8, Monday |
| 2026 | December 8, Tuesday |
| 2027 | December 8, Wednesday |
| 2028 | December 8, Friday |
| 2029 | December 8, Saturday |
| 2030 | December 8, Sunday |
Fun Brownie Facts You Might Not Know
Brownies have an interesting history and plenty of unique twists that make them more than just a chocolate dessert. From their accidental creation to world records and tasty variations, there’s a lot to learn about this beloved treat. Here are some fun facts that dive a little deeper into the world of brownies:
- The first brownie recipe appeared in the 1897 Sears Roebuck catalog, but it wasn’t the chocolate dessert we know today. Instead, it was more like a molasses-based cake, showing just how much the brownie has evolved over time.
- Legend has it that the brownie was created by accident when a baker forgot to add baking powder to their cake batter. The result was a denser, fudgier treat that quickly became a hit, leading to the birth of the brownie as we know it.
- According to Guinness World Records, the largest brownie ever made weighed 152 kg (335.1 lb) and was baked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on September 23, 2022. It required 210 packs of brownie mix, 504 eggs, over 23 liters of oil, and nearly 10 liters of water. Measuring 2 meters wide, 2 meters long, and 3 cm high, this massive dessert took 3 hours to bake!
- Blondies, often considered the non-chocolate version of brownies, swap out cocoa for brown sugar. This gives them a rich, butterscotch-like flavor, proving that brownies don’t always have to be about chocolate.
- Brownies are incredibly versatile, with endless variations including those with walnuts, swirled caramel, or even topped with marshmallows. Some adventurous bakers even mix in flavors like coffee or mint to create unique brownie experiences.
Ways to Celebrate National Brownie Day
There are many ways to enjoy National Brownie Day, so whether you’re baking from scratch or grabbing a box mix, these ideas will help you celebrate the right way:
- Bake your favorite brownies: Whip up a batch of your go-to recipe or try something new with unique ingredients like salted caramel or espresso powder.
- Host a brownie tasting: Bake several brownie types, from classic to creative, and invite friends or family to taste and rate each one.
- Gift brownies to others: Share the sweetness by packaging up brownies for neighbors, friends, or even a local charity bake sale.
- Visit a bakery: Support a local bakery by buying brownies or brownie-inspired treats.
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.
