National Muffin Day

National Muffin Day is observed each year on February 20. While many people mark the occasion by baking or buying their favorite flavor of muffins, the date has also developed a second identity as a day connected to community service and charity.

Early Mentions

References to a National Muffin Day appeared as early as 1999 in the Des Moines Register. In its early years, the observance functioned like many food holidays—an informal celebration focused on enjoying muffins at home or purchasing them from local bakeries.

Some accounts credit the company GourmetGiftBaskets.com with promoting the date online, although clear documentation confirming its role is limited. Before 2015, the day had no defined mission beyond celebrating muffins.

🧁 Muffins are undeniably among the most celebrated desserts! We’ve already covered National Cupcake Day, National Vanilla Cupcake Day, National Chocolate Cupcake Day, and there’s even more delicious content on the way! Stay tuned for more sweet celebrations! 🎉

The Shift Toward Philanthropy (2015)

In 2015, Jacob Kaufman and Julia Levy gave February 20 a new directionby building on Kaufman’s personal habit of baking muffins and sharing them with people experiencing homelessness during his commute in San Francisco. After Levy interviewed him about this practice, they decided to connect his idea to the already established National Muffin Day and develop it into a more organized, service-focused effort.

They rebranded the observance as a day of delicious philanthropy and introduced the term Muffinteers for volunteers who bake and donate muffins. While February 20 remains the official date, many larger baking events are held on the closest Sunday to to allow more people to participate. Funds raised commonly support organizations such as Project Homeless Connect and Family Promise.

Today, National Muffin Day continues to function both as a traditional food holiday and, for many participants, as an opportunity to combine baking with community service.

🧁 Facts About Muffins

Several official state muffins were chosen after elementary school students proposed them as part of classroom civics projects. They researched, petitioned, and worked through the real legislative process.

Minnesota (Blueberry, 1988)
Third-graders from Carlton successfully lobbied for it. They chose blueberry because the fruit grows abundantly in northern Minnesota and the state is a major producer of wheat, a key ingredient for the muffin.
Massachusetts (Corn, 1986)
Proposed by fourth-graders in Brookline. They argued that corn was a vital staple for early settlers and remains an important local crop.
New York (Apple, 1987)
Championed by students in North Syracuse. Apples are New York’s official state fruit, and the state is the second-largest producer of apples in the U.S..
Washington (Blueberry)
Often listed as the official muffin, though formal legal documentation is less clearly recorded than in the other states. Washington’s official state fruit is the apple, but New York “claimed” the apple muffin first.

The nursery rhyme “The Muffin Man,” first published around 1820, likely referred to real London street vendors who delivered muffins and crumpets door to door. The Drury Lane mentioned in the rhyme is a historic street in London’s theater district.

Street sellers rang bells to announce their arrival, and households would send someone out to purchase freshly baked muffins for tea.

How People Celebrate National Muffin Day

There are many ways to take part in National Muffin Day. Here are just a few examples:

Bake at Home: Try a classic blueberry muffin recipe or experiment with savory options like cheese or corn. Share them with family, neighbors, or coworkers.

Bake and Give: In the spirit of the modern movement, bake extra batches to donate to a local shelter, community fridge, or food pantry.

Support a Local Bakery: Purchase muffins from a neighborhood bakery and help small businesses get visibility.

Fundraise for a Cause: Use the day to collect donations for organizations such as Family Promise, local shelters, or food banks.

Host an Office or Classroom Muffin Table: Invite colleagues or students to bring different flavors and learn about the history of the day.

Share Online: Post your creations or favorite bakery finds using #NationalMuffinDay to connect with others celebrating.

Teach a Mini Civics Lesson: If you’re in a classroom, use the story of state muffins to explain how a bill becomes a law.