NATIONAL GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY

National German Chocolate Cake Day is observed by chocolate lovers annually on June 11.

Although the name may sound like the cake originated in Germany, it did not.   The cake’s roots can be traced back to 1852 when American, Sam German, made a type of dark baking chocolate for the American Baker’s Chocolate Company.  Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate’s brand was named in honor of Sam German.

Over 100 years later in 1957, a recipe for “German’s Chocolate Cake” appeared as the Recipe of the Day in the Dallas Morning Star.  This recipe, created by Mrs. George Clay, used the Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate, and it became quite popular.  During this time, General Foods owned the Baker’s brand and distributed Mrs. Clay’s recipe to other newspapers around the country.  The current name of German Chocolate Cake, as we know it today, came to be as publications started dropping the ‘s.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Celebrate by enjoying a piece of German Chocolate Cake with friends.  Include photos on social media using #GermanChocolateCakeDay.

NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY

March 28th recognizes a decadent and delicious dessert on National Black Forest Cake Day. Black Forest cake is the English name for the German dessert Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, meaning “Black Forest cherry torte.”

Most often, bakers layer several layers of chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherries between each layer to make Black Forest cake. Then they decorated the cake with whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. Some traditional recipes call for sour cherries between the layers and a Kirschwasser (a clear liquor distilled from tart cherries) to be added to the cake. In the United States, bakers usually do not use alcohol. However, in Germany, the liqueur is a mandatory ingredient. Otherwise, the cake can not legally be sold under the Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte name.

The cake is named after the specialty liquor (Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser) of the region of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) mountain range in southwestern Germany.

Beyond the history of the cake, bakers and pastry chefs create elegant displays when baking Black Forest cake. The combination of rich chocolate layered with layers of contrasting color and bold red cherries offer bakers an opportunity to design remarkable pieces. Their decadent interpretations leave us with fantastic memories and a sweet piece of cake to enjoy, too. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackForestCakeDay

With cake holidays, we can celebrate in many ways. Visit your favorite bakery and order a delicious black forest cake to bring home. Or, break out the cake pans and bake one up yourself. Show off your keen baking skills with one of these delicious recipes! You can also watch cake decorating shows to see what bakers design with a black forest recipe. What’s your favorite slice?

As you celebrate, be sure to use #BlackForestCakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL LACY OATMEAL COOKIE DAY

There are cookie holidays and then there is National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. Each year on March 18th, this holiday celebrates a delicate cookie made from oats.

Some people may refer to this day as National Oatmeal Cookie Day (which is celebrated on April 30th). The difference between the two is that lacy oatmeal cookies are wafer-thin and typically accompany a scoop of ice cream or sorbet.

In the early 1900s, oatmeal became a major ingredient in the American diet. Before that, Americans relied on other grains. Originating in England, oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800s.  However, it is believed that they were created after the oatcake. Soldiers used to carry oatcakes with them for a quick boost of energy during battle. Most research found that the first recorded oatmeal raisin cookie recipe was written by Fannie Merritt Farmer in 1896.Considered a health food, the cookies quickly became popular. By the early 1900s, a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats.

Oatmeal cookies are an excellent source of iron and fiber

Bakers use many different recipes for the lacy oatmeal cookies. Additionally, home bakers bake with a variety of oats including old fashioned oats, quick-cooking oats, oat bran or oat flour.  For a healthier cookie, add finely chopped or ground fruits (such as raisins) or nuts and use a sugar substitute. You can also decorate your lacy oatmeal cookies with icing drizzled on top of the cookie.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #LacyOatmealCookieDay

Lacy oatmeal cookies make pretty decorations on top of cakes and other baked goods, too. They also make excellent gifts. Make some for a friend or neighbor. 

Use #LacyOatmealCookieDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL WEDDING MONTH

Ahh, February. The month of all things “love.” Why not honor weddings during the month that honors American Hearts, Valentine’s, and Chocolate Souffle?! February is National Weddings Month; a celebration of the beauty of unconditional love and the excitement of marriage and wedding parties.

Did you know that more than 2.4 million couples get married in the U.S. every year, and about 16 thousand of them get married on Valentine’s Day?! Even though the majority of weddings do take place during the summer months (specifically June, August, and September), February does own the most weddings to a single day. Since it’s known as the most romantic month on the calendar, it seems fitting to give weddings an extra special celebration in February.

According to the National Association of Bridal Consultants, it’s also the month that most brides and grooms-to-be start doing serious wedding planning. That may be because December is the most popular month for proposals!

So, let romance win in February and celebrate all things wedding-related.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWeddingsMonth

National Weddings Month is an excellent time to celebrate romance and the excitement of weddings.

  • Share a picture from your wedding.
  • Begin planning your wedding.
  • Visit wedding venues for your big day.
  • Call florists, DJs, bands, banquet halls, caterers, and dress shops.
  • Design your announcement and invitations.
  • Send Save-the-Date cards.

Share your plans and excitement on social media, too. Include tips and recommendations for the best businesses for weddings. Businesses, celebrate the month with promotions and deals. The brides, grooms, and parents will thank you! Check out this playlist too. For the ceremony, reception and everything else.

Use #NationalWeddingsMonth or #WeddingMonth to post on social media.

Create an Amazon Wedding Registry
Create an Amazon Wedding Registry

NATIONAL PFEFFERNUSSE DAY

December 23rd is reserved for National Pfeffernusse Day, a German spice cookie. Very popular around the holidays, pfeffernusse are fluffy cookies made with ground nuts and spices and covered in powdered sugar.

The exact origin of the cookie is unknown. However, the Dutch believe that pfeffernusse (or pepernoten) are linked to the feast of Sinterklaas, which is celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands and December 6 in Germany and Belgium. This holiday is when children receive gifts from St. Nicholas, who is partially the inspiration for the Santa Claus tradition. 

Over time, many bakers have created their own pfeffernusse recipes. Traditional methods included various nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Some modern recipes exclude nuts altogether along with the black pepper, retaining only cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom as flavorings. Bakers also use molasses and honey to sweeten the cookie.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPfeffernusseDay

Break out your favorite pfeffernusse recipe and start baking. This is one holiday tradition that will bring back memories for many of you. Not only will you be able to savor the delicious spicy-sweet cookies, but you can also pass down the tradition to another generation. Once you have a good stack of them baked and cooled, package them up as sweet gifts for loved ones. They will appreciate the cookies and your thoughtfulness.

Do you have recipes to share? Be sure to use #NationalPfeffernusseDay to post on social media.