National Sponge Cake Day

National Sponge Cake Day is a celebration of the beloved light and airy dessert made from flour, eggs, and granulated sugar. This versatile dough can be used to make a variety of desserts such as multi-layered cakes, muffins, rolls with filling, cakes, gingerbread, and cookies. The origins of this day and the reason for it being on August 23rd are unknown.

History

The origins of sponge cake are not definitively known to be from Britain, France, or Italy, but it is known that the Persians were making a similar dough using sugar cane as early as the 7th century BC. In the Middle Ages, a dry version of this bread was made and it became a popular travel food for soldiers, travelers, and sailors. It wasn’t until it entered high society in the 16th century, first at the court of Queen Elizabeth I in England and later in the 17th century at the court of the French Bourbons that it began to evolve into the sweet treat we know today. Confectioners experimented with the dough and created various sponge cake recipes.

Interesting facts

• The Victoria Sponge Cake, a favorite of Queen Victoria topped with jam, is a famous version of sponge cake.
• The Japanese version of sponge cake is called “Castella” and was brought to Japan by Portuguese sailors. It is often made with green tea and honey.
• In Australia, the “Lamington” is a popular version of sponge cake, and a giant version was even entered into the Guinness World Records in 2005.

How to take part

There are many ways to celebrate National Sponge Cake Day: buy your favorite sponge cake, bake it yourself, invite friends to tea with this magical airy dessert, or come up with your own additions to the famous recipe.

When is National Sponge Cake Day in 2024?

National Sponge Cake Day is observed on August 23 each year.

Observations