National Strawberry Shortcake Day

June 14th is one of the tastiest days on the calendar because today is National Strawberry Shortcake Day. This dessert is recognized as one of the most delicious and beloved in the United States and is prepared in hot summer weather when you want to please yourself, loved ones, or friends. Many home cooks have their own versions of strawberry shortcake recipes, but if you don’t like to cook, go to the nearest store and buy one to have with your tea.

History

Little is known about the history of National Strawberry Shortcake Day, but the history of the strawberry dessert is well documented. Historians note that the first shortcake recipe was found in an English cookbook published in 1588. However, experts believe housewives had been baking it for many years before the recipe was recorded in a cookbook.

By the middle of the 19th century, shortcake with strawberries was prepared in many families and public institutions, served with cream and butter. Not a single holiday or family celebration was complete without a light, fragrant dessert. National Strawberry Shortcake Day was established on June 14, probably because the period of ripening and picking berries falls at the beginning of summer.

Interesting Facts

• For this dessert, special cakes are used, prepared according to the recipe for shortbread cookies with the addition of baking soda.
• In 2012, the people of Pasadena made a dessert that required 3,200 pounds of fresh berries and 280 pounds of cream, making it the largest shortcake ever.
• Strawberries are the only berry with seeds on the outside; there are about 200 of them.
• The berry is grown almost throughout the United States and in Canada; in California alone there are 23,000 acres—this is 75% of all strawberries grown in the United States.

How to Take Part

Celebrate National Strawberry Shortcake Day with friends. Make your own signature dessert recipe or shop for a pie. Don’t forget about tea or coffee and good company. Share your culinary successes on social networks, inspire others, and don’t forget to add the hashtag #NationalStrawberryShortcakeDay.

When is National Strawberry Shortcake Day in 2024?

National Strawberry Shortcake Day is observed on June 14 each year.

Observations