National Waffle Day

National Waffle Day in America is usually celebrated on August 24th. This holiday is dedicated to a confectionery product beloved by many people. The American version of waffles is different from the common one in Europe. European waffles are crispy yeast dough plates, in the USA they are square, with a relief similar to honeycombs, baked from dough with slaked soda using a special frying pan – a waffle iron.

History

It is because of the waffle iron that National Waffle Day is celebrated on August 24th. This is the date when in 1869 a waffle pan with 2 elements was patented: a bottom and a lid. In the process of baking waffles, it was necessary to turn it over so that the dough was baked evenly. This device was invented by Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York. Waffle pans for waffles were used in America before – one of them was brought from Europe by Thomas Jefferson. But the dessert made with the Swarthout pan became popular – she made them a traditional American dessert.

Interesting facts

Curious information from the “biography” of waffles and pans for them:

1. The Waffle House restaurant chain in the United States was opened in 1955.
2. Everyone knows ice cream in waffle cones. They were invented by accident. In 1904 in St. Louis, an ice cream man quickly sold out some of the paper cups. He asked a salesman who sold thin waffles to come up with a way out of the situation. He began to roll them cone-shaped, into impromptu “glasses” of waffles and ice cream was applied.
3. After the invention of electricity, it became possible to improve waffle irons. The first electric waffle iron was manufactured by General Electric and entered the market in 1911.
4. In 1971, Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman used a homemade waffle iron to experiment with rubber shoe soles. He ruined the waffle iron, but Nike has added lightweight, comfortable running shoes to its range. The company soon became successful in the sports shoe market.

How to celebrate

Buy a waffle iron to make waffles at home. Cook them, treat your family and friends, share photos on social networks with the hashtag #NationalWaffleDay!

When is National Waffle Day celebrated in 2022?

National Waffle Day is observed on August 24 each year.

Observations