“Let them eat cake!” This popular french saying holds true especially on October 14, aka National Dessert Day! Calories don’t count today, so make sure to pick up that box of donuts you’ve been thinking about all week. Cash in those kale salad points and reward yourself with the a warm sugary glaze. You’ve earned it!

History of National Dessert Day

The term “dessert” originates from the French word desservir, which translates to the action “to clear the table.” This is because dessert is served after a main meal’s dishes have been cleared. However, the sweetness of dessert has existed long before there was a proper title for it. As an act of worship, ancient civilizations would offer dried fruits and honey to their gods. In Ancient Greece, a special sweet bread was made with nuts and honey to make an almost cake-like dish called plakous. It is believed the Ancient Greeks may have also invented pie, as Aristophanes mentions sweetmeats and pastries filled with fruit in his plays.

Desserts By The Numbers

2,520 square feet — the length of the world’s largest gingerbread house. 

35.8 million — the number of calories in the length of the world’s largest gingerbread house. 

9,000 pounds — the weight of the world’s biggest chocolate bar made in Armenia. 

150,000 gallons — the amount of water mixed with chocolate and cream to create the chocolate river in the movie “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.” 

2001 — the year when Jell-O was declared Utah’s official snack. 

$700 million — the worth of the pies sold every year. 

18 pounds — the amount of chocolate eaten by the average Swiss citizen. 

2 hours 45 minutes — the waiting time for buying a cronut in 2013. 

87,000 — the number of drink possibilities at Starbucks. 

National Dessert Day Activities

1. Go ahead, order the dessertUsually when we go to a restaurant, we restrain ourselves from picking up the dessert menu. But today is a national holiday! Don't be afraid to conquer that chocolate lava cake a la mode style! 
2. Bake your favorite cakeWhether from scratch or from a box, cakes always taste better when they rise in your own oven. That is, if you don't accidentally eat all the cake batter beforehand. Save us the spoon!
3. Throw a pastry partyWarm, flaky, baked goods are best enjoyed with friends. Have everyone bring their favorite pastry, sit around the table, and strike a harmonious "yum!" 

5 Facts About Your Favorite Desserts

1. Made with loveGirl Scout cookies were originally homemade.
2. A common misconceptionBoston cream pie is actually a cake.
3. The origins of the word ‘dessert’‘Dessert’ originates from the French word desservir, meaning “to clear the table.”
4. McDonald’s serves at weddingsIn Hong Kong, McDonald’s creates customized wedding cakes made from their Apple Pie.
5. A fruit like no otherBlack sapote is a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding.

Why We Love National Dessert Day

1. Endless flavorsChocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and cream cheese frosting! No matter what you like, there’s a special type of dessert dedicated to your tastebuds!
2. It’s happiness in every biteSugar is scientifically proven to aid you through breakups, heartaches, and any case of the blues. When your mouth is happy, you're happy too! 
3. A treat for all seasonsDuring summertime, you can cool off with a delicious ice cream or frozen yoghurt. In the winter, pour  that hot fudge on your crepe to make the ultimate warm and filling dessert!