National Graham Cracker Day
For more than a century, Graham Crackers have been a classic American snack food staple that is a vital part of the recipe for the iconic campfire “S’mores”.
Learn about the history of the graham cracker and celebrate the delicious treat for National Graham Cracker Day!
How to Celebrate National Graham Cracker Day
Celebrating National Graham Cracker Day can be loads of fun by adding a few of these delightful treats to the day. Try out some of these ways to observe:
Enjoy Eating Graham Crackers
Pop open a box of delicious graham crackers and enjoy a few. Although they are often eaten by children, this is a great day to enjoy some nostalgia!
Far from boring, Graham Crackers now come in a few different varieties, including Cinnamon Grahams, Low Fat Honey Grahams, Teddy Grahams, and even Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Grahams.
Though they do have some carbs and sugar, when paired with a tasty source of protein, fiber and healthy fats, graham crackers can make a delicious and nutritious snack.
Try Making Graham Crackers at Home
Tasty graham crackers don’t have to come from a box! They can be made at home with ingredients that most people have in their kitchens.
Start out with whole wheat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Mix in butter with a pastry blender, or with the fingers. Then add a mixture of milk, honey and vanilla extract, stirring in until a dough forms. Chill.
Roll out the dough to approximately ¼ inch and cut with a pizza cutter, then score and prick with a fork to make the holes. Bake the crackers, cool and enjoy!
Make Some S’mores
What could be a more delightful way to eat graham crackers than with toasted marshmallows and chocolate melted between them?
Enjoy National Graham Cracker Day by building a little campfire (or use the barbecue grill) and getting super sticky with some delicious S’mores.
Take a peek at more ideas for National S’mores Day here.
History of National Graham Cracker Day
A classic American snack, it makes sense that graham crackers were invented in the United States and continue to be most popular there. A little on the sweet side, some people might consider it to taste more like a cookie than a cracker.
Created in the 1820s in New Jersey by Presbyterian Minister Sylvester Graham, the graham cracker originated as part of his radical vegetarian diet. The “Graham Diet”, which avoided white flour and spices, used graham flour, which was a coarsely ground version of whole wheat flour.
Although the Graham Diet seemed to mostly die away, the recipe for graham crackers continued in common use.
By 1925, the National Biscuit Company (which would later become Nabisco) began making Honey Graham Crackers. Since then, many other companies have gotten on board, including Keebler, Annie’s and Kodiak Cakes.
National Graham Crackers Day is celebrated on July 5 in honor of Reverend Graham, the namesake of this tasty snack.
National Graham Cracker Day FAQs
What is the connection between graham crackers and the temperance movement?
Sylvester Graham, the cracker’s namesake, was a leading figure in the 19th-century temperance movement.
He advocated for clean living, including abstinence from alcohol, as well as a diet of simple, whole foods like graham flour. His crackers symbolized his broader philosophy of restraint and moral living.
Why are graham crackers popular in camping culture?
Graham crackers became a camping staple thanks to s’mores, which debuted in a 1927 Girl Scouts handbook.
Their long shelf life and versatility make them perfect for outdoor adventures. Whether as a snack, a pie crust, or part of s’mores, graham crackers have a firm place in campfire traditions.
What role do graham crackers play in Filipino cuisine?
In the Philippines, graham crackers shine in “Mango Float,” a no-bake dessert.
Layers of crackers, ripe mango slices, and whipped cream are chilled to create a tropical, icebox cake. It’s a perfect blend of local flavors and a global ingredient.
How did graham crackers influence modern snack foods?
Graham crackers paved the way for similar sweet, whole-grain snacks. Animal crackers, digestive biscuits, and even granola bars owe their origins, in part, to Graham’s innovation. Today’s snack aisle is filled with descendants of this humble cracker.
What’s the most unusual use of graham crackers in desserts?
Some bakers grind graham crackers into flour to use in cookies and cakes, adding a nutty sweetness.
Others use them as a topping for ice cream or blend them into milkshakes. This ingredient’s versatility allows for endless creativity.
Did Sylvester Graham intend for crackers to become a dessert?
No, Graham’s original crackers were austere and unsweetened. He intended them as a health food for his followers.
Over time, sugar and cinnamon were added, turning them into the sweet treat we know today.
What are some unusual myths about graham crackers?
Some believe graham crackers suppress appetite or even sexual desire, a misconception tied to Graham’s philosophies.
While these myths persist, there’s no scientific evidence backing them. They remain a fun, quirky aspect of the cracker’s history.
What alternatives exist for graham crackers around the world?
In the UK, digestive biscuits often replace graham crackers in recipes. Similarly, Maria biscuits or galletas are used in Latin America. These alternatives bring different textures and flavors to desserts.
How do graham crackers inspire holiday traditions?
Around Christmas, graham crackers are often used to make gingerbread-style houses.
Families use the crackers as walls and decorate them with candy and frosting. This creative twist lets people enjoy both crafting and snacking.
What’s the story behind graham flour?
Graham flour, used in the original crackers, is a coarsely ground whole wheat flour.
It retains the bran and germ, unlike refined flours. This makes it healthier and more textured, aligning with Graham’s dietary beliefs.
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