Sprinkle Day

Did you know that there was a day dedicated just to those tiny, colorful bits that make desserts a bit more special? Yes, we’re talking about sprinkles!

Imagine a world where these little dashes of joy get their celebration. That day exists, and it’s as sweet as it sounds. Sprinkle Day lights up our calendars and our cakes with a rainbow of colors. It’s a day to appreciate the little things that bring big smiles.

Celebrated every year on July 23, Sprinkle Day isn’t just another day on the calendar. It marks a time when we honor those small, sugary pieces that add a pop of color and fun to our treats.

Whether they’re on top of ice cream, cupcakes, or donuts, sprinkles make everything look more festive and taste just a tad sweeter. They’re the unsung heroes of the dessert world, brightening up our snacks and our lives.

So, why do we celebrate Sprinkle Day? It’s simple: to recognize the happiness these tiny confections bring into our lives.

Sprinkles aren’t just about adding color or sweetness; they’re about bringing a smile to someone’s face, making a moment memorable, and adding a sprinkle of fun to our daily lives.

On July 23, we pause to celebrate the simple joy sprinkles bring to us, proving that sometimes, it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.

History of Sprinkle Day

Sprinkle Day’s story starts with a love for those tiny bursts of color and sweetness we all know and adore. This special day, celebrated on July 23 each year, is a tribute to sprinkles, highlighting their ability to bring joy and flair to desserts.

The idea for Sprinkle Day first sprouted in 2017, thanks to Rosie Alyea, a creative mind with a knack for baking and decorating desserts. Alyea, known for her work as a cookbook author, dessert photographer, and the brains behind Sweetapolita, aimed to share her passion for sprinkles with the world​​.

The concept of sprinkles goes way back, with early versions known as Nonpareils existing since the 18th century. The modern sprinkle, as we recognize it today, took shape in 1913 when Dutch inventor Erven H. de Jong created “hagelslag,” initially meant to top bread but soon became a beloved cake and pastry decoration​​​​.

These tiny confections made their way to America, where they were warmly embraced and given the playful name “jimmies.” By the 1930s, they began adorning cakes, and not long after, they found their perfect match as an ice cream topping, thanks to Dr. Edward Bringham’s ingenious idea in the 1940s​​.

Sprinkles have since become a global sensation, known by various names like “hagelslag” in the Netherlands and “muizenstrontjes” (mouse droppings) in Belgium.

Their universal appeal lies in their ability to transform any ordinary dessert into a festive and fun treat. Sprinkle Day encourages everyone to embrace the joy sprinkles bring by adding them to all sorts of sweet treats, from ice cream and cakes to more inventive options like fairy bread in Australia and New Zealand, which pairs them with buttered bread​​​​.

In essence, Sprinkle Day is more than just a day to enjoy these colorful toppings; it’s a celebration of creativity, fun, and the little things that can make everyday life a bit sweeter.

How to Celebrate Sprinkle Day

Host a Sprinkle Tasting Party: Gather friends and lay out a rainbow of sprinkle varieties. Everyone can taste and vote on their favorites. Think of it as a wine tasting, but way sweeter.

Sprinkle Art Contest: Grab plain cookies or cupcakes, and let creativity run wild. Award prizes for the most imaginative designs. It’s like a paint night but edible.

Sprinkle-Packed Baking Marathon: Whip up batches of sprinkle-filled treats. Think cookies, brownies, or even bread with a sprinkle twist. Share your creations with neighbors or coworkers.

DIY Sprinkle Mixes: Mix and match colors and shapes to create your own unique sprinkle blends. Package them prettily for a fun gift idea. It’s like crafting, but you can eat the results.

Sprinkle Pancake Breakfast: Start the day with a smile. Add sprinkles to pancake batter for a colorful breakfast—a regular breakfast that gets turned into a party.

Sprinkle Scavenger Hunt: Hide small containers of sprinkles around your home or garden. It’s fun for kids or the young at heart. Think Easter egg hunt, but with a sugary twist.

Create a Sprinkle Mural: Use a large canvas or poster board and edible glue to stick sprinkles in a fun design. This is an art project in which sprinkles are the paint.

These ideas are designed to inspire joy and creativity on Sprinkle Day, making it a celebration to remember for everyone involved​​​​​​​​​​.