World Baking Day
Cookies, brownies, pies, bread…try out some new recipes, or revisit your old favorites to have a little fun in the kitchen and end up with tasty treats.
Crunchy cookies, chewy brownies, decadent tortes, cute cupcakes, crusty baked bread…baking is an art this world would just not be the same without.
Do you even know anyone who could honestly say they don’t have deep, unconditional love for at least one of the above? We thought not!
This World Baking Day, it’s time to dig out that rolling pin and prepare something delicious! Surprise a friend, coworker, neighbor or relative with a delicious sweet or savory treat to let them know how much you care, or just make something to enjoy in your own home.
However you decide to celebrate this day, make it deliciously unforgettable!
How to Celebrate world Baking Day
You don’t have to be a pastry chef specializing in fancy tortes to celebrate this holiday. All you really need is a little flour, sugar and butter and a sense of adventure!
One of the best things about baking is that there are thousands upon thousands of recipes to choose from, so everyone is sure to find something to suit their specific tastes. Are you a fan of all things chocolate? Why not make some brownies?
Rocky Road Brownies, for example, combine the richness of chocolate with the crunchiness of walnuts and the softness of marshmallows. But perhaps the best news about brownies is that almost all brownie recipes can be made in just one bowl!
If you’re more of a health food buff, there’s no reason for you to feel left out—there are plenty of baked goods that are decidedly good for you, like apple-cinnamon bran muffins or date and oatmeal muffins, and many more.
Do you have a rambunctious child who is curious about the world? Why not share the magic of baking with them by making some creatively decorated cookies?
Chocolate cherry thumbprint cookies, for example, are both easy and fun to make. Sugar cookies are also very simple to make and lots of fun to decorate with colorful icings and sprinkles. Or are you a bit more experienced at baking?
If so, there are also many torte recipes that you could hone your skills making. Apricot Almond Torte, for example, requires you to make your own marzipan. And who wouldn’t want to know how to make their own perfect marzipan?
Or are you a fan of baking but prefer savory to sweet? Why not bake that bread, or create those mouth-watering pies and pastries that we all love so much?
Fill your creations with delicious savory treats, like cheese or meat. Vegan or vegetarian? Browse your favorite recipe books for inventions made with flour, salt, applesauce, and sunflower oil. If you’re a budding savory baker, crustless quiches are the perfect way of incorporating delectable fillings in a quick and easy way.
If you don’t have time to bake, you could visit a local bakery instead of buying yet another package of mass-produced, sugary cookies filled with preservatives but devoid of flavor. Nothing is quite as relaxing as sitting back with a cup of coffee or tea and perhaps a book, enjoying a piece of pie.
If you want to share the baking joy with your nearest and dearest, why not invite some friends over for a baking party?
It’s the perfect excuse to share your cakes and cookies (or at least the recipes). You can ask them to bring round their favorite cookie cutters and recipe ideas and you can all whizz up a storm in your kitchen.
Or you can order in from your local bakery, put on a cooking competition and binge-watch and eat at the same time.
However, you decide to celebrate this day, make sure you and your nearest and dearest enjoy this day and all of its sweetness to the fullest.
History of World Baking Day
World Baking Day was created to spread the joy of baking all around the world, especially to those who perhaps don’t bake too often and are not particularly experienced at it.
This day is meant to show people just how much fun it can be to make a cake or some cookies, and baking can be a great way to spend time with family and friends. Not to mention how much fun it is to eat what you’ve made once it’s done!
It’s incredible that we’ve managed to go so long without a World Baking Day. We discovered evidence that baking has existed for over 14,000 years, proving that we simply can’t live without it!
In fact, the first bakers in Jordan created flatbreads, which they then wrapped around meat – potentially the first-ever sandwich in existence.
Roman times saw the birth of the artisan baker. Lovers of all things decadent, Romans prized the pastry chef, and those that brought new baked goods to the worlds were ever-popular at feasts and banquets.
In the United Kingdom, by the Middle Ages, baking went commercial, with many trading regulations and rules governing how to bake and sell bread.
But everyone’s got to eat, so anyone with an oven was baking bread to feed their families. The delicious, mouth-watering cakes we eat today started to emerge for the upper echelons of society from the middle ages onwards.
Technology also helped upgrade the ovens to help bring better-baked goods to the masses, especially in the nineteenth century.
Food was easier to preserve, too, so many people could order in meats and milk from across the country rather than relying on their backyard cows or chickens. Cans also cultivated a new innovation for baking, as meats and veg could be canned and exported from places like Australia.
New baking innovations arrived during WWI and WWII. In America during the wars, baking thrived as people moved to the US, and rationing saw the need for increasingly crafty creations.
In America, different flavors from across the world arrived, from Italian cannolis to Mexican Tres Leches. When people couldn’t find fat or eggs during the wars, Applesauce Cake was baked into existence, which is still made today and used as an alternative to eggs and fat in vegan baking.
The increase in prosperity after the war allowed baking to flourish into the foods we love today, all culminating in this event. Enjoy the chance to bake, eat, and be merry with friends and family during this day.
World Baking Day FAQs
What surprising role did baking play in ancient religious ceremonies?
Ancient civilizations, like the Greeks, used baked goods as offerings to gods.
Honey cakes and bread shaped like animals were common sacrifices. These rituals highlighted the importance of baking in early cultural and spiritual practices.
Why do we celebrate baking with a global holiday?
World Baking Day is less about professional chefs and more about inspiring home bakers worldwide.
It’s a reminder to experiment in the kitchen, enjoy creativity, and share baked treats with loved ones. This spirit reflects how baking connects people across borders.
How does baking differ in extreme climates?
In Arctic regions, baking involves preserving ingredients like dried fruits and flour for months.
Conversely, tropical areas incorporate fresh local products like coconut or bananas. Each region’s baking adapts uniquely to its environment.
What’s the story behind the first chocolate cake?
The modern chocolate cake emerged in the 19th century when powdered cocoa became widely available.
Before that, chocolate was primarily a drink. Adding cocoa to baked goods revolutionized desserts globally.
How is baking used in non-food industries?
Surprisingly, baking techniques influence industries like ceramics. Kilns mimic ovens, and the precision required mirrors baking skills. This overlap shows how baking-inspired methods extend beyond food.
What’s the science behind the perfect pie crust?
The secret lies in cold butter and minimal handling. Butter creates steam pockets that lead to flakiness. Overmixing melts the butter, making the crust tough—a balance every baker aims to master.
What unusual ingredients have been used in baking throughout history?
Medieval bakers sometimes used mashed beans or ale as sweeteners. In some cultures, savory spices like black pepper were common in cakes. These choices reflect resourcefulness and regional tastes.
Are there any ancient superstitions about baking?
In some European folklore, failing to bless bread dough could invite bad luck or make the bread spoil. Bakers also believed dough wouldn’t rise if someone angry entered the kitchen.
How do bakers celebrate in countries with limited resources?
In places where ovens are scarce, baking might involve using clay pots over open fires. Community baking days often focus on sharing one large batch to feed many families.
What’s the most challenging baked item in the world?
Croissants are considered one of the hardest pastries due to their delicate layers.
Achieving perfection requires precise timing, cold ingredients, and careful folding. Even professional bakers face challenges with consistency.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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