Each year on December 8th, brownie lovers across the nation enjoy one of their favorite baked goods on National Brownie Day.
In the United States, the chocolate brownie is a favorite, with the blonde brownie running a close second. A blonde brownie is made with brown sugar and no chocolate and is often called a blondie.
The earliest recipes for brownies we are familiar with today are found published in regional cookbooks and newspapers around the turn of the last century. The 1904 Laconia, NH Home Cookery, the 1904 Chicago, IL Service Club Cook Book, and an April 2, 1905, edition of The Boston Globe are three early examples. In 1906, Fannie Merritt Farmer published a recipe in an edition of The Boston Cooking School Cook Book.
Three myths have gained popularity over the years regarding the creation of the brownie:
- In an accidental mixing of ingredients, a chef added melted chocolate to biscuit dough.
- A forgetful cook left out the flour when mixing the batter.
- When a housewife did not have baking powder, she improvised to create this new treat. The wife decided to serve her guest flattened cakes.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBrownieDay
Enjoy some fudgy, warm brownies. Be sure to invite friends and family to enjoy them with you, too! Pour a glass of milk and maybe add a scoop of ice cream. Share your recipes and celebrations by using #NationalBrownieday on social media.
Chocolate Mint Brownies
Cheesecake Brownies
Cherry Swirl Brownies
Brownies
NATIONAL BROWNIE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this chocolate baking holiday.
