Annual observance

Bake Cookies Day

December 18 Food / Dessert Updated 2025-12-18

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Overview

Bake Cookies Day, observed annually on December 18th, is an unofficial holiday that encourages individuals and families to engage in the joyful tradition of baking and sharing cookies. Coming just before the major winter holidays, it's a perfect opportunity to fill homes with the comforting aroma of freshly baked treats, create edible gifts, or simply enjoy the process of making and savoring a favorite cookie recipe, fostering warmth and togetherness.

Observed each year on December 18, Bake Cookies Day invites people to pause, share the story, and bring a little themed joy to their day.

Why it matters: Bake Cookies Day, celebrated on December 18, highlights the joy of baking and sharing homemade treats during the festive season. This day emphasizes the importance of creating cherished memories and fostering connections through the simple act of making cookies together.

Origin and story

The tradition of Bake Cookies Day grew out of early 20th-century home baking, when affordable ovens and common pantry staples made it easy for families to share homemade treats during the winter holidays. It celebrates the idea that a simple batch of cookies can bring people together, whether as gifts, classroom exchanges, or cozy kitchen moments.

The first chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1938 by Ruth Graves Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Quick facts

  • DateDecember 18
  • TypeFood / Dessert
  • Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

Also on this date

Ways to celebrate

Bake Cookies Day is all about filling your kitchen with the smell of freshly baked cookies. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just getting started, it’s the perfect excuse to bake something sweet and share it with others.

Bake classic cookies

These tried-and-true recipes are perfect for celebrating:

Try something new

If you want to mix things up:

  • Bake a cookie you’ve never tried before
  • Experiment with holiday spices or fillings
  • Make gluten-free or vegan cookies
  • Let kids help decorate cookies with icing or sprinkles

Share the cookies

Cookies are best enjoyed together:

  • Package cookies as gifts for friends or neighbors
  • Bring a batch to work or school
  • Freeze extra cookies to enjoy later

Did you know?

The chocolate chip cookie was invented in the 1930s by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts.

External links may lead to third-party websites.

Fun facts

  • The word "cookie" comes from the Dutch word "koekje," meaning "little cake."
  • The first chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1938 by Ruth Graves Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.
  • The largest cookie ever baked was 102 feet wide and weighed 40,000 pounds, created by the Immaculate Baking Company in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Sources and attribution

History of the Toll House cookie

Britannica: Cookies


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FAQ

When is Bake Cookies Day?
It is observed on December 18 each year.
What is Bake Cookies Day?
Bake Cookies Day, observed annually on December 18th, is an unofficial holiday that encourages individuals and families to engage in the joyful tradition of baking and sharing cookies. Coming just before the major winter holidays, it's a perfect opportunity to fill homes with the comforting aroma of freshly baked treats, create edible gifts, or simply enjoy the process of making and savoring a favorite cookie recipe, fostering warmth and togetherness.
How do people celebrate Bake Cookies Day?
Write a note or journal entry on why Bake Cookies Day matters, then set a reminder for next year.

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