National Brownie Day 🍫

Overview

National Brownie Day, observed on December 8th, is a delicious annual celebration dedicated to one of America's most beloved baked goods. It's a perfect occasion to bake, share, and indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of brownies, whether they are fudgy, cakey, or loaded with extras.

Origin and story

The first recorded brownie recipe appeared in the 1897 Sears, Roebuck Catalogue.

Brownies were supposedly invented in Chicago at the Palmer House Hotel for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, created for ladies attending the fair.

Quick facts

• DateDecember 8
• TypeFood / Dessert
• Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

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Ways to celebrate

The brownie wasn't a happy kitchen accident — it was a specific assignment, commissioned by a socialite for the 1893 World's Fair, who wanted a chocolate dessert compact enough to fit neatly in a boxed lunch.

Bake a batch

Celebrate by:

• Baking a batch of brownies from scratch instead of a boxed mix.
• Trying the original Palmer House recipe, which includes walnuts and an apricot glaze.

See the real origin story

Helpful resources:

• The Palmer House Brownie Recipe (Chicago History Museum)

Did you know?

Bertha Palmer commissioned the original brownie from her hotel's pastry chef specifically for the World's Columbian Exposition — the same recipe, apricot glaze and all, is reportedly still served at Chicago's Palmer House more than 130 years later.

Fun facts

• The first recorded brownie recipe appeared in the 1897 Sears, Roebuck Catalogue.
• Brownies were supposedly invented in Chicago at the Palmer House Hotel for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, created for ladies attending the fair.
• There are two main types of brownies: fudgy (dense and moist) and cakey (lighter and more airy), often attributed to different ratios of fat and flour.
• The largest brownie ever baked weighed over 3,000 pounds and was made by Stuff'd, Inc. in Massachusetts in 2013.
• Some culinary historians believe the brownie may have been an accidental creation, a chef forgetting to add baking powder to chocolate cake batter.
• Blondies are often considered a cousin to the brownie, made with brown sugar and vanilla instead of cocoa.

Sources and attribution

The Palmer House Brownie Recipe (Chicago History Museum)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Brownie Day?

It is observed on December 8 each year.

What is National Brownie Day?

National Brownie Day, observed on December 8th, is a delicious annual celebration dedicated to one of America's most beloved baked goods. It's a perfect occasion to bake, share, and indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of brownies, whether they are fudgy, cakey, or loaded with extras.

How do people celebrate National Brownie Day?

Bake a batch of brownies from scratch, or try the original Palmer House recipe with walnuts and apricot glaze.

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