grandma and grandchildren baking cookies to celebrate National Cookie Day

National Cookie Day: When Is It & How to Celebrate

Everyone loves a freshly baked cookie, but what do people love even more? An excuse to celebrate and enjoy cookies with friends! National Cookie Day gives people the opportunity to dedicate a whole day to their love of cookies.  You can enjoy cookies in all varieties, from chewy, soft-baked delights to crunchy and frosted treats. 

When is National Cookie Day? Mark your calendars because National Cookie Day is celebrated annually on December 4th. Take the time to commemorate this fun day with your favorite cookies and people. There are many ways to celebrate National Cookie Day in the United States. From hosting a cookie exchange party to getting indulgent cookie treats delivered to your home, celebrating the joy of cookies has never been so fun. 

  • What Is National Cookie Day?
  • History & Origins of National Cookie Day
  • How to Celebrate National Cookie Day
  • Fun Facts About Cookies
  • Enjoy National Cookie Day Festivities

What Is National Cookie Day? 

National Cookie Day is a day of celebration and indulgence. It provides an opportunity to enjoy the tradition of cookies with your family and friends. It’s a fun way to appreciate your favorite baked goods from all over the world. Cookies come in all shapes and sizes, making them the perfect baked treat for sharing and trying new flavors. 

On National Cookie Day, you can share your love for cookies, exchange recipes, and engage with other cookie fanatics. Treat yourself to classic favorites like chocolate chip or adventure into bolder recipes such as sour cream or s’mores. 

History & Origins of National Cookie Day

National Cookie Day originated in the United States. It’s a day of sugary sweet celebration, reminding you to snack on your favorite cookies. The holiday was created in 1987 by a cookie company as a fun activity and quickly gained popularity. 

History of cookies

Cookies have been around for centuries. Often referred to as biscuits or crackers in other countries, cookies have become a household staple for many across the world. Whether served at tea time or as an indulgent dessert, cookies do a great job of bringing people together. 

It’s believed that the first introduction of cookies was in 7th century Persia since they were among some of the first countries to cultivate sugar. The people of Persia experimented with sugar and were also known for creating diverse pastries and cakes. 

Popular cookies worldwide include France’s colorful macarons, Germany’s rich ginger-infused Lebkuchen, and America’s soft cinnamon-sugar Snickerdoodles. With so many varieties to explore, National Cookie Day is the perfect opportunity to try them all.

How to Celebrate National Cookie Day

Experience all of the fun of U.S. National Cookie Day by participating in cookie-related activities. From baking your own treats to visiting a bakery, cookies can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas to spice up your National Cookie Day celebration:

  • Bake cookies: Spend time in the kitchen baking your favorite recipes or trying new ones. Invite your friends or family members to join the baking fun.
  • Cookie exchange: Organize a cookie swap party to exchange delightful treats with friends, family, or even coworkers. Everyone can bring a batch of their favorite cookies, allowing you and your guests to try them all.
  • Get cookies delivered: If you don’t have time to bake, order cookies online to get delectable cookies delivered right to your doorstep.  Mrs. Fields carries different types of cookies, making it easy to have your favorites delivered. 
  • Visit a bakery: Support a local bakery by purchasing a selection of their delicious cookies. This allows you to try unique flavors while supporting small businesses. You might even score some National Cookie Day freebies.
  • DIY cookie decorating: Set up a cookie decorating station with various icings, sprinkles, and toppings. Decorating cookies is a fun activity for both kids and adults.
  • Gift cookies: Bake a batch of cookies and give them to neighbors, coworkers, or friends to wish them a Happy National Cookie Day.
  • Host a bake-off: Throw a cookie-themed party and invite your friends to participate in a bake-off. Have everyone bring their best cookies and do a taste test to declare the winner. 

  • When celebrating National Cookie Day, the goal is to enjoy the simple pleasures of cookies. Remember that you can celebrate however big or small you like. You can host a full-on National Cookie Day event or simply enjoy an evening cookie with a glass of milk. Whether you're baking them yourself or sharing with others, take part in this fun holiday by adding cookies to your day. 

    woman eating cookies from a bowl while working

    Fun Facts About Cookies

    Want to get into the spirit of National Cookie Day? Learn some interesting facts about cookies to share with your friends. Discover the origins of your favorite cookies and more. Here are some fun facts about cookies you might not have known: 

  • Origin of the word “cookie”: The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch word “koekie”, meaning little cake. Seems like a fitting word for these handheld treats!
  • Invention of the chocolate chip cookie: It’s not a secret that the chocolate chip cookie is one of America’s finest creations. The recipe was invented in the 1930s by Ruth Wakefield, who later sold it to Nestle in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate chips. 
  • The origins of fortune cookies: While many associate fortune cookies with Chinese cuisine, they were actually created in the early 20th century in San Francisco, California.
  • World’s largest cookie: The largest cookie ever baked was created in 2003 in Flat Rock, North Carolina. This chocolate chip cookie monstrosity weighed over 40,000 pounds and was 101 feet in diameter. Now that’s a mega cookie!
  • Macarons vs macaroons: These are two different types of cookies. Macarons are French meringue-based sandwich cookies, while macaroons are coconut-based and chewy.
  • Official state cookies: Two states in the U.S. have official state cookies. New Mexico’s official cookie, the bizcochito (anise-flavored shortbread), was designated in 1989. In 1997, Massachusetts designated the traditional chocolate chip cookie as its official cookie. 
  • Enjoy National Cookie Day Festivities

    No matter how you choose to celebrate, you can have a happy National Cookie Day by enjoying cookies wherever you are. Nothing brings people closer than spending quality time together over a plate of cookies. There are many ways to join in the festivities, from scoping out National Cookie Day freebies to getting a thoughtful cookie gift for loved ones. 

    Take your National Cookie Day celebration to the next level by sharing cookie cakes with your friends. Order a festive cookie cake decorated with a fun message for your party. This way, you can share a giant cookie with your guests, for an elevated take on the classic cookie. 

    Mrs. Fields also carries a variety of gift options, including cookie boxes, tins, towers, and more. Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them by surprising them with a cookie gift on National Cookie Day. Get a mix of original cookies such as chocolate chip, white chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and oatmeal raisin. Celebrate in style with our gourmet cookies. You can’t go wrong with baked goods from Mrs. Fields.
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