National Cream Puff Day celebrates the beloved French pastry known as profiterole or choux à la crème – a light, airy shell filled with whipped cream, custard, or ice cream.
Quick Facts
- When is it: January 2nd annually
- Tagged as: Food Holiday, Dessert Day
- What’s the hashtag: #NationalCreamPuffDay
- When was it founded: Unknown
- Who founded it: Origins unclear
History
Cream puffs originated in the 1540s when Catherine de Medici’s pastry chef created the baked puffed shells for Henry II of France. The word “profiterole” entered English vocabulary in 1604. By 1851, cream puffs had made their way to American restaurant menus.
Timeline
- 1540s: First cream puff created in France
- 1604: Term “profiterole” enters English language
- 1851: First appearance on US restaurant menus
- 1880: Cream puffs gain popularity in America
- 1999: Beard Papa’s opens in Japan, becoming a global cream puff phenomenon
Upcoming Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 2 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 2 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 2 | Saturday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by visiting bakeries, making homemade cream puffs, or sharing these delightful treats with friends and family.
Fun Facts About Cream Puffs
- Made from choux pastry, which means “cabbage” in French
- Can be filled with sweet or savory ingredients
- Must be cut after baking to prevent deflation
- Profiteroles are technically cream puffs filled with ice cream
Quiz
- What’s the French name for cream puffs?
- When did cream puffs first appear in America?
- What does “choux” mean in French?
(Answers: 1. Profiterole 2. 1851 3. Cabbage)
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between a cream puff and profiterole?
A: They’re essentially the same, but profiteroles typically contain ice cream filling.
Q: How long do cream puffs last?
A: Best consumed within 4 hours of filling.
Importance of Cream Puffs
These pastries represent the elegance of French cuisine and showcase the artistry of pastry-making. They’ve become a globally beloved dessert that bridges cultural boundaries.
Related Holidays
- National Pastry Day
- National Dessert Day
- French Cuisine Day
- World Baking Day