National Holidays in October: The Food Holidays
Rose is a full-time freelance writer who frequently writes about education, special education, DIY projects, food, Milwaukee, and more.

Dark chocolate cupcakes with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup baked inside. Frosted with peanut butter buttercream and half a Reese's Cup. This is a perfect way to celebrate National Chocolate Cupcake Day.
kimberlykv, CC BY 2.0, via flickr.com, text and border added, Rose Clearfield
I have received a number of comments on my special, bizarre holiday lesson plans article series about the fact that there are more than enough food holidays to keep you cooking during the entire year. Anyone who has made that observation is right. I mix up the holidays that I include in my lesson plans series so that kids will learn about a number of different topics. However, that was no reason to not to make a separate series for the food holidays. Here it is. Enjoy!
October 4 (or 7) - National Frappe Day
If you enjoy frappes, do you really need a day as an excuse to enjoy one? It never hurts, right? If you haven't tried a frappe, this is a great opportunity to order one or make it at home yourself. If frappes really aren't your thing, enjoy a different coffee drink today. I won't tell. There are also a number of great frappuccino dessert recipes if you would prefer to take the baking route to enjoy a good frappe flavor.
- Starbucks Drink Guide - Blended Coffee Frappuccinos
- How to Make a Frappuccino
- Caramel Frappuccino Cupcakes
- Coffee ice pops | Hungry at Midnight
Stop by a local coffee house for National Frappe Day.
October 8 - National Egg Day
Enjoy a good breakfast with eggs or use this as an excuse to bake a dessert with eggs. Alternatively, break out your beautiful deviled egg plate and put together a batch of deviled eggs for it. Have you always wanted to try a different kind of egg? Give it a shot today.
- Sweet Treats and More: The Perfect Scrambled Eggs
- Living the Gourmet: Mushroom & Onion Omelet
- Quinoa Breakfast Skillet | How Sweet It Is
- Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe
October 10 - National Angel Food Cake Day
Are you like me and not a huge fan of cake, particularly really sweet cakes like angel food? Give it another chance today. Maybe you can find an amazing from scratch recipe that is better than a box mix with way too sweet frosting. Pair it with fresh whipped cream and/or fruit to combat the sweetness.
- Key Lime Layered Angel Food Cake - Foods of Our Lives
- the little red house: Angel Food Cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream and Raspberries
- Sweet Treats and More: Seven Days of Sweets for your Sweetheart Day 2: Cherry Almond Angel Cupcakes
October 13 - National Peanut Festival Day
I have a hard time understanding how some foods get their own national days, but this is not one of them. I am a huge fan of peanut butter and eat it at just about any occasion possible. Spread peanut butter on your toast this morning, enjoy a peanut dressing on a salad for lunch, make a peanut butter dessert, or enjoy a classic peanut butter sandwich. The possibilities are endless here.
- Living the Gourmet: ~ Hint of Peanut Butter ~ Brownies ~
- Quick + Easy No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bites | How Sweet It Is
- Monster Cookie Dough Dip Recipe | Skip To My Lou
- Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen: Tatsoi Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
How To Make a Princess Cake with Betty Crocker
October 17 - National Cake Decorating Day
If you've never tried cake decorating and are intimidated, consider a resource to help you out today. There are lots of books at the library, video and picture tutorials online, and local classes. Did you know that Michaels offers cake decorating classes? You'll be able to wow your family and friends at the next birthday party that you host.
- How to frost a cake like a pro (and a sour cream chocolate cake recipe)
- Yammie's Noshery: Buttercream Roses With Video Tutorial
- BraveTart: A Coat of Many Crumbles
- Owl Birthday Cake Design - Parenting.com
October 18 - National Chocolate Cupcake Day
Make a classic recipe today or switch it up and try something new. Go the extra mile and make the frosting yourself. Don't discount the possibility of cupcakes without frosting, too. An exceptionally good recipe won't need it. If you're making cupcakes for a special occasion, don't forget cupcake toppers or a themed decoration.
- Kahlua and Cream Double Chocolate Chunk Cupcakes | How Sweet It Is
- Vanilla Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes, Gluten Free | Gluten Free Canteen
- a cup of mascarpone: dark chocolate cupcakes with chocolate mascarpone buttercream
- How to Make Cupcake Toppers
How to Make Homemade Apple Brandy
October 20 - National Brandied Fruit Day
Did you know that you can brandy fruit? I had no idea until I started putting this article together. One of the neat aspects of this concept is that you can use it to put a new twist on a classic recipe. For example, instead of making apple pie with regular apples, use brandied apples. If you're having trouble finding recipes and resources for brandied fruit, search for specific types of fruit (i.e. apples, cranberries).
- Cafe Johnsonia: Brandied Apple Pie
- Brandied Cranberries | Boulder Locavore
- Kitchen Catharsis: Brandied Peaches, Tucked Away for Winter
- Foodagraphy. By Chelle.: Roasted brandied cherries chocolate ice cream
October 22 - National Nut Day
There are so many different things that you can make for this holiday for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a dessert or snack. If you already have a favorite nut recipe or snack food, indulge in it today. If you're looking for a challenge, try something new instead. As the weather is getting cooler, this is a great time of year to make a batch of roasted nuts. The smell is as incredible as the taste.
- Homemade Roasted Nut Recipes: Looking for Something Different? Check This Out!
- Sweet Pea's Kitchen : Pumpkin Pie Biscotti
- ADORA's Box: CARAMEL CAKE WITH SUGARED PECANS
- Lemon Sugar: Cranberry Walnut Cream Cheese Muffins
October 22 - National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
You don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to make pumpkin cheesecake. This is a perfect excuse to make your favorite recipe or try one (or two) new recipes before the holiday is here. I love pumpkin pie more than cheesecake so this is a perfect way to make a cheesecake recipe even better in my mind.
- Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake | The Girl Who Ate Everything
- ambrosia: Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
- SCK Recipes: No-Bake Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Life {Made} Simple: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crusts
October 24 - National Bologna Day
Enjoy a childhood classic today and have a bologna sandwich. My husband loves to eat bologna on wheat bread with Miracle Whip. If you're looking for a twist on this recipe, there are a number of fried bologna sandwich ideas out there. You can also put a twist on the classic by purchasing a higher grade of bologna from the deli counter at the grocery store.
- The "Just Trust Me" Fried Bologna Breakfast Doughnutwich > Willow Bird Baking
- Super Bowl Party Appetizers: For the Gentlemen! | okie dokie artichokie
- Bologna Fried Rice : Cheap Eats
- Bologna Cake : Las Vegas Food Adventures
October 25 - World Pasta Day
Do you even have to plan for this food holiday? Keep it simple with box macaroni and cheese or take the challenge and make pasta from scratch today. Or you can do anything in between. There are lots of easy slow cooker recipes that you can finish off with pasta as well as baked pasta dishes that come together in no time.
- Healthy Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake | The Girl Who Ate Everything
- spaghetti with broccoli cream pesto | smitten kitchen
- Vegetarian Baked Penne : Fork Knife Swoon
- The Café Sucré Farine: Home again, home again ........ to a Fabulous Fall Dinner - Butternut Squash
October 26 - National Mincemeat Day
I had heard of mincemeat, but I didn't know much about it until I put this article together. It is a mixture that includes distilled spirits, dried fruit, and spices. It can also include beef, beef suet, or venison. Initially, it always had meat. Many modern versions have beef suet, although sometimes vegetable shortening is substituted for it. [Source] There are a number of modern dessert recipes with it that are perfect for special occasions.
- How to Make Homemade Mincemeat | Simple Bites
- Mincemeat Hand Pie Met a Tart | Gluten Free Canteen
- lostpastremembered: Henry VIII's Hampton Court and his Chuets (Meat Pies)
- What Smells So Good?: No Such Thing as Leftovers
October 28 - National Chocolate Day
There are a number of chocolate related holidays out there. I always assume that everyone loves chocolate, which obviously isn't true. If you fall into the "not a fan" category, enjoy a different indulgence of your choice today. For those who don't need any particular reason to eat chocolate, keep it simple with a high quality piece of chocolate (Dove, anyone?), put together one of your favorite chocolate desserts, or challenge yourself to make a new chocolate recipe.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Roll | Once Upon a Cutting Board
- Sing For Your Supper : Chocolate Oreo Poke Cake
- Chocolate Almond Torte with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting Recipe | Lemons and Anchovies
- Low Carb Chocolate Mint Panna Cotta | All Day I Dream About Food
Make Your Own Candy Corn
October 30 - National Candy Corn Day
It's a good thing that candy corn is only widely available for a short period of time because you a couple months is plenty of time to get your fill and then be done with it for a while. If you want to mix it up this year, opt for chocolate candy corn or make a recipe that includes candy corn. Did you know that you can buy candy corn M&Ms and Oreos around Halloween? They are both perfect for baking. For those who would prefer to skip it altogether but love the bright candy corn colors, make a candy corn craft instead.
- Sing For Your Supper : Halloween Popcorn
- White Chocolate Candy Corn M & M Cookies | Chocolate Moosey
- Candy Corn Oreo Truffles | My Baking Addiction
- Recipe: Candy Corn- Pretzel Fudge — Fort Mill SC Living
Celebrate Sun Dried Tomatoes Month
Are you still looking for ways to use up the final tomatoes from your garden? This is a great option that you may not have explored yet. Sun dried tomatoes are also readily available in many grocery stores. Honestly I've never had them myself so I may have to give it a try this year. You can enjoy them on their own or use them in many different recipes.
- Tortilla wrap with tuna, grilled eggplant - Proven KuchniaSprawdzona Kitchen
- Step by Step Gourmet: Chicken Bryan
- Recipe: Mini Burgers with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Sun-dried Tomatoes — Fort Mill SC Living
- Kalyn's Kitchen: Slow Roasted Tomato Hummus Recipe
National Bake and Decoration Month
In case you haven't already thought of a ton of ways to include baking and food decorating into this month of food holidays, you can find a few other random occasions throughout the month to do this. Put some extra work into the food presentation for your next dinner party or make special birthday treats for a family member or co-worker.
- Boo! : Ghost Cake Pops : bakerella.com
- Mini Heart Shaped Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake | Once Upon a Cutting Board
- The Housewife Chef: Chocolate chip hazelnut Scones
- Cracker Toffee | ~Lady With The Red Rocker~
October 31 - National Caramel Apple Day
I am not a big fan of caramel apples, but if you're going to eat one, this is the time of year to do it when they are made with delicious in season apples. You can also keep this concept simple with sliced apples and caramel dipping sauce.
- Grandma Betty’s Caramel Apples | Tasty Kitchen: A Happy Recipe Community!
- Super Simple Caramel Apple Dip (FREE Printable too)
- Cooking Classy: Salted Caramel Apple Cupcakes
- Lilyshop | Homemade Caramel Apple Pops
More articles in my food holidays series.
- National Holidays in August: The Food Holidays
Celebrate one or two of the many fun food holidays in August this year! Choose from pies, fruits, ice cream, main dishes, cakes, and more. - National Holidays in September: The Food Holidays
Celebrate a few of the many fun September food holidays this year. Pick from savory main dishes, pizza, baked desserts, burgers, breakfast recipes, and more. - National Holidays in November: The Food Holidays
Do you enjoy cooking and baking? Celebrate some of the bizarre, unique November food holidays this year. Choose from desserts, other baking options, nuts, and much more.
© 2012 Rose Clearfield
Comments
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 22, 2012:
Haha no worries! October is a great month for sweets.
Marisa Hammond Olivares from Texas on October 22, 2012:
cclitgirl took my favs....hmmmm...ok, I'll share! nom, nom, nom. This hub left me craving some major sweets! yay for October!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 22, 2012:
Yum! Perfect holidays for October, right? You should mark them on your calendar so you don't forget. :)
Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on October 22, 2012:
Let's see...my two favorite food holidays would be pumpkin cheesecake and caramel apple day. Hehe. Yummy! I'll have to remember this!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 22, 2012:
That's awesome, RTalloni and Rebecca!
Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on October 22, 2012:
These delicious ideas should keep us busy in the kitchen until the end of the year! Thanks!
RTalloni on October 22, 2012:
Okay--I'll be taking the 28th off, for sure. Any day that I can dedicate to my favorite vegetable is a good day! :)
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 06, 2012:
That works out perfectly!
Om Paramapoonya on October 06, 2012:
Oct 18 is the national chocolate cupcake day? That's so funny. It's my hubby's birthday, and chocolate happens to be his favorite cupcake flavor! lol
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 06, 2012:
Haha looking at food pictures when you aren't going to eating soon is never a good idea.
Susette Horspool from Pasadena CA on October 06, 2012:
No fair! You have some very tempting photographs on here that are making me hungry and it's after midnight!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 05, 2012:
Thanks, thebookmom! Enjoy your cupcakes.
Thanks, Leah! I'm with you for both of those holidays!
Leah Lefler from Western New York on October 05, 2012:
I am definitely celebrating National Chocolate Day. I love that holiday! I'm not so sure about National Bologna Day, though... I might skip that one. Great hub, randomcreative!!
thebookmom from Nebraska on October 04, 2012:
Oh my goodness how fun! I can't wait for Oct. 18th :) Very unique and well written hub. Great work.
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 04, 2012:
I know what you mean! Some of the dates are very random.
Natasha from Hawaii on October 04, 2012:
This is definitely a strange assortment of food holidays! Some of them make sense - October 30 as candy corn day I get. But bologna day? That's just bizarre.
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 04, 2012:
That's awesome, Kelley! Thanks.
kelleyward on October 04, 2012:
Hi Randomcreative,
My middle son will enjoy knowing his birthday is on National Candy Corn Day! He has a sweet tooth. Thanks for this hub. BTW the pics are awesome! Voted up and shared. Kelley