National Raspberries n’ Cream Day Date in the current year: August 7, 2026

For a popular summer dessert, the history of raspberries and cream is surprisingly poorly documented, in contrast to strawberries and cream, which have a well-attested place in the history of English cuisine. Raspberries have been eaten in Europe since long before the development of agriculture and have been cultivated since at least the Roman period. However, there is no evidence that they were eaten with cream back then.

Strawberries were served with cream in Britain as early as the 16th and 17th centuries. The combination of fresh berries and cream grew in popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries, when larger, sweeter berries became available due to advancements in fruit cultivation.

By the 19th century, serving fresh seasonal berries with cream had become a standard feature of British summer dining. Recipes and food writing from that period treat strawberries, raspberries, currants, and other berries interchangeably in cream-based desserts. While the exact origin of raspberries served with cream is unknown, this combination was well-established by the 19th century as part of the broader category of berries-and-cream desserts.

The origins of National Raspberries n’ Cream Day are unknown as well, but the holiday has long been part of the unofficial food holiday calendar in the United States. August 7 is the perfect date for this holiday since raspberries and cream are the ideal treat for a hot summer day.

The best way to celebrate National Raspberries n’ Cream Day is to make this quick, easy, and delicious dessert. Sprinkle six ounces of fresh raspberries with one teaspoon of sugar and two teaspoons of orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, Curaçao, or Triple Sec (optional). Gently toss, then set aside and let stand for about an hour. You can skip this step if you don’t want to wait, or if you prefer your raspberries to be firm instead of soggy.

Chop one ounce of dark or semisweet chocolate. Whip four ounces of whipping cream with two teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Layer the raspberries, whipped cream, and chopped chocolate in serving glasses or bowls. Garnish with grated chocolate or crushed pistachios. To make the dessert healthier, substitute the whipped cream with plain Greek yogurt.

If you feel like enjoying something more elaborate, celebrate National Raspberries n’ Cream Day by making another dessert that uses the cream-and-raspberry combination. Examples include cake, tart, cheesecake, cupcakes, soufflé, crème brûlée, custard, and ice pops. Don’t forget to take a picture of your dessert and share it on social media with the hashtag #NationalRaspberriesNCreamDay.

National Raspberries n’ Cream Day is one of many food-themed holidays that focus on a combination of fresh fruit or berries and cream. For example, National Strawberries and Cream Day is celebrated on May 21, and National Peaches and Cream Day is on June 21.