National Homemade Bread Day

The National Homemade Bread Day, observed every year on November 17, is a celebration of baking bread from scratch at home—reconnecting with the warmth, skill and satisfaction of making your own loaf.

History of National Homemade Bread Day

While the exact origin of the day remains unclear, observance of National Homemade Bread Day began as a modern-food holiday inviting people to return to the kitchen and bake their own bread.
Bread itself, as a fundamental staple, has been part of human history for thousands of years—ancient loaves, sour-dough starters and rustic ovens illustrate how bread has nourished and connected people across cultures.

Why is National Homemade Bread Day important?

This day matters because making bread at home brings together tradition, craftsmanship and mindful eating. It encourages taking the time to mix, knead and bake—a contrast to convenience-food routines.
It also offers a way to enhance wellbeing: baking bread engages senses (smell, touch, taste), promotes connection (sharing with family/friends) and yields a delicious outcome that can be healthier and more satisfying than mass-produced loaves.

Here are five simple things this day supports:

• Rediscovering bread-making as a hands-on process and slow-food activity.
• Appreciating the aroma and texture of freshly baked bread.
• Using simple, quality ingredients instead of heavily processed ones.
• Sharing the loaf you baked with family, friends or neighbours.
• Recognising that food can connect us with tradition, skill and community.

How to Celebrate National Homemade Bread Day

On November 17, set aside time to bake bread at home—select a recipe, clean your workspace, nourish a starter or mix dough, and savour the process of rising, shaping and baking. The act becomes more than producing a loaf: it becomes a ritual of creation, pause, patience and reward. Emotionally, the day invites joy, comfort and connection—through the scent of baking, the crackle of crust, and the sharing of warm slices.
Here are five practical ideas to observe:

• Choose a tried-and-true recipe (or a new one) and bake a loaf of bread from scratch.
• Invite a friend, family member or neighbour to bake with you or share the fresh loaf.
• Experiment with a speciality style: sourdough, whole-wheat, artisan loaf or flavored bread.
• Serve the fresh bread with butter, olive oil, jam or toppings and enjoy the first slice while it’s warm.
• Take a photo of your fresh bread, post it on social media with #NationalHomemadeBreadDay, and encourage others to bake too.

National Homemade Bread Day Dates Table