National Vanilla Cupcake Day — 10 November

Some people think that “vanilla” is synonymous with “boring,” but National Vanilla Cupcake Day is dedicated to dispelling that myth. The very first cupcakes date back to the late 18th century and took their name from the small ramekins or cups in which they were baked. (Who knew nonstick muffin tins weren’t widely available in the 1700s?) We’ve come a long way since then—now, cupcakes are miniature, edible works of art that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Diehard chocoholics, do what you will on November 10; the rest of us will be trying not to get vanilla frosting on our noses.