Cake Or Pie? Oh My!

Author: Megan Natoli, Challenge America Program Director

Last week, we celebrated National Pie Day and today, we turn our attention to National Chocolate Cake Day. We will continue the celebrations with a slice of true decadence and a great debate…

Cake or pie? Oh my! 

While celebratory occasions tend to “take the cake”, pies have more versatility in terms of filling and the temperatures they can be served at. They can be sweet or savory, served hot or cold, and are sure to elevate any seasonal gathering with a bit of spice and something nice. There is truly no better way to spice up the four seasons than with a savory pie filled with hearty warming spices or a sweet pie filled with fruity deliciousness and a flaky buttery crust! 🥧

In terms of textures and filling, however, pies seem to be at a disadvantage because cakes can have many layers with different textures and flavor combinations. They can be rich and silky and topped off with a buttercream delight and a bit of crunch. 🎂

It is speculated that people’s preferences for cake or pie are often rooted deeply in memories and nostalgia. In looking into this further, I discovered that the word nostalgia is derived from the Greek 'nostos' ("homecoming"), and 'algos' ("pain"). While it is true that nostalgia can stem from positive or negative memories and can result in mixed feelings, there is much research to suggest that some feelings of nostalgia can actually have a positive impact on mental health and promote optimism. 

So whether today has been a good, bad, or just a so-so day, we hope you can find the time to indulge in a little healthy and optimistic nostalgia with a slice of your favorite cake or pie that is so tasty that it will wrap your senses in a warm hug! 

And now for the great debate…

If the table had both a cake and a pie, which would you grab first and why?