October 7 National Fluffernutter Day #FluffernutterDay
National Fluffernutter Day falls on October 8th, when people fondly pay homage to the childhood sandwich of Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Fluff squished between two slices of White Bread. The Fluffernutter holds a special place in the childhood memories of many New Englanders and the Fluffernutter is memorialized by its own special day on the calendar.
Although Marshmallows date back to the Roman Empire, the Marshmallow and its culinary cousins, Marshmallow Cream and Fluff, were used as homeopathic remedies in the 1800s. But the Marshmallow Fluff associated with the world-famous Fluffernutter was first whipped up by Archibald Query of Sommerville, Massachusetts in 1917. Archibald made batches of Fluff in his kitchen and sold it door to door until Sugar shortages and rationing during World War I brought Fluff sales to a not-so-sweet halt.
After the War ended, two candlemakers joined Archie as partners in 1920 and renamed the original recipe “Toot Sweet Marshmallow Fluff.” Archie sold his recipe to partners H. Allen Durkee and Fred L. Mower for $500 on May 14th, 1920, who shortened their product’s name to Marshmallow Fluff.
Sales of Fluff under the Durkee-Mower, Inc. brand increased over the next decade. In 1930 the company sponsored a 15-minute radio variety show, “The Flufferettes,” to market their popular confection. As demand for gooey sweet Fluff grew, the company released “The Yummy Book” cookbook in 1940 with recipes using Fluff.
The big break endearing the famous Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Fluff Sandwich into hearts and kitchens across New England came in the 1960s when Durkee-Mower, Inc. trademarked “Fluffernutter,” the name of the most famous culinary concoction using Fluff.
2006 was a big year for the Fluffernutter when a proposal was made in the Massachusetts State Assembly to make Fluffernutter the official Sandwich of Massachusetts. That same year Fluffernutter became a new Brigham’s Ice Cream flavor. The State Sandwich proposal failed, but the Ice Cream was a hit and the first festival celebrating Marshmallow Fluff was held that Summer.
National Fluffernutter Day Activities
- Take the opportunity to pass on your love of sweet and nutty traditions to the next generation by surprising the kids with a Fluffernutter dinner. Everyone makes their own Fluffernutter “entrée”. Invite your friends and family to join in the delicious nuttiness.
- The Fluff formula is a well-beaten mixture of Corn Syrup, Sugar Syrup, Vanilla flavor and Egg Whites. Or you could search online for “Homemade Marshmallow Fluff recipes.”
- If you have the chance today take a tray of Fluffernutters to the office today instead of the usual boring Doughnuts.
Facts About Fluffernutter
- Marshmallow Fluff is available in most of the United States and in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Holland, Israel, South Africa, Belgium, and even the UAE.
- Marshmallow Fluff requires no refrigeration even though it still contains no preservative of any kind which kind of makes us wonder if it is related to that other 1960s sensation that is rumored to have an eternal shelf life, the Hostess Twinkie.
- Did you know in 1966 a recipe was co-promoted with the Kellogg Company pairing Rice Krispies Cereal and Marshmallow Fluff to create Rice Krispies Treats, another childhood favorite of kids around the world.
- In 1917, Archibald Query of Sommerville, Massachusetts, whips up the first batch of Marshmallow Fluff in his kitchen and sells it door-to-door
- Every year, Massachusetts holds their “What the Fluff” festival, specifically to celebrate Marshmallow Fluff. To bad were so far away or I would have taken David and Charlie to see what all the fuss is about. Road Trip anyone?
Why We Love National Fluffernutter Day
- Most people love remembering opening there school lunchbox to discover a gooey sweet Fluffernutter on (gasp!) white Wonder Bread. Talk about trade value! You could trade one Fluffernutter for at least two homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies and a bag of Potato Chips…if you were willing to trade.
- I you were not fortunate enough to enjoy a Fluffernutter as a child, today take the opportunity today to try a Fluffernutter and you may find your new favorite comfort food.
- Knowing that Fluffernutter survived Wars, recessions, depressions, and government eating healthy guidelines makes us smile and it’s comforting to know some things never change.
Prep-Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Yield:1 sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup marshmallow crème (such as Marshmallow Fluff)
Directions
- Make sandwich: Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread. Spread marshmallow crème on the second slice of bread. Close the sandwich together so that the peanut butter and marshmallow crème are together in the middle of the sandwich.
- Ingredients 2 slices white bread 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup marshmallow crème (such as Marshmallow Fluff) Directions
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
