It’s been a stressful couple of months, okay? Whether you need to satisfy your ever-present sweet tooth or you just need to treat yourself, we’ve got the ultimate list for you. Pair any one of these cheap fast food desserts with your dinner, or eat it all on its own. But trust us, you’ll want to bookmark this list for the next time a sweet craving hits.
McDonald’s – Ice Cream Sundae
There’s nothing extraordinary about McDonald’s Ice Cream Sundae – and that’s what we love about it. It’s a combination of just two ingredients, vanilla soft serve and hot fudge. No fuss, no frill – just the good stuff. Its simplicity is what makes it the perfect pairing to any meal, but it’s just as refreshing on its own. To spice things up, order a small fry and dip them into the sundae – we swear, there’s nothing better.
McDonald’s – Baked Apple Pie
McDonald’s isn’t to be the first place I think of when I’m looking for a delicious baked good, but their Baked Apple Pie deserves all the accolades. It’s been on the menu for what seems like an eternity, and I sincerely hope that never changes. It’s the ultimate comfort food, and the apples make me feel slightly less guilty when I order three pies at once.
Starbucks – Twix Frappuccino
Technically, Starbucks Twix Frappuccino is a part of their secret menu, but that doesn’t mean the world shouldn’t know about it. This dessert drink is packed with sugary goodness and actually does taste like the liquid form of the candy bar. To order one, just ask for a Caramel Frappuccino with, 1-2 pumps caramel syrup, 1-2 pumps hazelnut syrup, java chips, caramel sauce, mocha drizzle, and whipped cream, blended in. You can even pair it with a cookie on the side to give it that authentic crunch.
Taco Bell – Cinnamon Twists
If you’ve never ordered 12 tacos, a cheese quesadilla, a Baja Blast, and cinnamon twists after midnight, you haven’t lived. Enjoying an order or two of Cinnamon Twists is the perfect way to cleanse your palate after stuffing your face with your favorite Taco Bell snacks. They’re light, crunchy, and nobody knows why they taste good – they just do.
Burger King – French Toast Sticks
BK’s French Toast Sticks are the star of the breakfast menu, but if you ask us, they’re more of a dessert than a morning meal. These sugar-soaked French Toast Sticks are greasy, indulgent, and dunkable – what could be better?
Popeyes – Mardi Gras Cheesecake
Popeyes desserts don’t stick around for long. The fast food chain typically introduces a dessert for a limited time, and once it’s removed from the menu, another one comes along. We’ve seen mini red velvet cake cups, cheesecake, and pies, but we have to say that our all-time favorite is the Mardi Gras Cheesecake. It’s a classic cheesecake, but it’s topped with sugary confetti that just makes you want to party.
Dunkin – Sprinkle Donut
Can’t you just taste it? There’s nothing quite as satisfying as biting into a fresh, fluffy donut with icing and rainbow sprinkles. No matter how old you are, it never fails to bring back feelings of youth. Ah, simpler times.
Chick-Fil-A – Frosted Coffee
Chick-Fil-A’s dessert lineup is completely underrated. From shakes to Frosted Lemonades and Coffees to the Chocolate Chunk Cookie and Icedream Cone, it’s hard for me to choose which one is the best. But since I’m a diehard coffee-aholic, I have to go with their Frosted Coffee. It’s a blend of coffee and Icecream soft serve, but it’s not as sugary as it sounds. The coffee flavor is definitely dominant, so don’t order this one unless you’re a big coffee drinker.
Subway – Cookies
Subway cookies are a hidden gem. They have the ideal texture – just gooey enough, and they always taste fresh. They typically rotate through which flavors they serve, including Double Chocolate, Rainbow Candy Chip, Chocolate Chunk, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. If you’re in the mood for a classic fast food dessert, Subway’s cookies are a no-fail option.
Sonic – Double Stuf’ Oreo Waffle Cone
Sonic’s Oreo Cone is a specialty dessert that only comes around every so often. When it does, you can find me in the drive-through line more often than not because this one seriously delicious ice cream cone. But it’s more than that – it’s a masterpiece. The cone is made from Oreo cookies, while the ice cream resembles the creamy, vanilla flavor of an Oreo’s stuffing. Plus, there’s Oreo pieces in the ice cream, so it doesn’t get much better than that.
Burger King – Hershey’s Sundae Pie
Ice-cold and velvety, Burger King’s Hershey’s Sundae Pie is pure bliss for chocolate lovers. It all starts with a crunchy chocolate cookie crust piled high with a cream cheese and chocolate crème filling. Generous dollops of sweet whipped topping sprinkled with Hershey’s chocolate chips finish off the masterpiece. And you’ll finish it off too, probably in record time, because it’s just that delicious.
Dairy Queen – Blizzard
You can’t possibly go wrong with a DQ Blizzard for dessert. Featuring 15 different flavors, you could stop in once a week all summer and experience a new and tasty treat each time. You’ve got your Oreo and your Cookie Dough, your Banana Split, and your Strawberry Cheesecake. If you love good old classic candy bars, you’ll adore the Butterfinger, Heath, Snickers, or M&Ms Blizzard. The Turtle Pecan Cluster is sweet ’n’ nutty, and the Salted Caramel Truffle is sweet ’n’ salty. If chocolate is your go-to favorite, you’ll want to order the Brownie Batter Blizzard – trust us, it’s to-die-for (when it’s on the menu, of course).
A&W – Root Beer Float
Another All-American classic, the famous A&W Root Beer Float is a bubbly, creamy treat that feels nostalgic with every sip/bite. Sweet vanilla ice cream melts slowly in a glass of ice-cold root beer as you dig your way down. The minute this float is gone, you’ll want another, which is why we recommend you enjoy your treat in-house.
Sonic – Hand-Mixed Classic Shake
Summer isn’t summer until you’ve had your first Sonic shake of the season. Sonic’s Classic Shakes are made with real ice cream and hand-mixed with one of eight flavors. The result is a thick, creamy, ice-cold concoction that goes beautifully with a little (or big!) snack of fries. Plus, Sonic hosts half-price happy hour where you can get snacks and other menu items for less.
Jack in the Box – Mini Churros
If you’ve ever had a churro at a carnival, Jack in the Box’s bite-sized dessert will take you down memory lane. The crispy, crunchy, and cinnamon-filled goodness of this little is the perfect way to finish off a meal or get your sugar fix. Mini Churros are available in a five-piece box or a 10-piece.
Once you satisfy your sweet tooth, you’ll need to take care of those salty and savory cravings too. Here are the 10 Best Fast Food Joints for Every Craving.