McDonald’s Desserts: What You Need to Know Before Ordering

While McDonald’s is most famous for its burgers and golden fries, they also carry a few signature desserts. With choices ranging from cookies to ice cream, the McDonald’s dessert menu has something sweet for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- McDonald’s desserts include sundaes, shakes, cookies, blended ice cream (McFlurry), and baked apple pie, which is vegan.
- In addition, McDonald’s features seasonal and holiday desserts like the Shamrock Shake and the Holiday Pie.
- McDonald’s desserts typically cost between $1 and $4 and range from 170 to 840 calories.
In this article, we’ll dive into each item on the McDonald’s dessert menu, including the fan-favorite seasonal specials.
What Desserts Does McDonald’s Have?
McDonald’s has a variety of dessert options to satisfy your sweet tooth. McDonald’s desserts include several ice cream options, sundaes, shakes and cookies, and pies.
Let’s take a closer look at dessert options on the McDonald’s menu.
1. McFlurry With Oreo Cookies
If you can’t decide between cookies and ice cream, you should try the McDonald’s McFlurry with Oreo.
This dessert combines vanilla soft serve with crunchy Oreo pieces.
McFlurry with Oreo comes in a regular or a snack size and contains common allergens of milk and soy.
2. McFlurry With M&M’s
The McFlurry with M&M’s is the ultimate candy dessert.
It starts with the vanilla soft serve and adds swirls of M&M’s chocolate candies.
McDonald’s McFlurry with M&M’s comes in a regular or snack size.
The common allergens found in this dessert are milk, wheat, and soy.
3. Vanilla Cone
The Vanilla Cone is a simple yet delicious way to satisfy your hunger and sweet tooth.
It features McDonald’s creamy vanilla soft serve in a crisp sugar cone.
The common allergens in the McDonald’s Vanilla Cone are milk and wheat.
This dessert comes in one size only.
4. Chocolate Shake
The Chocolate Shake is McDonald’s soft-serve ice cream blended with chocolate syrup and finished with whipped topping.
The common allergen found in the McDonald’s Chocolate Shake is milk. This dessert comes in small, medium, or large sizes.
5. Vanilla Shake
You can’t go wrong with a classic vanilla shake. McDonald’s Vanilla Shake combines creamy vanilla soft serve with whipped topping to create a satisfyingly cool treat.
The common allergen found in the McDonald’s Vanilla Shake is milk. This dessert comes in small, medium, or large sizes.
6. Strawberry Shake
McDonald’s Strawberry Shake is made from a vanilla soft serve blended with strawberry syrup.
This sweet combo is then topped with creamy whipped topping.
Strawberry Shake comes in small, medium, or large sizes.
The common allergen found in this dessert is milk.
7. Hot Fudge Sundae
For a decadent combination, there’s McDonald’s Hot Fudge Sundae.
Creamy vanilla soft serve ice cream is smothered in hot chocolate fudge that can satisfy any sweet tooth.
The Hot Fudge Sundae can also be ordered without chocolate sauce for a plain sundae.
The common allergens found in the Hot Fudge Sundae are milk and soy.
This dessert comes in one size only.
8. Hot Caramel Sundae
If you’re in the mood for a hot and cold combo but not for chocolate, you can try McDonald’s Hot Caramel Sundae instead.
This dessert combines the vanilla soft serve with a warm, buttery caramel topping.
The Hot Caramel Sundae can also be ordered without caramel sauce for a plain sundae.
The Hot Caramel Sundae comes in one size only and contains milk.
9. Baked Apple Pie
McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie is undeniably unique and delicious.
It uses 100% American-grown apples, baked to perfection with a lattice crust and topped with sugar sprinkles.
Baked Apple Pie can be eaten on the go, although McDonald’s suggests pairing it with a Hot Caramel Sundae for the ultimate sweet treat.
Baked Apple Pie comes as a single pie and contains wheat.
10. Chocolate Chip Cookie
A McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Cookie is always a good idea!
Loaded with chocolate chips, soft-baked, and perfectly warmed, these chocolate chip cookies know how to hit the spot.
This dessert comes as a single cookie, in a 2-cookie pack, a 3-cookie pack, or a 13-cookie tote.
McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Cookies contain egg, milk, soy, and wheat.
How Many Calories Are in McDonald’s Desserts?
A single chocolate chip cookie is the lowest calorie item on the McDonald’s dessert menu, with only 170 calories, while a large Strawberry Shake is the highest at 840 calories.
The range of calories means there’s a dessert option to follow any sized meal.
Below is the list of desserts at McDonald’s and their calories:
McDonald’s Dessert | Calories | Size |
McFlurry With Oreo Cookies | 510 | Regular |
McFlurry With M&M’s | 640 | Regular |
Vanilla Cone | 200 | One Size |
Chocolate Shake | 620 | Medium |
Vanilla Shake | 610 | Medium |
Strawberry Shake | 620 | Medium |
Hot Fudge Sundae | 330 | One Size |
Hot Caramel Sundae | 330 | One Size |
Baked Apple Pie | 230 | One Size |
Chocolate Chip Cookie | 170 | One Size |
McFlurry with Oreo Cookies comes in two sizes. The regular size has 510 calories, while the snack size has 340 calories.
McFlurry with M&M’s also comes in two sizes. The regular size has 640 calories, and the snack size has 420 calories.
Vanilla Cone comes in one size only and has 200 calories.
All McDonald’s shakes (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry) come in three sizes.
On average, a small size shake has 530 calories, a medium size has 620 calories, and a large size has 840 calories.
The sundaes come in one size and have 330 calories.
A McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie also comes in one size and has 230 calories.
Finally, a single cookie has 170 calories and is the lowest-calorie item on the McDonald’s dessert menu.
How Much Do Desserts Cost at McDonald’s?
On average, McDonald’s desserts cost between $1 and $4. A single cookie is the most affordable option at around $0.99, while both McFlurry options cost the most at about $3.89 for regular size.
The following chart shows the average cost of McDonald’s desserts. Prices may vary by location.
McDonald’s Dessert | Price | Size |
McFlurry With Oreo Cookies | $3.89 | Regular |
McFlurry With M&M’s | $3.89 | Regular |
Vanilla Cone | $1.69 | One Size |
Chocolate Shake | $3.99 | Medium |
Vanilla Shake | $3.99 | Medium |
Strawberry Shake | $3.99 | Medium |
Hot Fudge Sundae | $2.99 | One Size |
Hot Caramel Sundae | $2.99 | One Size |
Baked Apple Pie | $1.39 | One Size |
Chocolate Chip Cookie | $0.99 | Single Cookie |
The regular-size McFlurry with Oreo Cookies and the McFlurry with M&M’s cost around $3.89, while a snack-size costs approximately $2.89.
The Vanilla Cone comes in one size and costs about $1.69.
The medium size of McDonald’s shakes (Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry) cost around $3.99.
Both sundaes (Hot fudge, Caramel) come in one size and cost about $2.99.
The McDonald’s Apple Pie comes in one size and typically costs $1.39.
Lastly, a single McDonald’s chocolate chip cookie costs around $0.99.
Cookies are also sold in multi-packs for a bargain deal.
A 2-pack of Chocolate Chip Cookies costs around $1.89, and a 13-cookie tote costs $6.19.
Does McDonald’s Have Holiday Desserts?
McDonald’s most popular holiday dessert is the Shamrock Shake, which has been a crowd favorite for over 50 years. The Holiday Pie also makes an appearance near Christmas at select locations.
The Shamrock Shake first made its debut on St. Patrick’s Day in 1967. Since then, it has returned every year in February.
Not only does this green dessert celebrate the holiday, but it has become associated with Spring being just around the corner.
While the Shamrock Shake has not lost any fans, the idea has recently carried over to the famous McFlurry.
Since 2020, the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry has made a seasonal appearance alongside the classic shake.
Another holiday dessert favorite is the McDonald’s Holiday Pie.
Made in the same fashion as the Apple Pie, the Holiday Pie features a creamy vanilla custard filling with a flaky crust glazed with sugar and topped with rainbow sprinkles.
McDonald’s frequently features other limited-time flavors, including seasonal specials, holiday specials, and even desserts that reflect the regional cuisine in McDonald’s restaurants around the world.
Special desserts, including holiday desserts, may only be available at select restaurants.
#FBF to that time two weeks ago when we launched the OREO® Shamrock McFlurry®. Happy birthday @OREO! #NationalOREODay pic.twitter.com/lAP91HHqji
— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) March 6, 2020
Are There Any Vegan Desserts at McDonald’s?
Although most McDonald’s desserts are cream-based, vegans can still enjoy the McDonald’s Apple Pie, which is made without dairy or other animal products.
The ingredients used in McDonald’s Apple Pie are as follows:
- Apples
- Enriched Flour
- Sugar
- Palm Oil
- Water
- Apple Juice Concentrate,
- Modified Food Starch
- Invert Syrup
It also contains 2% or Less:
- Yeast
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Sunflower Lecithin, L-cysteine (Dough Conditioner)
- Yeast Extract
- Enzyme
- Beta-carotene (Color)
There is wheat in this dessert; however, it does not contain other common allergens like dairy, soy, eggs, or tree nuts.
Can You Order McDonald’s Desserts Online?
You can order McDonald’s desserts online for pickup or delivery. Pickup can be ordered through the McDonald’s mobile app, while delivery can be ordered through the app, website, or directly through a third-party delivery service.
Using the McDonald’s mobile app is the easiest way to order online.
It gives you access to exclusive coupons and deals while letting you earn MyMcDonald’s rewards points that can be used to get free menu items.
However, coupons and deals can only be used for pickup orders since delivery is fulfilled through a third-party service.
McDelivery ordered through the McDonald’s app is fulfilled by UberEats.
To choose a different delivery service, you can order through the McDonald’s website or directly through your chosen delivery service.
Regardless of how you order, delivery fees typically fall between $0.99 and $5.99.
All McDonald’s desserts can be ordered online, though the vanilla cone can only be ordered for pickup.
Before ordering a dessert for delivery, keep in mind that any ice cream dessert may begin to melt before your delivery is received.
What Is the Best Dessert at McDonald’s?
The best dessert at McDonald’s will depend on your mood, but our vote is for the signature Oreo McFlurry. It satisfies cravings for ice cream and cookies at the same time.
In addition, having two sizes to choose from means you can treat yourself whenever the mood strikes.
The McFlurry with Oreo Cookies combines two dessert favorites – creamy soft serve vanilla ice cream and crunchy Oreo cookies.
It comes in a regular size and a smaller snack size.
With the perfect balance between chocolate and vanilla, there’s no wonder why the McFlurry has been a fan favorite since 1997.
Conclusion
McDonald’s has a diverse and affordable dessert menu that can satisfy any sweet tooth. There are many ice cream dishes, the classic apple pie, and warm chocolate chip cookies.
Alongside the regular dessert menu, you may also come across specials such as the Shamrock Shake or the Holiday Pie.
If you’re looking for more tips about McDonald’s, check out these articles.
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