We all know that once Thanksgiving moves out of the way (or even before — sorry Thanksgiving fans), restaurants cue the holiday menu additions. Steaming peppermint mochas, red and green M&M cookies, and Christmas-themed Blizzard flavors become holiday staples we all look forward to getting on December 1st (or sooner — again, sorry Thanksgiving fans).
While coffee chains seem to get much of the seasonal flavor attention, fast food chains are also dropping limited-edition menu items that you will not want to miss. Whether you are looking for a finals study break pick-me-up or an ordinary afternoon treat on the coldest days, fast food chains like Chick-Fil-A, Wendy’s and McDonald’s are all offering seasonal treats that you will have to try before the new year.
Here are the top seven fast food chains offering sweet treats this holiday season.
Chick-fil-A’s Peppermint Shake
First things first, if you haven’t yet gotten a peppermint milkshake from Chick-Fil-A, 1) where have you been, and 2) drive yourself there ASAP to get yourself one.
In addition to the Peppermint Chip milkshake, the Peppermint Chip Frosted Coffee and the Peppermint Iced Coffee also returned to the menu Nov. 10
Wendy’s Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion
A new addition from previous years, Wendy’s launched its Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion November 3, and it will only stick around through the holiday season. The nostalgic drink starts with Wendy’s Vanilla Frosty and is then blended with a snickerdoodle sauce and finished with cookie crumbles.
Customers can also order the menu item as a Snickerdoodle Frosty Swirl.
Burger King’s 13 Days of Deals
Starting December 12, Burger King is rewarding customers through its app with 13 days of deals leading to Christmas. Fortunately for those of us with a sweet tooth, plenty of these deals involve treats.
All with purchases over $5, customers can get the following sweet treat deals: a free Hershey’s sundae pie December 12, a free soft serve cup or cone December 13, a free frozen cotton candy beverage December 15, and two free cookies December 24.
Dairy Queen’s Peppermint and Sugar Cookie Blizzards
With the colder temperature, your first thought for a sweet treat may not be a DQ Blizzard. But let me convince you otherwise, because their December flavors are worth the freezing fingers.
DQ’s holiday menu features nationwide offerings including a Peppermint Bark Blizzard, a Frozen Sugar Cookie Blizzard and a Holiday Nog Shake. Custom items available at select stores also include Snowman and Santa cupcakes and a Festive Dipped Cone.
Sonic’s Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake
Although Chick-fil-A’s Peppermint Shake is worth all the hype, Sonic’s Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake is definitely worth a mention.
The holiday shake features creamy vanilla soft serve mixed with brownie pieces and crushed peppermints, and it is topped with whipped topping, more crushed peppermints and a cherry.
Krispy Kreme’s Peanuts Doughnut Collection
If you grew up with the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack playing all throughout December like I did, this holiday drop will feel particularly nostalgic. The Krispy Kreme X Peanuts Collection is as adorable as it is tasty.
The Collection includes five doughnuts inspired by Charlie Brown’s group — a Snoopy Cookies and Kreme Doughnut, a Charlie Brown Ornament Doughnut, a Christmas Wreath Doughnut, the returning Santa Belly Doughnut and the Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles Doughnut. The holiday menu also includes a Peppermint Patty Mocha Latte (not a doughnut, to be clear).
McDonald’s Holiday Pies
McDonald’s is offering a treat unlike any other chain — their Holiday Pies are miniature flakey pastries filled with creamy custard.
The Pie first appeared on the holiday menu in 1999, and it has since become an annual menu staple during the months of November and December.
Dunkin’s Doughnuts and Coffee Drinks
Finishing off strong, Dunkin’ knows how to craft a holiday menu, and its sweet items are pulling their weight.
To start, Dunkin’ introduced Naughty and Nice Munchkins donut holes. Customers can order these in either the salted dark chocolate flavor or the holiday sprinkle flavor — no wrong choices. Additionally, Dunkin’s holiday menu includes the Cookie Butter Cloud Latte, the Toasted White Chocolate Iced Signature Latte and the Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte. Last, the chain offers an assortment of holiday donuts in addition to its Munchkins donut holes.