If you have a sweet tooth, Sunday is your day.
Oct. 14 is National Dessert Day, which makes for the perfect excuse to look for sweet savings on high-calorie sugary treats.
According to Ranker.com, a crowdsourcing rankings website, the top five “most delicious desserts” are: ice cream, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, cake and chocolate.
The website also ranked the best fast-food desserts. Dairy Queen’s Blizzard was the fan favorite, followed by Wendy’s Frosty and McDonald’s McFlurry.
But unlike recent made-up “holidays” like National Cheeseburger Day and National Coffee Day, there are not a lot of deals specific for Sunday.
Luckily, you can get free desserts throughout the year when you join many restaurant rewards programs.
More: Best October deals: Bargainista’s guide to the month’s freebies and savings
More: National Savings Day 2018: Saving money doesn’t have to be impossible, but does take work
More: Dunkin’ announces limited-time specials plus new Halloween and Oreo doughnuts
The deals
Here are the best deals and ongoing specials, available at participating locations. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out.
Baskin-Robbins: Download the app for a free scoop of ice cream. In October, small Cappuccino Blasts are $2.99.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Through Halloween, the chain’s Pizookie dessert will be $3 each, which is more than half off the regular price. No minimum purchase is required. New members of the chain’s rewards program also get a coupon for a free Pizookie for signing up www.bjsrestaurants.com.
Carvel: Join the Fudgie Fanatics email club for savings.
Cinnabon: Sign up for Club Cinnabon and get a coupon for a free Minibon.
Cold Stone Creamery: Join My Cold Stone Club Rewards and get a buy one, get one free Creation coupon loaded to your account.
Culver’s: Create a MyCulver’s account and get a free scoop.
Dairy Queen: Through Sunday, with an offer in the chain’s mobile app get buy-one-get-one free sundaes. Find other deals in the app and for a limited time, download the Dairy Queen app and register for an account and get a free small Blizzard treat at participating locations. Limit one offer per person per visit.
Godiva: Get 15 percent off Patisserie Dessert Truffle Flights online or at participating boutique locations.
Krispy Kreme: Join the chain’s reward program and get a free doughnut of your choice.
McDonald’s: The fast-food chain’s app has ongoing coupons. Download the app at www.mcdonalds.com.
Olive Garden: Get a free appetizer or dessert with purchase of two entree and a coupon you’ll get for signing up for emails.
Panera Bread: Earn rewards for your purchases and get a birthday freebie with the MyPanera loyalty program. Sign up at www.panerabread.com.
Sonic Drive-In: Find deals at www.sonicdrivein.com/deals and download the Sonic app for a free slush or drink at www.sonicdrivein.com/app. Also with the app, get drinks and slushes for half price when you order ahead.
Starbucks: Earn free drinks with the Starbucks Rewards program and get perks including free in-store refills and a birthday freebie. Learn more and register at www.starbucks.com.
Steak ‘n Shake: Find savings, learn more about half-price happy hour and join the rewards program at www.steaknshake.com.
sweetFrog: Join the chain’s loyalty program at www.sweetfrog.com/loyalty for discounts.
TGI Fridays: Join the rewards program and choose a free appetizer or dessert.
TooJay’s: Get slices of cake for half-price with any purchase Sunday for dine-in and take-out orders.
Wendy’s: Get special offers with the chain’s smartphone app.
More: 10 must-have kitchen items if you love baking
More: The Best Ice Cream Makers of 2018
More: Halloween tip: Ranking the best town to trick-or-treat in every state
Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista, follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko and email her at kelly.tyko@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her weekly newsletter at www.tcpalm.com/newsletters.
