National Dessert Day 2025 Complete Guide To Free Desserts And Sweet Deals

National Dessert Day, celebrated annually on October 14, presents an opportunity for dessert enthusiasts across the United States to indulge in their favorite treats without breaking the bank. This special day has become a significant event in the food retail calendar, with numerous restaurants, dessert shops, and food service establishments offering special promotions, freebies, and discounts. From free cookies and donuts to half-price cheesecakes and buy-one-get-one-free deals, National Dessert Day 2025 promises a variety of sweet opportunities for consumers.

When is National Dessert Day?

National Dessert Day is consistently observed on October 14 each year. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Tuesday. This annual event has established itself as a notable occasion in the food industry, prompting businesses to offer special deals to attract customers and celebrate the sweet side of life. The day encompasses all types of desserts, including cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, ice cream, and any treat that satisfies a sweet tooth.

Free Dessert Offers with No Purchase Required

While many National Dessert Day deals require a minimum purchase, several establishments offer complimentary desserts with qualifying transactions:

• Krispy Kreme: Rewards members can receive a free Halloween Trick-or-Treat Doughnut with any purchase through October 31, 2025. This offer can be redeemed by ordering online or through the Krispy Kreme app, or by showing the in-app barcode when purchasing in-store. The limit is one free doughnut per rewards member.

• Cinnabon: Customers can enjoy a free Center of the Roll when purchasing any beverage through the Cinnabon app. This offer is available for pickup or delivery at participating locations.

• White Castle: Patrons can get a free dessert on a stick by using a promo code when ordering online or through the White Castle app.

• Dippin' Dots: This frozen treat retailer offers a special discount with a promo code for online orders during National Dessert Day.

• Jack in the Box: Customers receive free mini churros with any purchase at participating locations.

• Taco John's: Rewards members can get a free churro or Mexican Donut Bites with any purchase of $1 or more.

• Del Taco: Del Yeah! Rewards members are entitled to two free cinnamon mini churros.

• Taco Cabana: My TC! Rewards members can receive free small Sopapillas when purchasing two or more tacos on October 14, 2025.

• KFC: Rewards members can enjoy a free dessert with any in-app purchase at participating locations.

• Long John Silver's: Seacret Society members receive a free slice of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Bakery with the purchase of a family meal.

• Popeyes: On October 14, 2025, customers can get a free chocolate chip cookie with any purchase of $5 or more.

• Bar Louie: Customers receive a free dessert bar with any catering order.

BOGO (Buy One Get One) Dessert Deals

Many establishments leverage buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) promotions to attract customers during National Dessert Day:

• Nothing Bundt Cakes: Customers can score a BOGO free Bundtlet when using promo code OCTBOGO25 at online checkout. For in-store purchases, customers can simply show their email barcode at the bakery. The offer is limited to one coupon per guest and is valid at participating locations through Sunday, October 19, 2025.

• Fazoli's: This Italian restaurant chain is offering buy-one-get-one-free Italian Donuts from October 14-19, 2025. The promotion can be redeemed online or in-store at participating locations using promo code SWEET25.

• Taco Cabana: Rewards members can enjoy buy-one-get-one-free on desserts including Tajín mango fried pie, sopapillas, Boom! cookies, and churros.

• Friendly's: The restaurant chain is offering a buy-one-get-one promotion on seasonal Fribbles, with the second one at 50% off.

• Beef O'Brady's: Customers can enjoy half off a dessert with any purchase at participating locations.

• Perkins American Food Co: This establishment is offering a buy-three-get-one-free deal on their holiday donuts. Available flavors include Original Glazed, Wildberry Pie, and Apple Fritter, as well as the Apple Fritter à la Mode, which is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Freebirds World Burrito: While specific details for 2025 are not yet confirmed, historical patterns suggest a BOGO deal with a promo code can be expected for the 2026 celebration.

Discounted Dessert Offers

Numerous businesses provide discounted desserts specifically for National Dessert Day:

• The Cheesecake Factory: Rewards members can enjoy any dessert for half price from October 13-16, 2025. This offer is valid for dine-in, pickup, or orders placed through DoorDash, provided customers are signed up for the rewards program.

• Dairy Queen: DQ app users can receive $1 off any Blizzard Treat or dipped cone throughout the week of National Dessert Day. Participation may vary by location, so customers should check the app for local availability and participating stores.

• Baskin-Robbins: Customers can get $2 off any sundae or milkshake when ordering through the Baskin-Robbins app. The offer is available for pickup or delivery at participating shops.

• Beef-A-Roo: All desserts are priced at just $1 on October 14, 2025, at participating locations.

• Bruster's Ice Cream: Customers can enjoy $2 off sundaes on October 14, 2025, only.

• Buster's Ice Cream: In celebration of National Dessert Day, Buster's Ice Cream is offering $2 off sundaes.

• Red Robin: The restaurant chain is offering monster milkshakes (vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry) for just $4 with a refill option.

• Gopuff: While specific details for 2025 are not yet confirmed, historical patterns suggest a discount on Doughlicious products can be expected for the 2026 celebration.

App-Specific Dessert Deals

Many National Dessert Day promotions are accessible exclusively through mobile applications:

• Dairy Queen: As mentioned, $1 off Blizzard Treats or dipped cones is available through the DQ app. The app also helps users locate participating stores.

• Baskin-Robbins: The $2 discount on sundaes and milkshakes is exclusively available through the Baskin-Robbins app for pickup or delivery orders.

• Cinnabon: The free Center of the Roll offer requires a beverage purchase made through the Cinnabon app.

• White Castle: Free dessert on a stick is available with a promo code entered through the White Castle app or website.

• Dippin' Dots: A special discount is available with a promo code for online orders placed through their digital platforms.

• McAlister's Deli: Free dessert offers are accessible through the McAlister's app for rewards members.

Rewards Program Member Exclusive Offers

Several businesses limit their National Dessert Day promotions to members of their rewards programs:

• The Cheesecake Factory: The half-price dessert offer is exclusively available to Cheesecake Rewards® members.

• Crumbl Cookies: Rewards members can receive a free cookie with any 4-pack purchase. With weekly rotating flavors like pumpkin cheesecake and caramel apple, it presents an opportunity to try something new.

• McAlister's Deli: Rewards members can enjoy a free dessert with any purchase of $5 or more from October 14-20, 2025. New members who sign up between October 8-14, 2025, receive this offer with a $5+ purchase (excluding taxes and fees). The offer is single-use and cannot be combined with other offers or third-party delivery.

• KFC: Free dessert with any in-app purchase is available exclusively for Rewards members.

• Taco Cabana: BOGO deals on desserts are available only for My TC! Rewards members.

• Popeyes: The free chocolate chip cookie offer is available to rewards members.

• Del Taco: Two free cinnamon mini churros are available exclusively for Del Yeah! Rewards members.

• Long John Silver's: Free cheesecake with family meal purchase is available only for Seacret Society members.

• Taco John's: Free churro or Mexican Donut Bites are available for rewards members with any $1+ purchase.

• Beef O'Brady's: Half off dessert requires participation in the restaurant's rewards program.

How to Maximize Your National Dessert Day Savings

To fully capitalize on National Dessert Day promotions, consumers should consider the following strategies:

1. Join Rewards Programs in Advance: Many offers are exclusive to rewards members. For instance, McAlister's Deli allows new members to sign up between October 8-14 to receive the dessert promotion.

2. Download Relevant Apps: Several offers, including those from Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, and Cinnabon, require the use of mobile applications to access discounts or free items.

3. Plan Ahead: Some offers have specific dates outside of October 14. For example, Nothing Bundt Cakes' BOGO promotion runs through October 19, 2025, while Tijuana Flats' offer extends through October 18.

4. Check for Minimum Purchase Requirements: Many offers require minimum purchase amounts, such as McAlister's Deli's $5 minimum or Taco Cabana's requirement to purchase two or more tacos.

5. Verify Local Participation: While many national chains participate in National Dessert Day, individual store participation may vary. Checking with local locations beforehand can prevent disappointment.

6. Combine Offers When Possible: Some promotions, like McAlister's Deli, allow for single-use offers that cannot be combined with other discounts. Understanding these limitations helps maximize value.

Tips for Finding Additional Deals

Beyond the offers explicitly mentioned in the sources, consumers can discover additional National Dessert Day deals through:

1. Checking Social Media: Many businesses announce last-minute promotions through their social media channels.

2. Email Subscriptions: Customers who have subscribed to email lists from their favorite dessert establishments may receive exclusive offers.

3. Loyalty Program Communications: Rewards members often receive special promotions via email or in-app notifications.

4. Local Bakery Promotions: Independent bakeries and dessert shops may offer their own National Dessert Day specials not covered by national chains.

5. Food Delivery Apps: Services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub may feature National Dessert Day deals or promotions through their platforms.

Conclusion

National Dessert Day 2025 offers numerous opportunities for dessert enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite treats at reduced costs or even for free. From free cookies and donuts to half-price cheesecakes and BOGO deals, the variety of promotions spans across restaurant chains, dessert shops, and fast-food establishments across the United States.

Key takeaways include the importance of joining rewards programs in advance, downloading relevant mobile applications, and verifying local participation before heading out. While many offers are available on October 14 specifically, several promotions extend beyond this single day, providing additional opportunities for indulgence.

As with any promotional event, terms and conditions apply, and participation may vary by location. Consumers are encouraged to check with specific establishments for confirmation of offers and any restrictions that may apply. By planning ahead and taking advantage of the various promotions available, National Dessert Day 2025 can be a sweet celebration without straining the budget.

Sources

1. National Dessert Day Freebies & Deals
2. Free Stuff Finder - National Dessert Day
3. Passionate Penny Pincher - National Dessert Day
4. The Freebie Guy - National Dessert Day
5. The Krazy Coupon Lady - National Dessert Day
6. Merca20 - National Dessert Day 2025