A sweet treat can turn a bad day around and make a good one great.
Since today (Wednesday, October 14, 2026) is National Dessert Day, it’s the perfect time to celebrate cakes, ice cream, donuts, cookies, and more.
Before looking at the sugar rush of deals that you can score today, let’s take a look at the history of a classic dessert, the chocolate chip cookie:
A brief history of the chocolate chip cookie
In the grand scheme of desserts, chocolate chip cookies are fairly modern inventions.
Many sources attribute the invention of the chocolate chip cookie to Ruth Wakefield. According to the “Gastropod” podcast hosted by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley, this is inaccurate.
One of the expert guests on the podcast, pastry chef and author Stella Parks, told the hosts that she found a 1928 newspaper article with a chocolate chip recipe that predated Wakefield’s version. The yummy cookies were also found in supermarkets before Wakefield got involved.
Despite probably not inventing the classic dessert, per se, Wakefield did help popularize it for the masses.
She and her husband opened the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, in 1930. Partly because of its location between Boston and Cape Cod, many celebrities such as Cole Porter, Joe DiMaggio, and Eleanor Roosevelt began frequenting its restaurant.
At that time, modern chocolate chips as we know them now did not exist.
Chocolate bars were broken into small pieces or “chipped” to make the necessary ingredient.
Nestle took notice of the increase in chocolate bar sales and approached Wakefield about her recipe. She allowed the company to print the instructions, and it became known as “Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies.”
Not too long after that, Nestle created the chocolate chips we know and love today, specifically for chocolate chip cookies.
As chocolate chip cookies got more popular, the lore around their origin took on a life of its own.
National Dessert Day deals
Now that we know how the cookie really crumbles, let’s take a look at some freebies, deals, and limited-time offerings.
MilkShake Factory
MilkShake Factory’s National Dessert Day deals will bring all the boys and the girls to the metaphysical yard—or, more accurately, its locations.
Grab a friend and take advantage of its BOGO deal. This is good not only for milkshakes, but also sundaes, floats, and molten cups.
7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes
Participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores are leaning into cozy fall vibes this National Dessert Day.
For a limited time only, stop in to enjoy 7-Select Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bites, 7-Select Pumpkin Cheesecake Snack Pies, 7-Select Pumpkin Cheese Danish, or 7-Select Pumpkin Donut Holes.
White Castle
White Castle’s National Dessert Day offering is good until October 19 and comes on a stick.
All you have to do is join the White Castle Craver Nation Rewards program, purchase a combo, and enter promo code DESSERT when you checkout online. The reward of a free Dessert-on-a-Stick is worth all the effort.
Kroger
Kroger wants to help you stock up on supplies to make an at-home dessert bar.
All you have to do is log in to your Kroger account online or in the Kroger app. Add items like Private Selection Gourmet Extreme Chocolate Decadent Brownies, Sea Salt Caramel Truffle Ice Cream, and Simple Truth Protein Soft Baked Espresso Mini Cookies to your cart.
You will find a coupon to clip and redeem for $30 off your first online order of $75 or more. This is valid now until October 20 at select Kroger locations for your first pickup or delivery order only.
Portillo’s
Do you love Oreos? Then head to Portillo’s. There you will find an Oreo shake, Oreo cake, and Oreo cake shake.
If you happen to be a perk member, from October 12 through the 18, you can even score a $1 Oreo cake slice with a purchase of $5 or more.
Wherever you plan to celebrate National Dessert Day, we hope the occasion is sweet.