In this article, we take a look at the 20 most popular desserts in America. If you would like to skip our detailed analysis of the US dessert industry and its emerging trends, you can go straight to the 5 Most Popular Desserts in America.
Desserts are essential to the American lifestyle, showcased by the dessert industry's market size. As reported by Grand View Research, the US's frozen dessert market had a valuation of $31 billion as of 2021, with the market size expected to grow by a CAGR of 4.6% up until 2030.
The global industry of the same, on the other hand, has a market value of $92 billion as of 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period of 2022-2030, according to Polaris Research. Globally speaking, the largest market for frozen desserts is located in North America, with Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) and General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) being some of the most prominent players in the industry.
As consumers begin paying more attention to their health and wellness, the dessert industry has received a higher demand for both low-fat as well as gluten-free products. The need for clean-label products is pushing corporations to adopt innovative methods in an attempt to grow their consumer base.
Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) owns two of the biggest names in the US ice cream industry, Ben & Jerry’s and Talenti. As occurrences of lactose intolerance grow, so does the demand for dairy-free products. In November of 2022, Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) announced that it would be looking into the production of ice cream free from cow dairy. The company is now delving into dairy proteins made via a process known as precision fermentation in order to appeal to a larger segment of the population as well as keep up with changing market trends.
The company also aims to reduce its carbon footprint through this process as a way to contribute to its broader goal of becoming net zero by 2039. Currently, its ice cream products contribute to 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions that Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) is responsible for. The giant corporation also plans to expand its ice cream sales in the coming years, especially by focusing on already established brands like Ben & Jerry’s.
General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) owns Häagen-Dazs, an ice cream brand revered not just in the US but worldwide. The corporation generated a revenue of $18.9 billion in 2022. General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has also updated its product portfolio with many items that are ‘organic’ and contribute to the growing demands for simplicity in food products.
They’re made from fewer and simpler ingredients yet attract a wide range of audience. Häagen-Dazs itself has made several innovations in trying to appeal to the growing demand for desserts as snacks, with the latest step being the introduction of butter cookie cones. The company has also moved into the yogurt aisle with the launch of yogurt products, ensuring they’re cashing in on all the latest market demands. Steps like these showcase that the company is trying to diversify its range and branch out from one product by offering some of the most popular desserts in America.
Players like Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT) have also upturned the global dessert market, selling 1.63 billion doughnuts globally in 2022. In the first quarter of the year 2023, the company’s net revenue grew 12.5%. The US market is a massive contributor to the overall growth of Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT). The CEO mentioned that the company’s campaigns for special events like Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, along with their specialty offerings, were the main drivers behind such a solid first quarter of the year.
In addition, Baron Growth Fund has made some interesting comments about Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT) in their Q2, 2023 investor letter:
“We continued to increase our holdings in Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT), an omni-channel manufacturer and retailer of doughnuts. Krispy Kreme sells its product through its owned and franchised doughnut shops, in grocery and convenience stores through its Delivered Fresh Daily (DFD) network, and via e-commerce in U.S. and non-U.S. markets. The company also owns Insomnia Cookies, a digital-first brand specializing in cookies and focused on young consumers.
Desserts have made their way into every part of the food industry, instead of being limited to specific dessert chains. In the restaurant world, around 60% of operators claim that they have made desserts a regular part of their menu as a means to drive sales and generate further profits. Companies like McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) and Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) sell a range of desserts alongside their regular menus in an attempt to offer the complete meal experience to their consumers. As the demand for desserts continues to heighten, along with an increased requirement for healthy alternatives, the dessert industry has multiple avenues to grow and innovate in the coming months of the year.
Let's now head over to the list of the most popular desserts in America.
20 Most Popular Desserts in America
Pixabay / Public Domain
Our Methodology
To devise the rankings for the most popular American desserts, we have taken a consensus approach based on mentions on Reddit. The more times a dessert was mentioned by a Redditor, the higher it has been ranked on the list. Based on the number of mentions, each dessert has been given a score from 1-20. Based on this factor, here is the list of the 20 most popular desserts in America according to our analysis:
Most Popular Desserts in the US:
20. Fudge
Score: 01
14.24% of restaurants offer some form of fudge dessert on their menus. Some of the most popular pairings for the dessert are with cakes, ice creams, and sundaes, all using it in its melted form. This is also why the hot fudge sundae by McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is considered such a popular dessert.
19. Moon Pies
Score: 02
Moon pies were originally invented in 1917 as a snack for coal miners and are mainly produced in Tennessee today. The Chattanooga Bakery is primarily responsible for the production of this snack-like dessert and often makes up to a million moon pies a day.
18. Candy Buckeyes
Score: 03
Buckeye candies are most popular in the state of Ohio, especially during the holidays and the football season. The heightened demand for snack desserts is what has led to the increase in popularity of bite-shaped desserts like these. The dessert is named so after Ohio’s state tree, the buckeye.
17. Cookie Cake
Score: 04
The cookies and cakes market was worth $31.20 billion in 2022. Cookies are one of the most popular desserts in America, and the country especially loves baked goods. The two combine to bring this generous dessert loved by many across the board. The hybrid dessert originated in Atlanta and has tremendously grown in popularity to become the face of college sports recruiting processes.
16. Carrot Cake
Score: 05
Carrot cakes first gained popularity in the 70s and, since then, have emerged as a classic American dessert that many consider an integral part of the culture. Many food chains have added the dessert to their menus, including giant names like Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX).
15. Bananas Foster
Score: 06
Bananas are among the most consumed fruits in the US; hence, one of the most popular American desserts uses this fruit in the recipe. The country’s banana imports reached roughly $2.4 billion in 2021, which makes the fruit popular in many dishes. The dessert, Bananas Foster, first emerged from a creole-inspired restaurant in New Orleans: Brennan’s. It has since stood the test of time and is still widely popular today.
14. Funnel Cake
Score: 07
The funnel cake is a staple in the state of Pennsylvania, where it was first brought by German-speaking immigrants. The cakes are especially popular with restaurants and dessert sellers because they cost little to produce and can be sold at a high profit margin. Companies like J & J Snack Foods Corp (NASDAQ:JJSF) have made huge earnings from selling funnel cakes, with the company earning $26.9 million from the cake in 2022.
13. Peanut Butter Cups
Score: 08
Peanut butter cups are among the most liked desserts among Americans, particularly ones manufactured by Reese’s. Reese's is owned by The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) and generates more than $2 billion in annual sales for the company. The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are a top-selling candy in the US, becoming another dessert popular because of its snack-sized portions. Coming in various sizes and variations, the peanut butter cups became an immediate success for The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) as soon as it was introduced.
12. Banana Pudding
Score: 09
This is another one of the most popular American desserts that showcases the country’s love for bananas. The US consumption of bananas is 27 pounds per person annually, some of which can be attributed to the desserts they eat. Banana pudding recipes first started getting popularized after the Civil War and quickly grew to become a popular dessert, especially in the Southern part of the US.
11. Peach Cobbler
Score: 10
The state of Colorado is famous for the peaches produced in its town of Palisade, the farming of which can reach up to 30 million pounds annually. Peaches account for 75% of the total fruit production in Colorado; hence, they are a popular choice for desserts like peach cobbler.
10. Pumpkin Pie
Score: 11
In multiple surveys conducted across the US, pumpkin pie takes the spot as the second most popular pie for Thanksgiving, often coming in at first place as well. Pumpkin pies are great seasonal desserts at places like McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD). The popularity of the fruit itself around the fall season has also led to Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) introducing many pumpkin pie-flavored drinks.
9. Pecan Pie
Score: 12
Pecan pie follows closely behind pumpkin pie as one of the most popular American desserts for the holiday season. The official meal of the state of Oklahoma includes pecan pie as the dessert, and some of the earliest recipes can be traced back to the state of Texas. Pecan pie has a very ‘American’ history, which has led to it becoming such a popular dessert in the modern-day US.
8. Brownies
Score: 13
Brownies is one of the most favorite desserts of America. According to Forbes, the origination of brownies can be credited to the state of Illinois, specifically the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to the trend of baking at home, which made brownies very popular due to their easy-to-bake nature. The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) cocoa powder is one of the most popular choices for home-baked brownies, generating enormous profits for the company.
7. Key Lime Pie
Score: 14
The Key Lime Pie is named after the key limes that naturally grow in the region of Florida Keys, making the dessert one of the most iconic ones to originate from the area. Many visitors tend to visit the region in search of the authentic taste of the key lime pie.
6. Red Velvet Cake
Score: 15
The global cake mixes market was worth $1.033 billion in 2022 and is predicted to have a CAGR of 2.88%. The cake mix market is growing significantly due to evolving consumer preferences, with corporations like General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) emerging as major players. Red velvet is one of the most popular flavors in cake mixes, making it one of the most popular desserts in America. The cake flavor is also widely preferred for birthday cakes due to its mild flavor.
