6 New Panera Bread Desserts, Ranked
Discover which of Panera's newest desserts are worth your money
6 New Panera Bread Desserts, Ranked: Which Ones Are Actually Worth It?
My days of sustaining after-school munchies with free Panera Bread baguette and raspberry iced tea that I sneakily dispensed into a water cup are over. On the heels of a taste test of the chain’s newest breakfast sandwiches, avocado toasts and bagels, I recently visited one of Panera’s Philadelphia restaurants to try six new, drool-worthy desserts. These delectable treats represent the chain’s latest innovation in its expanding menu of sweet indulgences. Read on to find out what they are—and which ones are worth the spend.
It’s My Job to Review Food, and of Panera Bread’s 6 New Desserts, This Is the Absolute Best One
Panera Bread has always positioned itself as a cut above typical fast-food establishments, and their dessert offerings reflect this commitment to quality. The chain’s commitment to continuous innovation means that customers regularly have new treats to discover and enjoy. During this extensive tasting session, I evaluated each dessert based on flavor complexity, texture quality, value for money, and overall appeal. The results were quite revealing, showcasing both impressive creations and some missed opportunities.
Long Live the Pumpkin Cookie
Before we dive into the complete ranking, it’s worth noting that seasonal items play a crucial role in Panera’s dessert strategy. The pumpkin cookie, which makes an appearance during the fall months, has already established itself as a beloved option among customers. This limited-time treat captures the essence of autumn baking traditions and serves as a benchmark for what Panera can achieve when they focus on creating desserts that resonate emotionally with their audience.
6. Almond Pastry
Overview and Ingredients
What’s in It: Buttery, flaky pastry with sweet almond filling, drizzled with icing and topped with sliced almonds
Price: $3.89
Tasting Notes and Assessment
I really wanted to love this one, but it’s a bit underwhelming. The pastry base is kind of giving supermarket croissant—a comparison that immediately signals that it doesn’t quite reach the level of artisanal quality one might expect from a Panera dessert. The almond filling is milder than I’d hoped, failing to deliver the robust nutty flavor that would elevate this treat above the ordinary. I feel like a touch of salt would really make it sing, adding complexity and preventing the sweetness from becoming monotonous.
That said, the slivered almonds do offer crunchy contrast to the rest of the treat, providing some textural interest that prevents the pastry from being a complete disappointment. However, this one textural element isn’t enough to overcome the fundamental issues with the execution of this dessert.
5. Chocolate Coconut Macaroon
Product Description
What’s in It: Chocolate coconut macaroon cookie finished with chocolatey dip
Price: $1.99
Flavor Profile and Critique
This one is giving Cocoa Pebbles in milk—a childhood cereal memory captured in dessert form. It’s not bad by any means, but the coconut kind of gets lost in all the chocolate. The ratio feels off, with the chocolate dip overpowering rather than complementing the coconut base. I feel like a dark or bittersweet chocolate dip, or some flaky salt, would make it more complex, rather than one-note and sweet. The simplicity here works against it, as the flavors don’t interact in a way that creates depth or intrigue.
4. Cherry Pastry
Product Details
What’s in It: Buttery, flaky pastry with tart cherry filling, drizzled with icing
Price: $3.89
Detailed Evaluation
The pastry base is just OK, but I really liked the jammy, just-sour-enough cherry filling. The tartness of the cherries provides a delightful contrast to what could otherwise be an overly sweet dessert. However, I wish there was more of it to balance out the bread-to-fruit ratio. When you take a bite, you want the filling to be the star, not a supporting character in a pastry-heavy production. I wouldn’t be mad at more icing either, to be honest, as it would help tie the elements together more cohesively.
3. Coconut Macaroon
Product Specifications
What’s in It: Coconut macaroon cookie finished with chocolatey dip
Price: $1.99
Why It Stands Out
Toasty, tropical and nutty, this macaroon is pretty flawless. I appreciate that they neatly pack in the coconut instead of making it pointy and craggy—a thoughtful design choice that speaks to Panera’s attention to detail. The texture is satisfying, and it sticks to your teeth in the best way, which is exactly what you want from a macaroon. It’s one of the cheapest desserts on the menu, making it an exceptional value proposition. However, I think if the chocolate dip were a little less sweet, it’d be even tastier, allowing the coconut flavor to shine more prominently.
2. Pumpkin Cookie
Seasonal Favorite Details
What’s in It: Pumpkin-shaped shortbread cookie decorated with icing
Price: $3.39
Why It Deserves the Second-Place Spot
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this delightfully sweet cookie, and it’s back for a limited time this fall, which makes it all the more special. It reminds me of the glazed sugar cookies my mom used to bake for the holidays—that perfect combination of nostalgic charm and actual quality execution. The cookie itself is ridiculously buttery and a touch salty, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that prevents it from being cloyingly sweet. The glaze is hard enough to maintain its shape (except for the mushed detailing, which adds character) yet creamy enough to melt in your mouth. This is comfort food done right, and there’s real artistry in the simplicity.
1. Cranberry Orange Slice
Champion Dessert Overview
What’s in It: Sweet, orange-flavored cake made with whole cranberries, sour cream and coarse sugar
Price: $3.89
Why It’s the Clear Winner
Bright, citrusy and sweet-tart, I’m a true fan of this wintry Panera dessert (or breakfast, if you’d prefer). This is the kind of dessert that exceeds expectations for a chain restaurant. There’s a slight orange-y bitterness that comes through that I really like, providing complexity and preventing the treat from becoming too one-dimensional. The sugary edge gives an occasional crunch that’s the ideal foil for the supremely moist, tender cake. Every element works in harmony—the sour cream adds depth, the cranberries provide tartness, and the orange zest brings brightness. This is a dessert that would be impressive in an independent bakery, let alone at Panera Bread.
Comparative Analysis Table
| Rank | Dessert Name | Price | Key Ingredients | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cranberry Orange Slice | $3.89 | Cranberries, Orange, Sour Cream | Citrus Lovers & Holiday Season |
| 2 | Pumpkin Cookie | $3.39 | Pumpkin, Shortbread, Icing | Fall Nostalgia & Comfort Food |
| 3 | Coconut Macaroon | $1.99 | Coconut, Chocolate Dip | Budget-Conscious Coconut Fans |
| 4 | Cherry Pastry | $3.89 | Pastry, Cherry Filling, Icing | Fruit Lovers |
| 5 | Chocolate Coconut Macaroon | $1.99 | Coconut, Chocolate Dip | Chocolate Enthusiasts |
| 6 | Almond Pastry | $3.89 | Pastry, Almond Filling, Almonds | Almond Extract Fans |
Key Takeaways from the Tasting
After tasting and carefully evaluating all six of these new Panera desserts, several patterns emerged. First, Panera’s strength lies in items that combine complex flavor profiles with quality ingredients. The cranberry orange slice succeeds because it doesn’t try to be everything—it focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well. Second, seasonal and limited-time offerings tend to receive more attention and care during development, which shows in the final product. Third, value matters, and the two macaroons at $1.99 each represent better value propositions than some of the more expensive options, particularly the almond pastry.
Recommendations for Different Preferences
For Adventurous Eaters: Order the Cranberry Orange Slice without hesitation. This dessert offers the most sophisticated flavor profile and will genuinely surprise you with its bakery-quality execution.
For Nostalgic Comfort Food Seekers: The Pumpkin Cookie is your answer, especially if you can catch it during fall season. It captures the essence of homemade baking without requiring you to actually bake.
For Budget Shoppers: Either of the macaroons at $1.99 will satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking the bank. The regular Coconut Macaroon edges out its chocolate-heavy counterpart for better balance.
For Fruit Enthusiasts: The Cherry Pastry offers tart, jammy goodness, though you may want to request extra filling when ordering to improve the filling-to-pastry ratio.
Skip Entirely: Unless you’re specifically seeking out mild almond flavors, the Almond Pastry falls short of what Panera is capable of achieving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these new desserts available year-round?
A: No, most of these items are limited-time offerings. The Pumpkin Cookie and Cranberry Orange Slice are seasonal items, while the macaroons and pastries may rotate depending on your location and current menu cycle.
Q: Which dessert offers the best value for money?
A: The Coconut Macaroon at $1.99 offers exceptional value, delivering quality and satisfaction at the lowest price point. It’s nearly half the price of some pastries while providing more flavor complexity.
Q: Can I customize any of these desserts?
A: While Panera typically doesn’t heavily customize desserts, you can always ask for modifications like additional icing, extra filling, or different preparation methods at your local restaurant.
Q: Do any of these contain common allergens?
A: Yes, these desserts contain various allergens including nuts, soy, and dairy. Check with your specific Panera location or their website for detailed allergen information.
Q: How do these compare to Panera’s classic dessert offerings?
A: These new items represent an elevated approach to dessert-making at Panera, with more sophisticated flavor combinations and careful ingredient selection compared to some of their more basic offerings.
Q: Which dessert would pair best with Panera’s coffee?
A: The Cranberry Orange Slice pairs beautifully with Panera’s darker roasts due to the citrus and tartness cutting through the coffee’s richness. The Pumpkin Cookie works wonderfully with their seasonal autumn roasts.
Final Verdict
Panera Bread’s newest dessert lineup demonstrates the chain’s commitment to evolving beyond standard fast-food offerings. While not every item hits the mark, the standouts—particularly the Cranberry Orange Slice and Pumpkin Cookie—showcase what Panera can achieve when they prioritize quality ingredients and thoughtful flavor combinations. The pricing is reasonable, especially for the macaroons, and even the less impressive items aren’t objectively bad; they simply don’t differentiate themselves enough to warrant repeated purchases. If you’re looking to try something new at Panera, start with the top-ranked items and work your way through the list. Your taste buds will thank you, and your wallet won’t suffer much in the process.
References
- https://www.purewow.com/food/panera-bread-new-desserts-ranked
- https://www.eatthis.com/panera-new-menu-items-taste-test-2024/
- https://www.tastingtable.com/1873751/panera-bread-pastries-ranked/
- https://www.delish.com/food-news/a60359057/panera-new-menu-ranking/
- https://echolitmag.com/an-intensive-rating-of-the-panera-dessert-menu/
- https://www.purewow.com/food/panera-bread-spring-menu-review
