When those rocking chairs and country store vibes pull you into Cracker Barrel, the dessert menu might be the last thing on your mind after filling up on comfort food. But here’s the thing – some of these desserts are absolutely worth saving room for, while others will leave you wondering why you bothered. Not every sweet treat at this Southern-style chain deserves a spot on your table, and knowing which ones to skip can save you from serious disappointment.
Double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake steals the show
This isn’t just another chocolate cake trying to be fancy with a weird name. The double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake has become such a hit that many locations actually run out before the day ends. The cake gets its unique taste and incredibly moist texture from actual Coca-Cola mixed right into the batter and frosting. What makes this dessert special is how the Coke doesn’t just add sweetness – it creates a rich, almost fudgy consistency that’s hard to find anywhere else.
At 790 calories per slice, this sheet-pan style cake comes as a square rather than a wedge, and it includes a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The frosting is thick and fudgy, while the cake underneath stays incredibly moist thanks to that secret Coke ingredient. Some locations sell out daily, so if you see it available, don’t wait around. The combination of chocolate and cola might sound weird, but it works better than you’d expect.
Mini strawberry cheesecake offers perfect portion control
Sometimes restaurant desserts are so massive they could feed three people, but Cracker Barrel’s mini strawberry cheesecake hits that sweet spot of being just enough without going overboard. This personal-sized cheesecake looks like a hockey puck cut from a larger cake, complete with graham cracker crust and fresh strawberry on top. At only 290 calories and around $4, it’s actually the cheapest dessert option on the menu and won’t leave you feeling stuffed after an already filling meal.
The cheesecake has that homemade taste that reviewers consistently praise, with a creamy texture and just the right amount of strawberry sauce. Some people wish it had more strawberry topping, but the balance works well with the accompanying whipped cream. For comparison, a similar slice at The Cheesecake Factory packs 1,000 calories, making this mini version a much more reasonable choice when you want something sweet but not overwhelming.
Peach cobbler disappoints with canned fruit taste
The menu description makes peach cobbler sound amazing – “sweet southern peach cobbler, like you remember” with flaky pastry and vanilla ice cream. Unfortunately, the reality doesn’t match the promise. The biggest problem is the fruit itself, which tastes like it came straight from a low-quality can rather than fresh peaches. The overly syrupy, artificial taste completely ruins what should be a comforting, homestyle dessert.
Even worse, the pastry portion often comes as one solid piece sticking out of the bowl rather than the mixed-in cobbler topping you’d expect. Food reviewers consistently rank this as one of the worst dessert options available. At 530 calories, it’s not even a lighter choice, and you’ll likely end up disappointed after spending your dessert budget on something that tastes more artificial than homemade. Skip this one and go for literally any other sweet option on the menu.
Biscuit beignets bring New Orleans vibes with butter pecan sauce
Don’t look for these on the dessert menu – biscuit beignets live on the all-day breakfast section, but they’re sweet enough to count as dessert. Cracker Barrel takes their regular buttermilk biscuit dough and deep-fries it instead of baking, then coats the result in cinnamon sugar. You get six puffy, pillow-like pieces for around $5.50, and they arrive hot and fresh from the fryer.
The real star here is the butter pecan dipping sauce that comes alongside. It tastes like a cross between caramel and butter pecan, adding richness to the already sweet beignets. These aren’t traditional New Orleans-style beignets, but they’re fluffy and satisfying in their own way. The main downside is they’re typically only available during fall, though some locations might have them at other times if you ask nicely.
Chocolate pecan pie only appears during holiday season
Regular pecan pie is good, but chocolate pecan pie takes things to another level. Unfortunately, Cracker Barrel only brings this dessert out during Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, so you’ll need to time your visit right. The chocolate addition doesn’t overpower the traditional pecan pie experience – instead, it adds richness and depth that makes the nuts and sweet filling even better. At around $12.50 for a whole pie, it costs the same as the regular version.
The crust tends to be especially crumbly, but that doesn’t hurt the overall experience. Some reviewers compare it to eating a really good chocolate granola bar, which might not sound flattering but actually works well. If you’ve tried regular pecan pie and felt like it needed something extra, chocolate is probably what was missing. Just remember this is a seasonal item, so don’t expect to find it year-round.
Fried apples work as dessert despite being a side
Technically a side dish rather than an official dessert, fried apples cost only about $3 and pack just 170 calories – making them the cheapest and lightest sweet option available. Despite the name, these apples are actually baked in the oven with cinnamon until they’re tender and sweet. They’re not fancy or complicated, but they satisfy that end-of-meal sweet craving without the heaviness of cake or pie.
These cinnamon-spiced apples are one of the most talked-about menu items at Cracker Barrel, and you can even buy canned versions in their store to take home. The apples have a slightly canned taste, but they’re much better than the peaches in the cobbler. While they could use some brown sugar or additional spices for more complexity, they work well as a lighter dessert option when you want something sweet but not overwhelming.
Homestyle chocolate chip cookies cost more than expected
At around $10, chocolate chip cookies are surprisingly one of the most expensive dessert options at Cracker Barrel. The price makes more sense when you realize you get five large cookies totaling 1,440 calories – definitely meant for sharing around the table. These aren’t skimpy on the chocolate chips either, and they look exactly like what you’d expect from homemade chocolate chip cookies.
In customer polls, these cookies consistently perform well, with only 15.9% of people rating them as their least favorite dessert option. They beat out both the fruit cobblers and even the famous Coca-Cola cake in terms of customer satisfaction. The main challenge is dividing five cookies among a group, but if you’re looking for a safe bet that most people will enjoy, these are a solid choice.
Blackberry cobbler depends on seasonal availability
Like the peach version, blackberry cobbler comes in a small bowl with vanilla ice cream on top, but the fruit quality makes all the difference. Since blackberry season runs from July through September, this dessert typically shows up during those months when the fruit is at its best. The flaky crust gets mixed in with the blackberry filling, creating that rustic cobbler experience people expect.
Social media reviews for blackberry cobbler are much more positive than the peach version, with people calling it “amazing” and “the bomb.” The key difference seems to be fruit quality – blackberries hold up better to the cobbler preparation and don’t end up with that artificial, overly sweet taste that ruins the peach version. If you see blackberry cobbler available, especially during late summer, it’s worth trying over the year-round peach option.
Dirt cup dessert appeals to kids and adults alike
Found on the kids’ menu but appealing to adults too, the dirt cup comes in a Mason jar for under $3. This playful dessert alternates layers of chocolate pudding with crumbled chocolate cookies, topped with gummy worms crawling out of the “dirt.” The presentation alone makes it worth ordering – you can see all the layers through the clear jar, and kids absolutely love the silly concept.
Don’t let the kids’ menu placement fool you – this is a legitimately tasty dessert that adults can enjoy too. The chocolate pudding is rich and creamy, while the cookie crumbs add texture without being too sweet. At the lowest price point for any sweet treat on the menu, it’s a fun option that brings out everyone’s inner child while still delivering on taste.
Cracker Barrel’s dessert menu has some real winners mixed in with a few disappointing options. The Coca-Cola cake and mini cheesecake stand out as must-tries, while the peach cobbler should be avoided at all costs. Seasonal items like chocolate pecan pie and blackberry cobbler are worth timing your visit for, and don’t overlook simple options like fried apples when you want something sweet but light.
