9 Global McDonald’s Desserts That NEED To Come To The US
Before lactose intolerance hit me like a ton of bricks, my favorite dessert at McDonald’s was the Oreo McFlurry. A combination of vanilla soft serve and crumbles of Oreo cookies, the frozen treat was always a welcome solution for a sweltering afternoon or a particularly salty meal.
As life took me down a fast food industry-driven path, I wondered what other desserts were out there that were as worthy as the Oreo McFlurry.
Not too long ago, McDonald’s opened up an HQ restaurant in Chicago that offered items found exclusive at McDonald’s from other countries. While there were SOME international dessert options, they pretty much stuck to the American staples at the HQ location.
While I won’t be jetsetting around the globe any time soon, I can dream of all the fast food desserts I’d like to get my sugar-lovin’ mitts on in the hopefully not-too-distant future. Here are some international McDonald’s desserts (past and present) that I would love to taste one day.
Taro Pie (China)
Taro was an acquired taste for me, but once I got used to the sweet, earthy flavor, I loved it. McDonald’s China offers a deep-fried taro pie that’s got some massive pieces of taro inside. It was also noticeably less sweeter than the American apple pie. Does well in a pinch if you’re not looking to experience a sugar crash during a long commute.
The item has also been featured at certain locations in Hawaii.
Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry (Australia)
Fans of the iconic Cadbury Creme egg will wish they lived a bit closer to Australia. The exclusive McFlurry that usually rolls around during the Easter season is made with the chain’s soft serve vanilla, chunks of Cadbury milk chocolate, and the Cadbury Creme filling. Speaking of Cadbury Creme, I’m embarrassed to admit I was nearing double digits before I realized rabbits didn’t actually lay eggs.
Gudetama McFlury (Japan)
A few months ago, McDonald’s released a limited-edition Gudetama McFlurry in Japan. The serving containers featured a whimsical illustration of the popular depressed egg character while the McFlurry itself featured a rich custard, soft serve, a chewy sponge cake, and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Perhaps a McFlurry of his namesake will cheer up old Gudetama.
Oreo Cone With Purple Sweet Potato Soft Serve (Hong Kong)
Arguably one of McDonald’s most photogenic desserts can be found in Hong Kong. The sweet potato soft serve is swirled to near perfection onto a jet-black Oreo waffle cone, offering a creamy taste paired with the earthy notes that come from the root vegetable. It could be my eyes playing tricks on me, but I’ve yet to see a soft serve cone look less than immaculate. As a veritable cherry on top, the dessert is even garnished with a mini Oreo cookie.
Snickers McFlurry (Pakistan)
Snickers fans may want to sink their sweet tooth directly into this Snickers McFlurry. Found in McDonald’s locations in Pakistan, Hungary, Malta, and Cyprus, this time-exclusive dessert is the fast food chain’s hot take on a Snickers Bar. The McFlurry is made with vanilla soft serve, roasted peanuts, chocolate, and caramel sauce.
Bubblegum Squash McFlurry (Australia)
I had to first look up what Bubblegum Squash actually meant first before getting excited for this McFlurry. This dessert features blue, white, and pink candy marshmallows over a bed of vanilla ice cream. No joke, this honestly looks like a dish straight out of that food fight scene from the Steven Spielberg classic, Hook.
Gelato (Italy)
Vanilla soft serve tends to do well in a pinch, but nothing quite beats the taste of real gelato. McDonald’s locations in Italy actually served pints of gelato to customers a few years back. Man, makes me want to curl up at home with a good Reese Witherspoon movie and go to town on some.
Toblerone McFlurry (Denmark)
A Toblerone is a dangerous thing. Blink once and you’ll already have snapped off every piece of that triangular chocolate bar filled with nuts. Patrons of McDonald’s in Denmark can enjoy that popular chocolate bar in a McFlurry form. Though I wouldn’t be opposed to straight dipping a Toblerone directly into some ice cream.
Frozen Coke (New Zealand)
Need a dairy-free refresher? McDonald’s locations in New Zealand offered a Frozen Coke you can enjoy with your meal. The cold beverage hits all the notes of a soda, with the added textures of a frozen slush. Just be sure to pace yourself lest you enter an endless waltz with brain freeze. Still, kind of perfect for a hot summer day.
Nutella-stuffed Muffins
On an excursion to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, some coworkers and I experienced a treasure trove of sweet baked goods at McDonald’s Italy. This includes a muffin that’s stuffed with Nutella hazelnut spread that sent Foodbeast writer Isai Rocha’s eyes shooting to the back of his head like a gypsy boy possessed by Beelzebub himself.
