Top 10 Dessert Restaurant Chains Americans Can't Get Enough Of

Spending hard-earned dollars on the wrong desserts when eating out can be the ultimate disappointment. No one wants to bite into a brownie that tastes like cardboard. So whether you're a dessert aficionado or just hankering for something sweet after dinner, it's never a bad idea to hit up some crowd favorites to know exactly what you'll be getting.

To help you save time and stretch your restaurant budget, we've rounded up 10 of America's favorite dessert chains.

If warm, salty, or sweet doughy pretzels are what you're craving, it's hard to beat Auntie Anne's, which can be found in many malls throughout America and even some food trucks.

The cinnamon sugar pretzel and a sweet and crunchy almond pretzel are fan favorites. If savory is more your thing, the jalapeno pretzel is also a bestseller. And don't sleep on the pretzel-wrapped hot dogs to make it a real meal.

With over 600 locations in the US, with 120 new locations opened just last year, Nothing Bundt Cake was just named America's #1 favorite brand according to an "America's Favorite Chains" survey by Technomic.

The moist, delicious cakes are ideal for birthdays, celebrations, or even just as a little treat for one. You can score flavors like Snickerdoodle, Reese's chocolate peanut butter, and banana pudding in three bundt sizes. Individual bundtlets start at $5.50.

Crumbl Cookies specializes in giant cookies and dessert slices with weekly rotating flavor options. The big cookies (which easily serve four) start at $4.49 a piece, and you save 10% with a four-pack, 14% with a six-pack, and will save 20% if you purchase 12 for $42.99.

Crumbl also sells mini cookies, which are more manageable serving sizes. Be sure to download their free rewards app to receive points and free treats on your birthday.

It's difficult to explain the perfection that is a gooey, flavorful, soft Cinnabon. Buying one fresh out of the oven is an otherworldly experience.

The Makara cinnamon and cream cheese frosting perfectly blend layers of savory and sweetness into this pillowy roll. If their classic roll is too big, they also have MiniBons and BonBites for just the right amount of sweetness.

Classic rolls start at $6.79.

Coldstone Creamery is a walk-in experience that's as entertaining as it is delicious. Choose a favorite ice cream and toppings combo and watch them mix together everything from birthday cake chunks to strawberries, candy pieces, and more right in front of you.

People who love cake or brownies can even have them blended into a bowl or waffle cone filled with thick, freshly churned ice cream.

Another favorite dessert chain actually happens to be a popular Canadian donut and coffee chain. Since 1964, they've been dazzling colder weather locations with delicious, sugar-filled desserts and coffee.

It's no surprise that their honey crullers, sour cream glazed, and Canadian maple donuts do well in the northern states they serve, like Michigan and New York.

The Cheesecake Factory is known for its large dining rooms, mood lighting, and a novel-length menu that includes an array of dishes — including pages of desserts.

Their award-winning cheesecakes are the obvious choice, and everyone seems to have a particular flavor they prefer, whether it's their classic cookie dough cheesecake or a pineapple upside-down cake version.

If you're not in the mood for a slice, there are also ice cream options on the menu.

Dairy Queen is known for its incredible Soft-Serve Blizzard Treats, which can be flipped upside down and have historically stayed intact. The popularity of these sweet treats has brought the chain to over 7,500 locations in 20 countries.

Most Blizzard flavors are limited-edition, but fans really love the brownie batter, Reeses Pieces cookie dough, and cheesecake versions.

Krispy Kreme is extremely popular throughout the South, and fans attribute this to the soft, pillowy, and airy texture of the brand's donuts.

If you see a neon sign on the side of a Krispy Kreme building that's lit up and says "HOT NOW," race in. That light gets triggered while bakers are taking fresh donuts out of the oven, so you know you'll be getting one at peak freshness.

Dunkin' Donuts is a staple restaurant with over 12,900 locations in 42 countries for a reason. People flock here in the mornings (or sometimes even the afternoons) for the blueberry glazed donut, as well as basics like sour cream and plain glazed.

If you enjoy bite-sized dessert delights, grab some Munchkins donut holes in a number of different flavors.

America loves desserts, and some of the most popular places to grab a post-meal sweet treat have been around for decades. The next time you head out for a treat, try using a top reward credit card to get you cash back and additional offers at several popular chains.

Just make sure you're able to pay off the balance in full before making that choice.