When dessert is on my Walmart list, I don’t assume the familiar label is the better choice. The Great Value picks ahead are convincing alternatives to name brands, with prices that make them even more appealing.
1. Great Value Hip Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches – $5.82
Soft chocolate chip cookies make these a worthy replacement for Toll House ice cream sandwiches or a Chipwich. I keep the six-pack frozen for cookouts and movie nights because each sandwich feels more substantial than a basic wafer version.
Taste: Creamy vanilla ice cream, a fudge ribbon, and mini chocolate chips make every bite more interesting. The cookies stay soft and chewy while the little chips add just enough crunch.
Make It Better: Let one sit briefly after taking it from the freezer so the cookie softens slightly and the fudge becomes easier to taste.
Parting Thoughts: Cookie-sandwich loyalists get the biggest payoff here, especially if a plain ice cream sandwich feels boring.
2. Great Value Fudge Ice Cream Bars, 30 fl oz, 12 Pack – $2.98
Skip the Fudgsicles—or the drive for a Wendy’s Frosty—and reach for these chocolatey frozen bars instead. The 12-pack is an easy choice for backyard barbecues, family gatherings, or an uncomplicated afternoon treat.
Taste: The milk-chocolate flavor is rich and mellow, with that familiar Frosty-like character. Their smooth, creamy consistency avoids the gritty or overly icy finish that can sink bargain fudge bars.
Make It Better: Serve them straight from the freezer on hot days, with napkins ready; no bowls or toppings are needed.
Parting Thoughts: At $2.98 for 12, this nostalgic freezer staple earns its space.
3. Great Value Vanilla Bean Flavored Ice Cream, 48 fl oz – $3.12
For sundaes and milkshakes, this 48-ounce tub can stand in for Blue Bunny Homemade Vanilla or Breyers Natural Vanilla. Its straightforward flavor also makes it useful when everyone at the table wants different toppings.
Taste: Bold vanilla-bean flavor keeps the scoop from tasting flat or merely sugary. The texture is silky, creamy, and rich rather than noticeably icy.
Make It Better: Use it as a sundae base with chocolate syrup, almonds, whipped cream, and a cherry, or scoop it into a waffle cone.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone who values a versatile vanilla over elaborate mix-ins should find this $3.12 tub worthwhile.
4. Great Value Apple Berry Blossoms – $3.32
Sunday dinner gets easier with these oven-baked alternatives to generic frozen apple pies or Taco Bell-style caramel apple empanadas. The two-count package works especially well when you want a warm, homemade-feeling dessert without preparing a whole pie.
Taste: Bright apple-and-berry filling brings fruity sweetness and a touch of spice. Around it, the pastry bakes into a buttery, flaky crust with a satisfying crunch.
Make It Better: Bake them so the crust can fully crisp, then serve while warm enough for the fruit and spice to smell inviting.
Parting Thoughts: For a small household craving warm pastry, the $3.32 package is a particularly cozy buy.
5. Great Value Strawberry Shortcake Dessert Bar, Frozen Layered Cake Dessert, 7.7 oz – $3.27
Last-minute hosting calls for this thaw-and-serve stand-in for bakery strawberry shortcake or comparable frozen cake slices. Its two individual portions make a simple dessert for sharing or turn an ordinary evening into a small occasion.
Taste: Sweet-tart strawberry sauce cuts through the smooth vanilla cream mousse, while white chocolate flakes add extra sweetness. The layered cake is moist and tender, and the mousse stays light and fluffy.
Make It Better: Thaw only the portions you plan to serve, then plate them instead of eating from the package for a more finished presentation.
Parting Thoughts: Strawberry-shortcake fans will appreciate the balanced fruit and cream, though those avoiding sweeter white-chocolate accents may prefer another pick.
