When I’m choosing a treat at Kroger, I want something that feels worth the splurge. These eight sweet picks are the ones I’d reach for in 2026.
Prices were checked at a Kroger in Granbury, Texas on October 17; they vary by store and change with each week’s ad.
1. Oreo Cakesters Gingerbread – $4.99
October is when I would look for this limited-edition 10-count box, which turns Oreo Cakesters into a gingerbread-and-vanilla-creme holiday snack. The individually sized cakes suit lunchboxes, afternoon coffee breaks, or an early festive treat before the full holiday rush.
Taste: Gingerbread spice gives the soft cakes a warmer flavor than the classic version, while vanilla creme keeps the familiar Oreo sweetness. The fluffy, whoopie-pie-like layers make this more tender than a regular cookie.
Make It Better: Pair one with a hot drink to balance the sweetness, and grab the limited edition early if gingerbread is your holiday weakness.
Parting Thoughts: Holiday snackers who prefer soft cakes over crunchy cookies should have fun with this one.
2. Ghirardelli Classic Chocolate Chip Crispy Cookies – $8.95
A premium cookie deserves a real occasion at $8.95, and this 2026 Kroger-exclusive debut works nicely for a small dessert plate or an office treat. The 6.3-ounce package contains 10 ready-to-eat cookies, so it is more of a deliberate splurge than a family-size stock-up.
Taste: Buttery vanilla and brown-sugar notes lead into rich Ghirardelli chocolate chips. Each cookie stays crisp through the center, with golden toasted edges adding an extra-roasty finish.
Make It Better: Put these on a plate instead of serving them from the package; the small gesture makes the premium price feel more appropriate.
Parting Thoughts: Worth considering when chocolate quality matters more to you than getting the biggest cookie package.
3. Private Selection Pumpkin Spice Blondies – $6.99
Cool-weather coffee breaks have a ready-made companion in these new 2026 blondies. Pumpkin spice batter, cream cheese icing, pecans, and butterscotch chips make the 13.8-ounce dessert substantial enough for sharing after dinner.
Taste: Pumpkin spice supplies the autumn warmth, while cream cheese icing and butterscotch chips push the flavor firmly toward rich dessert territory. Pecans add contrast to the dense blondie base, and the overall combination is rich enough for modest portions.
Make It Better: Cut the blondies into smaller pieces for a dessert platter; their icing, chips, and pecans already provide plenty of interest without extra toppings.
Parting Thoughts: Pumpkin-spice loyalists will appreciate the layered mix-ins, though restrained-dessert types may find it quite rich.
4. Private Selection Triple Cherry Pie – $11.99
When dessert duty lands on you at the last minute, this 39-ounce bakery pie can go straight to the table with no assembly. Its three cherry varieties make it a more interesting choice for a family dinner or potluck than a one-note fruit pie.
Taste: The cherries move between candy-like sweetness and pronounced tartness, creating more range than a standard cherry filling. A flaky crust provides the crisp, delicate contrast that the soft fruit needs.
Make It Better: Serve smaller first slices at a gathering so guests can return for seconds after deciding where they land on the sweet-tart filling.
Parting Thoughts: Choose this for cherry lovers who want noticeable tartness alongside the sweeter fruit notes.
5. Private Selection New York Style Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream Pint – $4.29
My freezer pick for a quiet fall TV night is this new 2026 pint, which combines pumpkin-spice ice cream with cheesecake chunks. The single-pint format also makes it practical when the rest of the household is not joining your pumpkin-season enthusiasm.
Taste: Pumpkin and warm spice meet the richer tang of cheesecake for an indulgent seasonal combination. The base is creamy, while cheesecake chunks break up each scoop with a denser bite.
Make It Better: Scoop it alongside a small piece of the pumpkin blondie when you want a full fall-dessert plate, or enjoy it alone to keep the flavors clearer.
Parting Thoughts: For anyone who wants pumpkin dessert with a cheesecake accent, this pint makes a convincing seasonal pick.
6. Häagen-Dazs Cherry Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Bars – $5.49
Cherry-and-chocolate devotees get a tidy summer treat in this new 2026 three-count box. Each frozen bar puts cherry ice cream and ribbons beneath a dark-chocolate coating, making it convenient for porch desserts or outdoor gatherings.
Taste: Fruity cherry ice cream and ribbons bring sweetness, while the dark chocolate adds a deeper cocoa counterpoint. The solid coating contrasts with the creamy frozen center, giving every bite two distinct textures.
Make It Better: Keep the bars frozen until everyone is ready to eat, especially when serving them outdoors.
Parting Thoughts: The three-count box makes the most sense for a small household that values portioned treats over a scoopable tub.
7. Pop-Tarts Frosted Cookies and Crème Toaster Pastries – $2.99
On rushed mornings—or afternoons that call for something unabashedly dessert-like—these new 2026 pastries are easy to slip into a bag. The eight-count box combines a chocolate exterior, creamy filling, and cookie-crumb frosting without requiring any preparation.
Taste: Chocolate surrounds a creamy cookies-and-crème-style center, while the crumb-topped frosting adds another concentrated layer of sweetness. The pastry, filling, and frosting create a layered bite rather than the chew of a cookie or softness of a snack cake.
Make It Better: Pack one as an occasional desk or travel treat, where the shelf-stable format is more useful than a frozen dessert.
Parting Thoughts: This earns its spot for convenience, but it is better suited to dessert moods than a restrained breakfast.
8. Kroger Fruity Gummi Clusters Candy – $3.49
A candy bowl gets more playful with these new 2026 star-shaped fruit gummies coated in nonpareils. The 8-ounce bag is an easy choice for movie night, road trips, or sharing when plain gummies feel a little predictable.
Taste: Bright fruit flavor keeps the candy familiar, but the texture is the real distinction. Soft gummy centers squish as you chew, while the nonpareil coating contributes a tiny, Sno-Caps-like crunch.
Make It Better: Pour a portion into a small bowl instead of grazing from the bag so the crunchy coating stays part of the experience rather than becoming background snacking.
Parting Thoughts: Skip these if candy sprinkles bother you; otherwise, the crunch-and-squish contrast is genuinely entertaining.
