McDonald's Announces Last Day To Buy McCafé Bakery Sweets
After almost three years, fans of McDonald's McCafé Bakery items are mournfully saying goodbye to the sweet treats. News of the immediate phase-out of the three all-day breakfast menu items — the Apple Fritter, Blueberry Muffin, and Cinnamon Roll, were confirmed by Today after rumors surfaced from a recent Instagram post.
On July 8, Instagram user @markie_devo posted that the bakery items would be discontinued by July 15, causing a U.S.A. McDonald's representative to respond in an email to Today that said in part, "Starting this month, we'll be phasing out our McCafé Bakery line-up, including the Apple Fritter, Blueberry Muffin, and Cinnamon Roll." The representative was less definitive with an end date, saying the availability of McCafé bakery items will be on a store-by-store basis.
McCafé beverages, which were added to the U.S. national menu in 2009, aren't part of the phase-out. The McCafé menu grew to include smoothies, coffees, frappés, and espresso drinks before adding bakery items in 2020. McCafé Bakery was introduced in November 2020 in response to the COVID pandemic. It provided a ready-made option all day long, a welcomed addition for the bitter Egg McMuffin and McGriddle lovers who could no longer get their breakfast items 24/7.
Not surprisingly, the fast-food nation isn't happy about the menu change and has taken to social media to lament.
Goodbyes are never easy
As recently as September 2022, the chain promoted limited-time additions to its McCafé Bakery menu, like its Cheese Danish, made with a cream cheese filling and streusel and icing topping, reminding customers not to get too attached to a particular dish unless it's McDonald's fries. Menu items constantly evolve at fast food restaurants, which isn't surprising. Yet customers have strong opinions.
For some, the recent menu change crossed a line. As one customer complained in a tweet, "McDonald's has gone way too far on discontinuing the cinnamon roll. This is McDonald's worse decision in years." Disgruntled customers on Twitter have also pointed out that they've already suffered through the discontinuation of McDonald's Cinnamelts, which could be characterized as a pull-apart dessert-slash-breakfast item coated in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cream cheese icing like a deconstructed or lazy man's cinnamon roll. Others threatened to take themselves to Burger King for its Hershey Pie when news of the Apple Fritter's demise struck.
To quell the unrest (and upsell), the McDonald's spokesperson added, "We're always listening to our fans and adjusting our menu based on what they crave. We know goodbyes are never easy — but fans can still satisfy their sweet tooth with our iconic Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baked Apple Pie, and frozen desserts at restaurants nationwide."