Friday, July 11th
2025 Dessert Club Reviews
Magnolia Bakery
- Each month comes with 3 classic banana (bread) pudding cups, 3 limited-time flavors, and a special surprise that changes monthly
- Subscribe for 3 ($195), 6 ($375), or 12 ($720) months, paid upfront
- Free shipping in the continental US
- Choose if you want delivery on the 2nd or 3rd Thursday of the month
- Easy to send as a gift
- In business since 1996
Magnolia Bakery got its start in NYC's West Village in 1996, quickly becoming well-known for its red velvet cupcakes and banana pudding. With tons of local fans of their treats, the bakery soon expanded into more in-person locations. But, customers wanted to be able to share their favorite desserts with friends far and wide, so Magnolia Bakery figured out how to send their goodies all across the lower 48 United States.
Bread pudding galore
There's only one kind of dessert in Magnolia Bakery's club: bread pudding. They announce the newest flavors at the beginning of the month, letting you be a little surprised with what you get. While every delivery will come with 3 classic banana pudding cups, the other 3 will be their in-store featured flavor for that month: past selections have included Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, and Carrot Cake, to name a few. You'll also get a special surprise treat in each box, but Magnolia Bakery doesn't offer a hint as to what that might be.
You can give this dessert club as a gift
Want to give this dessert club as a gift? Magnolia Bakery says that's no problem. Just indicate in the cart that it's a gift, and enter the recipient's address for delivery, separate from your address for billing. You can put in a gift message there too.
On the spendy side, especially with delivery insurance
How much does this dessert club cost? Shipping is included in the fee, whether you subscribe for three months at $195, six months at $375, or 12 months at $720. You'll have to pay upfront for the entire subscription term; there's no month-to-month billing offered by Magnolia Bakery. You may also want to add on Route insurance coverage offered during checkout: that's the only protection you have if your package arrives late (or not at all), or you get the wrong items. That's not the most customer-friendly policy we've ever seen, but there are other companies (especially the smaller ones) that require that extra coverage for such protections.
Policies aren't the most customer-centric
We're also not so thrilled that you can't pause your Magnolia Bakery subscription. You can opt to choose alternative delivery dates within your account portal, but you're out of luck if you're going out of the country on a whirlwind vacation for a whole month: your treats will come anyway. They also don't allow you to cancel your subscription outright, but the bakery does offer to address issues on a case-by-case basis. Still, that's a far cry from our higher-ranked dessert clubs that practically bend over backwards to let you place a hold on your shipments or to give you a refund (even if it's prorated) if you're not loving the treats you get.
Great in person, but what about via delivery?
The Better Business Bureau also isn't so pleased with Magnolia Bakery, offering the company a mediocre "B-” rating for failing to respond to the three complaints filed with the BBB over the last three years. There's plenty of love for the bakery's in-person locations, with reviews describing the wait as well worth it when lining up for the classic banana pudding. We're just not confident in how well that translates into a shipped dessert, especially when Magnolia Bakery goes to great lengths to not guarantee your satisfaction, give you a prorated refund, or let you pause your deliveries.
Not among our favorite dessert clubs
We can only give Magnolia Bakery's dessert club a below-average rating. It might be different if there were hundreds of subscriber reviews singing the praises of the pudding cups, describing them arriving in perfect condition and raving about the top-notch customer service. Unfortunately, the company doesn't have a place to provide that kind of feedback to prospective subscribers. Plus, the type of dessert in this club is pretty limited; not everyone is a huge fan of bread pudding, after all. And, with so many customer-unfriendly policies (like not being able to pause deliveries for any reason), Magnolia Bakery doesn't seem to have made the jump from in-person success to online subscriptions with as much skill as we'd like to see. Unless you're already a loyal fan of what this bakery offers, you're likely to enjoy one of our higher-rated dessert clubs a lot more.
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Where Can You Find the Most Delectable Dessert Clubs?
Imagine a world where delicious desserts are just a few clicks away. This is the magic of online dessert clubs, where sweet treats from around the globe arrive at your doorstep on a regular basis. Joining one of these clubs can be a delightful adventure, bringing joy and indulgence into your life, one dessert at a time.
How do these subscriptions work? Each month (or sometimes less frequently if you prefer), you receive a box filled with goodies. These treats can range from cookies and cakes to chocolates and pastries, which makes opening each box an exciting experience. But, if you've got some taste preferences (or even allergies), don't stress: most of the dessert clubs out there today will let you know in advance what's coming in your monthly box of sweets, so that you can hit "skip” if there's something on the schedule that you wouldn't enjoy.
Dessert Club FAQ
Continued from above...
Some dessert clubs offer a variety of payment options. You might find clubs that require an upfront payment for a certain number of months. This can be great if you want to commit to a long-term sweet experience without worrying about monthly bills, or if you're giving the dessert club as a gift that keeps giving. On the other hand, some clubs offer a pay-as-you-go plan, which allows you to enjoy the flexibility of deciding each month whether you want to continue. This can be perfect if you like the idea of trying a club without a long-term commitment, or your wallet can't quite accommodate paying in full.
Subscription plans can also vary in terms of delivery frequency. Some clubs send out dessert boxes every month, giving you a regular dose of sweetness to look forward to. Other clubs offer more spaced-out options, such as bi-monthly or quarterly deliveries. This can be ideal if you want to savor each dessert for longer or if you're watching your sugar intake but still want to indulge occasionally.
Choosing the right dessert club for you can depend on several factors. Here are some key criteria to consider:
- Variety of desserts. Think about what types of desserts you enjoy the most. Some clubs specialize in certain treats, like cookies or chocolates, while others offer a mix. If you have a sweet tooth for all kinds of desserts or you're a dedicated foodie craving new taste experiences, a club with a wide variety might be the best choice.
- Subscription flexibility. Consider how often you want to receive your dessert boxes. Monthly deliveries can be great if you love frequent treats, but bi-monthly or quarterly subscriptions might suit you better if you prefer to pace yourself. Also double-check how easy it is to pause your desserts if you're going to be out of town.
- Payment options and overall value. Decide if you prefer to pay upfront for a set period or if you like the flexibility of paying month-to-month. Upfront payments can sometimes offer a discount, but pay-as-you-go plans provide more freedom to cancel anytime. Is shipping included in your subscription fees? Do you get a lot of desserts for the money? Some dessert clubs give you nice extras like a fun newsletter, too.
- Customer reviews. Look at what other subscribers are saying about the treats and the service as a whole. Reviews can give you an idea of the quality and reliability of the club. Positive feedback about the taste and presentation of the desserts can help ensure you're choosing a reputable service. Is there a satisfaction guarantee?
Subscribing to a dessert club can be a fun and rewarding way to discover new flavors and indulge in high-quality sweets. With so many choices available, there's a perfect club out there for every dessert lover, and the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have done the oh-so-arduous work of evaluating some of today's sweetest options. Whether you're treating yourself or looking for a unique gift, the right dessert club is sure to bring a smile to your face with each delicious delivery.
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