Starbucks has always been better at food than they are at coffee, in my opinion. There’s a surprisingly large array of food on offer at the ‘Bucks, no matter what time of day you might find yourself there.
When it comes to Starbucks bakery items, there are over 20 options available across the country, so I hit my local Starbucks location and grabbed what they had left. Here are eight Starbucks pastries, ranked.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Best: Ham & Swiss Croissant
$4.65
A buttery croissant stuffed with meat and cheese is rarely a bad thing. The ham is indistinguishable from the bacon that appears in some of the breakfast sandwiches, but what do I care? This is a zero-flake croissant that reminds me of Pillsbury in the best possible way, and though I only got it because my store was out of chocolate croissants, I’m glad that I did.
2. Glazed Doughnut
$2.45
I’m a fan of cakey, old fashioned-style doughnuts, and that’s exactly what this is. If Krispy Kreme’s lighter-than-air perfection is all you seek when it comes to a glazed doughnut, you may not want to investigate this big, sticky baked good covered in sweet icing. If you play for both teams, like I do, you’ll be happy as a clam.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookie
$2.75
Is this the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had? Of course not. Does that matter? Of course not. A chocolate chip cookie is a chocolate chip cookie, and since Starbucks is offering to warm this up for you, this should satisfy any cookie-related cravings.
4. Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf
$3.95
This is a pretty tasty treat, but to really enjoy pumpkin flavored snacks, I think seasonality plays a large role. If it was October, this whole experience would be a little more magical. It’s currently mid-June, and I feel insane eating a pumpkin loaf.
Related: Like Disgusting, Overpriced Coffee? Try Starbucks New Olive Oil-Infused Coffees
5. Cheese Danish
$3.65
I like the cream cheese center quite a bit in this Danish, but the bland outer pastry seems to expand forever in its tedium. If there’s no flavor to be found except in the center, I’m not sure this is worth my time.
Related: What Starbucks Baristas Really Think When You ‘Pay it Forward’ at the Drive-Thru
Trending on Cheapism
6. Blueberry Muffin
$3.45
I really like blueberry muffins, but there’s a funk that I can’t place hanging around this muffin. What’s causing this? Is it the wrapper? Is it the blueberries? Something isn’t right.
Related: 33 Cheap, Easy Breakfast Ideas to Start the Day Right
7. Cinnamon Coffee Cake
$3.85
This is the type of thing that should have taken first place, because it seems pretty hard to screw up coffee cake. I’m not loving the Starbucks take, featuring a not-very-cinnamony pastry that crumbles into oblivion the minute you touch it. Though coffee cake is generally pretty reliable, I’d stick with one of Starbucks’ breakfast sandwiches instead.
8. Birthday Cake Pop
$2.95
Wowie, this is not for me. Perhaps I picked a bad pop, but this is a huge no-thanks on my end. The inside is so thick and doughy that I almost thought it was raw. I don’t think it’s usually raw, but as soon as I thought of that word, the whole thing began to taste a little off. It’s probably in my head, right?
… right?
For more great taste tests, please sign up for our free newsletters.
