McDonald’s Once Sold Character-Themed Cookies Now Only Available Abroad
McDonaldland Cookies, featuring characters like Grimace and Ronald McDonald, were a Happy Meal staple from 1979 until the early 2000s.
McDonald’s once delighted customers with its McDonaldland Cookies, a lemon-flavored, character-adorned treat that was a popular fixture in Happy Meals nationwide. Introduced in 1974 and becoming a regular Happy Meal item in 1979, these cookies featured the faces of beloved McDonald's characters such as Grimace, Ronald McDonald, Birdie, and the Hamburglar. Baked by Keebler, they had a crunchy texture and a subtle lemon taste, often described as a cross between shortbread and animal crackers.
The cookies were sold in small plastic bags or brightly colored cardboard boxes that also depicted the McDonald's characters. However, the menu item was discontinued in the early 2000s, with the official removal from U.S. locations occurring between 2003 and 2004. This change coincided with McDonald's broader initiative to offer healthier options in Happy Meals, such as apple slices.
While McDonaldland Cookies are no longer available in the United States, select McDonald's locations in Australia continue to offer them. New Zealand restaurants serve a similar treat known as "McHappy Cookies." Fans have also noted that certain animal crackers sold at Aldi supermarkets, under the brand name Benton's, bear a resemblance in flavor and texture to the original McDonaldland Cookies.
The McDonaldland characters themselves have seen a resurgence in recent years. In 2023, the popular Grimace Shake, a limited-time birthday celebration for the character, was released. Additionally, McDonald's has sporadically offered adult Happy Meals since 2022, allowing customers to reconnect with the nostalgia of the Happy Meal experience, which for some may have included the original McDonaldland Cookies.