9 Frozen Desserts These Registered Dietitians Will Be Buying on Repeat This Spring

As the weather starts to change, you, like me, may find yourself entertaining more. And while I love to bake and prepare homemade desserts for my guests, I don’t always have the time or the energy. As it turns out, neither do my fellow registered dietitians. I asked several of them which frozen desserts they’re stocking up on this time of year. A definite theme emerged (ahem, ice cream), but there are also some chocolate and cheesecake recommendations.

Buy these for a planned or impromptu gathering. Or, you know, pick them up just for yourself. Because a party of one is still a good time!

“Mochi is a tiny treat, so guests can try just a taste without making a big commitment,” says Marie Murphy, MS, RDN, CLT. “This dessert pairs the floral, bittersweet notes of green tea with the creamy and satisfying textures of ice cream. Add in the chewiness of mochi, and you have a dessert that is sure to wow your dinner guests!”

Buy: Sweety Ice Cream’s Matcha Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream, $6.99 for 8.4 ounces at Instacart

“The colors of these Macarons are perfect for a spring party,” says Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND. “They come in a 12-pack with six different flavors. Simply thaw and serve — and watch how quickly they disappear.” 

Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s French Macarons, $5.49 for 4.2 ounces at Trader Joe’s

“This dietitian is not about to tell you to skip out on dessert! Instead, it’s all about finding a healthy balance and enjoying sweets in moderation,” says Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices. “When entertaining, I always love setting out a platter of these bite-sized Mad Minis ice cream sandwiches for people to grab. They come in all different flavors, including blondie and black raspberry, and are perfect for spring!”

Buy: Mad Minis Black Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches, $7.99 for 12 ounces at Instacart

“As a working mom of two young kids, preparing frozen desserts from scratch when having family and friends over is too time-consuming,” says Joanna Ayalloore, MS, RDN, CNSC. “In my freezer, I always have Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone Ice Cream — they’re so kid-friendly and I love the fact that they come in seasonal flavors, too.”

Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Hold the Cone, $3.49 for 7.9 ounces at Trader Joe’s

“To me, there is nothing better than a warm, gooey chocolate lava cake. The frozen chocolate lava cakes from Trader Joe’s heat up in less than one minute and are sure to impress your guests. Just top with some whipped cream and strawberries,” says Rebecca Jaspan, MPH, RD, CDN, CDCES.  

Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Lava Cakes, $3.49 for 7.6 ounces at Trader Joe’s

“One frozen dessert I love is Coolhaus Awesome Ice Cream Midnight Munchies. Peanut butter and chocolate is my favorite combination when it comes to frozen desserts, and this one is creamy and delicious. It is also a bit salty, which balances out the sweetness perfectly,” says Jinan Banna, PhD, RD.

Buy: Coolhaus Awesome Ice Cream Midnight Munchies, $7.19 for 1 pint at Instacart

“Ice cream for dessert is almost always a crowd-pleaser and I love to change it up a little by serving a coconut-based ice cream,” says Marie Murphy, MS, RDN, CLT. “Coconut offers a similar mouthfeel to a dairy ice cream, and while I like to experiment with non-dairy alternatives, I am a purist when it comes to flavor. Coconut Bliss’ Madagascan Vanilla Bean certainly hits the mark for a simple, elegant, and delicious dessert that will complement any meal.”

Buy: Coconut Bliss Madagascan Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, $7.65 for 1 pint at Instacart

“When I entertain, I like to have options that meet the needs of all my guests — and I usually have someone in a dinner party who is either vegan or lactose-intolerant,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, plant-based recipe developer, and owner of Master the Media. “That’s why I love this pick; it’s made with completely plant-based ingredients and is also gluten-free and kosher. Plus, who can say no to caramel?”

Buy: KIND Frozen Caramel Almond Sea Salt Ice Cream, $6.99 for 1 pint at Instacart

“I love this dessert because it comes with 63 individually packed miniature cheesecakes in three flavors: Plain, Caramel Chocolate Chip, and Raspberry Swirl,” says Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes. “Simply thaw what you need and serve. These bites are perfect for entertaining a group.”

Buy: Member’s Mark Cheesecake Miniatures, $12.58 for 47.25 ounces at Sam’s Club

What’s your favorite frozen dessert to buy at the grocery store? Tell us in the comments below.