KANSAS CITY — Restaurants are doubling up on dessert with new menu items that combine multiple sweet components.

Krispy Kreme donuts and Reese’s peanut butter pair up in the new Krispy Kreme Reese’s Peanut Butter Doughnut. The donut is filled with a Reese’s peanut butter crème filling, dipped in chocolate icing and topped with a chocolate and peanut butter drizzle, peanuts and Reese’s mini peanut butter chips.

Jackie Woodward, Krispy Kreme
Jackie Woodward, c.m.o. of Krispy Kreme

“Similar to our hot, fresh donuts, the matchmaking of chocolate and peanut butter is a delicious combination that consumers have enjoyed for generations,” said Jackie Woodward, chief marketing officer of Krispy Kreme. “In partnering with The Hershey Co., we’re satisfying an intense desire that Krispy Kreme and Reese’s fans never knew they had.”

Cheesecake and Oreo cookies combine in Baskin-Robbins’ new ice cream flavor: Oreo Cheesecake Ice Cream. The frozen treat features Oreo cookie and cheesecake pieces with a chocolate cookie crumb ribbon all combined in a cheesecake-flavored ice cream.

IHOP’s new offerings feature fusions of two sweet breakfast favorites: french toast and donuts. The Bacon & Maple French Toasted Donut is a Bavarian cream-filled donut dipped in vanilla french toast batter, griddled, then topped with maple glaze and hickory-smoked bacon crumbles. The Strawberries & Cream French Toasted Donut is a Bavarian cream-filled donut dipped in vanilla french toast batter, griddled, then topped with strawberries in a strawberry glaze and powdered sugar. The Apple Fritter French Toasted Donut is a warm apple fritter dipped in vanilla french toast batter, griddled, then topped with sweet cinnamon apples, powdered sugar and whipped topping.

Nevielle Panthaky, IHOP
Nevielle Panthaky, vice-president of culinary at IHOP

"At IHOP, we're always looking for fresh new ways to excite our guests and bring unexpected flavors together," said Nevielle Panthaky, vice-president of culinary at IHOP. "This is a delicious mash-up of the classic donut everyone knows and loves, dipped in a creamy vanilla batter, french toasted to a light golden brown and topped off with flavors such as maple glaze and hickory-smoked bacon. And who better to do it than IHOP, the brand that has owned all-day breakfast for almost six decades?"

A trio of treats collide Dairy Queen’s new Blizzard flavor. The new Triple Truffle Blizzard Treat features fudge, peanut butter and caramel truffles blended with vanilla soft serve.

Barry Westrum, Dairy Queen
Barry Westrum, executive vice-president of marketing for Dairy Queen

“When you open that box of chocolates, it’s like going on a treasure hunt. When you bite into one of your favorites, it’s such a sweet surprise. That’s what inspired the Triple Truffle Blizzard Treat,” said Barry Westrum, executive vice-president of marketing for Dairy Queen. “We did the work so our fans don’t have to by choosing the best truffles from the box that delight with excitement, discovery and the tastiest trio of flavors.”

Belgian waffles team up with chocolate hazelnut spread and ice cream in White Castle’s new dessert offerings. The Waffles with Nutella features a thick layer of Nutella hazelnut spread sandwiched between two Belgian waffles, while the Belgian Waffle Sundae features a Belgian waffle topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and Ghirardelli chocolate sauce.

Click to view a slideshow of new menu items.