Starting college at BYU can feel overwhelming, so a little comfort food can go a long way.
At BYU, that comfort often comes in the form of desserts which have become staples of the student experience.
“Some people have probably never seen some of the things we do here, so they should be open to trying everything,” Fernanda Dutra, BYU Dining Services executive pastry chef, said.
For the best comfort food on long days of studying, Dutra recommended students try BYU’s Milk & Cookies.
“Milk & Cookies is the most comfortable food we have; it’s the best, especially if you’re new on campus and overwhelmed with classes,” she said.
No guide to treats on BYU campus would be complete without mention of the mint brownie, sold all across campus at nearly every retail location and marked as part of BYU’s “tradition", along with the chocolate cinnamon bears and BYU’s own chocolate milk.
“Mint brownies are a must, it’s our tradition,” Dutra said. “Everybody loves our mint brownies.”
On game days, the iconic Cougar Tail, a 16-inch maple-glazed donut sold by BYU concessions, is exclusively available at any sporting event.
Also at sporting events, and anytime and most anywhere on campus is BYU creamery ice cream, available at locations such as the BYU Creamery on Ninth, the BYU Bookstore and even vending machines found in buildings all over campus.
This fall, the creamery has introduced a new item, an ice cream bar shaped as a paw, dipped in chocolate, called Cougar Paw.
Dutra said it is not a cheap chocolate glaze.
“We use very good quality couverture chocolate,” she said. “It’s coming out now at football games and when the new Creamery opens, they’re going to have it there as well.”
The BYU Bookstore also offers a variety of sweets and treats, with items made in-house and courses from local Utah vendors, all available through their full-service candy counter. Some of these local vendor companies include Provo’s Taste Chocolate and Salt Lake City’s Taffy Town.
“We have something here for everyone, for every palette,” Lisa Walters, BYU Bookstore manager and fudge maker, said. “All of our fudge can be warmed up, and the cinnamon bears are what we’re known for; students are going to find something they’ll love here.”
Walters also emphasized the affordability to match a student budget.
“They can come in and get as much or as little as they want,” she said. “We know the pocketbook is tight, so they can just come and get whatever and however much their heart desires.”
Where to Find BYU’s Sweet Staples
- BYU Ice Cream — Creamery on Ninth, other Creamery locations, vending machines, BYU Store, Library Café; select pints can be shipped nationwide.
- Mint Brownies — Creamery, Cougar Express, BYU Store, available in bulk through BYU Food-to-Go.
- Chocolate Cinnamon Bears — Creamery, BYU Store, most campus retail outlets.
- Cougar Tail Donut — BYU sporting event concessions only.
- Cougar Paw Ice Cream Bar — BYU sporting events and the new Creamery on Ninth at launch.
- Cookies & Milk — CougarEat cookie shop.
- Local Chocolates, Fudge and Truffles — Full-service candy counter inside the BYU Store.
- BYU Chocolate Milk Varieties — Available across campus dining locations.
- Guava and Coconut Cake — Aloha Plate, CougarEat.
From ice cream cones and brownies to handcrafted truffles and Cougar Tails, BYU’s treats reflect both tradition and innovation.
For Walters, the fun lies in the creativity of making fudge and other sweets. For Dutra, it’s about bringing new ideas to life with quality ingredients.