7 Brew Debuts 5 New Fall Baked Goods And (Mostly) Sticks The Landing

You're going to want to stop what you're doing right now. We have big news in the world of fast food. 7 Brew, the drive-thru chain that's only been known to this point for its customizable bevy of beverages (and perhaps the one-off muffin top), is now diving deeper into the food scene.

No, the chain isn't adding full kitchens to its teeny-tiny locations. But as of November 1, its menu has gained not one, not two, but five never-before-seen baked goods. It's a move that could help the chain shake its reputation as a bit of a one-trick pony and give it a better shot at competing with more established coffee giants like the Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts of the world. Of course, it also gives customers another reason to swing back through and something new to pair with their favorite 7 Brew drink.

Speaking of which, some of the new baked goods actually play off the flavors of the chain's most popular original beverages, including Blondie and Banana Bread. So, there's already a sense of familiarity to the lineup. And it doesn't take much to get me on board with coffeehouse goodies — especially when there's something brand new to try. So, I took it upon myself to sample all five additions and see if they're worth tacking onto your next 7 Brew order. Is the chain better off sticking in its beverage lane, or is this the start of something delicious?

7 Brew debuted all five of its new baked goods on Sunday, November 1, and I was one of the first in line that morning to pick up each one. The new lineup included a Blondie Bar, Brunette Mocha Brownie Bar, Chunk Cookie Bar, Banana Bread Mocha Chip Loaf, and Blueberry Streusel Loaf. Each one rings up at $3. This also happened to be the day that six new 7 Brew beverages were released, including coffees, energy drinks, and sodas. I tried those as well, but that's a matter for a different taste test.

Once I got home, I tried each of the five new treats, taking note of the flavors baked into each one. I also paid close attention to the texture of each baked good, including whether it was moist and soft or a little too dry. Sweetness was another consideration. I wanted something that satisfied my sweet tooth without going overboard on sugar. Freshness was also important. I didn't expect any of these treats to taste like they were fresh from the oven (because they're not), but I also didn't want them to taste overly packaged or processed.

Finally, for each treat, I decided whether it was something that actually bolstered the 7 Brew menu or if the chain would be better off without it. From there, I made my final decision about the new baked goods drop as a whole.

Fans will be excited to hear that one of 7 Brew's most popular original drinks, its Blondie Breve, is now available as an edible sweet treat. It borrows those vanilla and caramel flavors from the beverage and pumps them into a dessert bar. Then it decorates the square with a caramel drizzle on top. The whole thing clocks in at 280 calories.

It's a bar just like grandma would make. The texture is ultra-soft and sticky, to the point that it almost suctions onto your teeth. But, not necessarily in a bad way. It's the kind of consistency that makes it seem a tad undercooked and all the more indulgent.

Caramel is the main flavor I got from it, especially with the drizzle on top accentuating that buttery, caramelized sugar taste even more. The vanilla isn't quite as noticeable, but I'm sure it's baked in there somewhere, working in the background to create that wonderfully sweet flavor. The base itself isn't completely unlike that of a chocolate chip cookie, just without the chocolate chips. But it seems even more sugary, and the thickness of the bar makes it feel like a more decadent version of the classic confection.

Some people like blondes. Some prefer brunettes. When it comes to 7 Brew's dessert bars, I'd have to say I'm team blonde.

The Brunette Mocha Brownie Bar just didn't do it for me. It's meant to be a mocha brownie that's studded with semi-sweet chocolate chunks and supposedly espresso as well. It also contains a few more calories than the blondie, sitting at 310. I didn't really get any of that roasted coffee flavor, so that essentially left me with a normal double chocolate brownie. It's definitely chocolatey — almost too chocolatey, if you ask me. I know it sounds silly to say, but the chocolate chunks were actually a little too big and clunky for my liking.

Overall, it does have that fudgy brownie texture, but the taste doesn't quite deliver the same richness or that distinct brownie flavor I was hoping for. Out of all the new baked goods, this was also the one that tasted the most packaged and the least fresh to me. It's just not as satisfying as the Blondie Bar, in my opinion. I'd rather take my Brunette Mocha in its original drinkable form.

The Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bar lands somewhere in between the other two bars — in terms of calorie count, sitting at 290, but also in terms of enjoyability. I didn't like it quite as much as the caramel-infused Blondie. But it was more enticing than the Brunette brownie.

Even though it looks as dry as all get out, and it was crumbling as I removed it from the packaging, it's actually decently soft and chewy on the inside. I wouldn't describe it as doughy, by any means. It was cooked well past that point. But still, the texture was just fine.

Flavor-wise, it's definitely sugary, and my husband was actually the one who pointed out that it tastes very similar to a Chips Ahoy! cookie. Not so much the crispy original, but more like one of the brand's softer, chunkier, or chewier versions. There are also chocolate shards scattered throughout, just like the ones found in the brownie. I still they're a little too large, but there's a better contrast here between the chips and the non-cocoa-based cookie. It makes the entire thing feel like less of a chocolate overload.

There are the bars, and then there are the breads. Two sweet breakfast breads, that is, in the form of adorable little loaves so you can have one all to yourself. First up is the Banana Bread Mocha Chip Loaf. Banana-flavored foods and drinks are majorly trending right now. And banana has actually been a core 7 Brew syrup option for a long time. So, this fits the bill. But it also feels like a nostalgic, homemade take on the classic baked good.

I was honestly shocked at just how moist this little loaf is, to the point that it almost melts in your mouth. It's similar to a muffin, but the crumb is even finer and softer.

It's made with real banana puree, which is good to see. I will say the fruity flavor it produces is pretty light, but at least it doesn't taste artificial in any way. Then there are the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, which really sell it for me. There are just enough of them to help balance out the softness of the bread, plus they give the loaf an extra hit of indulgence. It's worth each one of its 340 calories.

It really is a toss-up between the banana bread and the Blueberry Streusel Loaf for me. They're both equally delicious.

That same incredibly tender and moist texture from the banana bread is back. Only this time, instead of banana and chocolate chips, the loaf is packed with real blueberries and topped with a layer of streusel, adding up to a total of 330 calories. The natural berry flavor lingers throughout the bread, even in sections that don't include a full blueberry. It's almost like a fruity pound cake, and the streusel on top makes it feel like even more of a treat. I will say that I could have gone for even more of that buttery streusel baked on top. It was also more soft than crumbly, probably a result of being stored in the wrapping. But it would have been nice to get a little of that crunch to offset the spongy bread underneath.

Even without a sturdier streusel topping, I really couldn't complain. If this had been a blind taste test and you told me either of these breads came straight from an in-house bakery like the one at Panera or Corner Bakery Cafe, I would have believed you.

It's hard to know what to expect when a chain comes out with an entirely new line of items, especially ones that are completely outside of its wheelhouse. It could be a rocky start, but I think 7 Brew handled this new venture surprisingly well. If we were to put it to a vote, I would opt for these new baked goods to stay put on the menu.

For packaged treats, these really hold their own. Both breads are especially delicious. They're packed with natural fruit flavors and just enough add-ins. And don't even get me started on how soft and supple those mini loaves are. I would happily order either one again in a heartbeat alongside my customized morning coffee. The chain does waver a little bit when it comes to the bar lineup. The Blondie Bar stands out as the best of the three, while the other two were just alright in my opinion. But considering the source and 7 Brew's lack of on-site ovens, I think the chain still deserves some credit for what it's managed to pull off.

All things considered, I'd call this a successful release for the beverage chain. I also wouldn't mind seeing these treats turn up in grocery stores alongside 7 Brew's ready-to-drink coffees and energy drinks. And I certainly wouldn't be opposed to seeing new flavor options roll in with the changing seasons.