Sweet savings! Where to find free cookies, delicious deals on Wednesday for National Cookie Day

Everyone gets to be a cookie monster Wednesday.

Dec. 4 is the made-up food holiday sweet dreams are made of: it's National Cookie Day.

Several businesses are celebrating with a batch of fresh freebies and delicious deals.

According to Ranker.com, a crowdsourced rankings website, the top five "most delicious kinds of desserts" are: ice cream, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate and milkshakes.

There are many days to celebrate the sweet circumference of the cookie – including National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, which is celebrated in May and August.

Because Wednesday isn't as plentiful with deals and freebies as other national days, we're filling your appetite with ongoing sign-up offers.

Holiday cheer: Starbucks releases new holiday drink and brings back Starbucks for Life contest

Chicken Sandwich War: McDonald's enters battle over best sandwich with test of two new crispy chicken sandwiches

Free cookies and deals

These specials are available at participating locations. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out.

DoubleTree: The Hilton hotel brand known for its warm cookies is celebrating the made-up holiday by giving guests and non-guests a free cookie Wednesday at U.S. DoubleTree locations.

Goodcents Subs: The chain is selling Free Cookies for a Year cards on its website for $25 each. With the card, available through Dec. 24 or while supplies last, get one free cookie per day. The proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City and there is a shipping fee of $1.95. Learn more and buy cards at www.goodcentssubs.com/freecookies.

Great American Cookies: Loyalty app member get a reward for a free Original Chocolate Chip Cookie Wednesday at participating stores. No purchase is necessary but the app must be downloaded and signup completed by midnight Tuesday to receive the offer.

Insomnia Cookies: Get a free traditional cookie Wednesday at the chain’s 145 locations, no purchase necessary. Plus, through Dec. 9, Insomnia has a contest where five people will win free cookies for a year.

Instacart: Ghiradelli and the on-demand delivery service are offering a “Buy 3, Save $1” deal on all Ghiradelli baking products through Dec. 29.

Jack in the Box: From Wednesday through Dec. 15, place a minimum order of $15 through Grubhub to get a free large Oreo Shake with free delivery. While supplies last.

Kum & Go: Members of &Rewards get a free cookie Wednesday. To join &Rewards, download the app by texting APP to 39771 or downloading from the Google Play or App Store.

Mrs. Fields: Get a free cookie with any purchase Wednesday.

Nestle Toll House Cafe by Chip: Through Dec. 11, get 12 classic cookies for $12. Not valid with any other offer.

Nestlé Toll House: The brand is giving away free limited-edition cookie cutters starting at noon EST Wednesday while supplies last on a special website.

Penn Station East Coast Subs: Get a free chocolate chunk cookie bite while supplies last Wednesday. No purchase is necessary and no coupon is required.

Sonic Drive-In: Not a Cookie Day deal, but get corn dogs for 50 cents each Wednesday.

Subway: The chain has Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookie launching in time for Cookie Day. Also the Gift-a-Cookie program is back and cards can be purchased at www.subway.com/sendcookies. The cookie eGift cards are available in increments of $1 for one cookie, $2 for three cookies or $8 for a dozen.

Whole Foods Market: From Wednesday through Dec. 10, Prime members will receive 35% off King Arthur flours and mixes, Wholesome sweeteners and Guittard baking chips at Whole Foods.

Sweet sign-up offers

The following sign-up offers are not just cookie-related deals but joining a rewards program or signing up for an email list has sweet perks. Be aware that sometimes the sign-up offer can take a couple hours to days to arrive in your inbox.

Baskin-Robbins: Download the app for a free scoop of ice cream.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: New members of the chain's rewards program also get a coupon for a free Pizookie for signing up www.bjsrestaurants.com.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream: New Sweet Rewards loyalty club members get a $3 reward to use toward ice cream purchases at participating shops. Sign up at www.brusterssweetrewards.com or download the app.

Captain D's: Join the chain's VIP Rewards Program and receive a free dessert. Sign up at www.captainds.com/d-club-and-deals.

Carvel: Join the Fudgie Fanatics email club for savings.

Cinnabon: Sign up for Club Cinnabon and get a coupon for a free Minibon.

Coco's Bakery: Join the West Coast chain's eClub for a free slice of pie.

Cold Stone Creamery: Join My Cold Stone Club Rewards and get a buy one, get one free Creation coupon loaded to your account.

Corner Bakery Café: Get a free dessert for signing up for the eClub at www.cornerbakerycafe.com/eclub.

CREAM: Join CREAM Rewards at www.creamnation.com/rewards for savings. The chain's name stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me.

Culver’s: Create a MyCulver’s account and get a free scoop.

Dairy Queen: Find deals in the chain's mobile app and for a limited time, download the Dairy Queen app and register for an account and get a free small Blizzard treat at participating locations. Limit one offer per person per visit.

Dippin' Dots: Join the Dot Crazy! Email Club for coupons and promotions.

Ikea: Join Ikea Family and get a free coffee or hot tea when you visit the Swedish retailer's U.S. locations. Also get price protection and other perks.

Jack in the Box: Sign up for offers at www.jackinthebox.com/offers.

Krispy Kreme: Join the chain's reward program and get a free doughnut of your choice.

Marble Slab Creamery: Get free ice cream at Marble Slab or MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream for downloading the Slab Happy Rewards app.

McDonald’s: The fast-food chain’s app has ongoing coupons. Download the app at www.mcdonalds.com.

Mimi's Cafe: Get a free, classic two pack of Mimi's muffins or croissants when you join the e-Club. Sign up at www.mimiscafe.com/eclub.

Olive Garden: Get a free appetizer or dessert with purchase of two entree and a coupon you'll get for signing up for emails.

Panera Bread: Earn rewards for your purchases and get a birthday freebie with the MyPanera loyalty program. Sign up at www.panerabread.com.

PDQ: Join the chain's Fan Club for coupons and a birthday freebie at www.eatpdq.com.

Pizza Inn: Choose a free medium Chocolate Chip Pizzert or pepperoni twists when you sign up for the rewards program.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Download the Potbelly Perks app and get a free cookie.

Rita's Ice: Join Rita's Rewards at www.ritasice.com/ritas-rewards and the birthday club at www.ritasice.com/connect/birthday-club.

Scooter's Coffee: Download the mobile app at www.scooterscoffee.com/mobileapp to start earning rewards.

Shake Shack: Sign up for exclusive offers at www.shakeshack.com.

Sonic Drive-In: Find deals at www.sonicdrivein.com/deals and download the Sonic app for a free slush or drink at www.sonicdrivein.com/app. Also with the app, get drinks and slushes for half price when you order ahead.

Starbucks: Earn free drinks with the Starbucks Rewards program and get perks including free in-store refills and a birthday freebie. Learn more and register at www.starbucks.com.

Steak 'n Shake: Find savings, learn more about half-price happy hour and join the rewards program at www.steaknshake.com.

sweetFrog: Join the chain's loyalty program at www.sweetfrog.com/loyalty for discounts.

TCBY: Download the TCBY app at www.tcby.com/loyalty to start earning rewards.

TGI Fridays: Join the rewards program and choose a free appetizer or dessert.

TooJay's: Get a free dessert for joining the Delicious Rewards program at www.toojays.com/delicious-rewards.

Village Inn: Join the eClub for a free slice of pie.

Wendy’s: Get special offers with the chain's smartphone app.

Yogurtland: Get three ounces of frozen yogurt for free for registering for Yogurtland Real Rewards.

More rewards: Many smaller chains and local restaurants also have loyalty programs.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Cookie Day 2019: Where to get free cookies and deals Dec. 4