National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day brings free cookies and sweet savings Wednesday

There are many days to celebrate the sweet circumference of the cookie.

Wednesday is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, a made-up food holiday that happens again Aug. 4.

The cookie catchall day is Dec. 4, which is National Cookie Day and a bigger discount day than Wednesday.

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

While there are few specials Wednesday, we're filling your appetite for fresh freebies and deals with ongoing sign-up offers.

May 15 also is White Castle's National Slider Day.

Get a free slider and small Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage with a coupon posted at www.whitecastle.com. Also through the end of May, buy two boxes of any four or six count sliders in stores and get $1 cashback with the Checkout51 app. 

May deals:Where to get free food and other discounts this month

Cookie time:Oreo introduces 5 new flavors, including s'mores, latte and maple

Chocolate Chip Cookie Day deals

Einstein Bros. Bagels: If you're part of the Shmear Society, get a free cookie with any purchase and a coupon in your email or loaded to your rewards account. Sign up for future offers at www.einsteinbros.com/shmear-society-rewards.

Fresh Market: On Wednesday, 18-count Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies are $1.99.

Nestlé Toll House Café: All locations are giving away free chocolate chip cookies all-day Wednesday. In-store only, while supplies last. Limit one per guest.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Get a free oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with any purchase Wednesday.

Wendy’s: For a limited time, the fast-food chain has a new Frosty Cookie Sundae with vanilla Frosty, chocolate chunk cookie and Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce for $1.99. Price and participation may vary. Also small Frosty treats are 50 cents.

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. In October, small Cappuccino Blasts are $2.99.

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 including buy-one-get-one free offers in the chain's mobile app to use at participating locations. Limit one offer per person per visit.

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

Great American Cookies: Download the Great American Cookies Rewards App and make a $3 or more purchase and get a $5 reward.

Häagen-Dazs: With the new Sweet Rewards program, earn a free cone following your first purchase after downloading the app and joining the loyalty program. Learn more and download the app at www.haagendazs.us/shops/loyalty.

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, plus a treat for signing up. 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