Introduced in 1974, McDonaldland Cookies became a regular addition to McDonald’s Happy Meals when they debuted nationwide in 1979, but the beloved menu item was discontinued in the early 2000s, to the disappointment of many fans.The small, crunchy, cookies were baked for McDonald’s by Keebler, had a subtle lemon flavor and featured the faces of beloved McDonald’s characters like Grimace, Ronald McDonald, Birdie, and Hamburglar.McDonald's used to sell cookies that featured the faces of Ronald McDonald and other characters.(Getty Images)Customers described them as a cross between shortbread and animal crackers, and McDonaldland Cookies came in either a little plastic bag or a brightly colored cardboard box that also showed the faces of McDonald’s characters.The fast food chain altered its Happy Meals to include healthier items such as apple slices in the early 2000s.MCDONALD'S REVIVES DECADES-OLD FAVORITE FOR AMERICA 250 AFTER YEARS OF CUSTOMER REQUESTSBetween 2003 and 2004, McDonaldland Cookies were discontinued at all U.S.
locations.Chocolate chip cookies, however, remained on the menu.A McDonald's Big Mac meal in 1994 (right) next to a British McDonald's menu in 1993 (left).(Harry Prosser/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images; King/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)McDonald’s has been serving some variation of chocolate chip cookies since the early 1970s, with today's chewy, soft-baked version introduced in 2012.MCDONALD'S BRINGS BACK POPULAR ITEM FOR SHORT TIME AS ONE STATE GETS A TREATAlthough McDonaldland Cookies are no longer available in the United States, select McDonald’s locations in Australia still offer them, and certain New Zealand restaurants serve the treat under the name "McHappy Cookies."Fans have also shared on Reddit that a cookie with a flavor and texture similar to the original McDonaldland cookies is available at Aldi supermarkets.AMERICA'S FAVORITE FAST-FOOD CHAIN NAMED: MCDONALD'S WINS HEARTS BUT NOT BEST BURGER, SURVEY S...