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Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones Review: Hold the Cone, Grab a Smile

There are some products that Trader Joe's can do no wrong with. So many of them are in the dessert section too. Their macarons are solid, the key lime pie is just hitting shelves as is the seasonal macaron aux framboises, and don't forget about Trader Joe's Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches live up to their name.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones

Taste

But you know what else lives up to the hype? The line of mini ice cream cones.

I can't tell you how many times I go into the store and they are seemingly cleaned out of them.

Chocolate and vanilla cones are the standard year round flavor variety.

The concept behind these are simple: they are mini ice cream cones that handle a very basic problem very well: they drippiness of the ice cream cone. There is a generous pool of chocolate at the bottom of the cone to prevent this and the ice cream is coated in chocolate at the top.

If you are a Fall flavor fan then they even sell seasonally available pumpkin ones. The key difference with those is that those do not have a chocolate coating, they have a white coating.

And then there are my favorites: the winter peppermint ones. First off, the ice cream flavor is really good. But also, the cone was chocolate. And it was well done.

It wasn't one of those brown cones that maybe tasted sort of like chocolate. Those cones were solidly made and tasted of chocolate.

So, this variety is a mashup of the vanilla variety with some added mini chocolate chips and the cone from the seasonal peppermint ones.

Really there is nothing to complain about here other than Trader Joe's could be more adventurous with flavors.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some common questions about this product

Are Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones seasonal?

Yes, Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones are the summer seasonal flavor.

How much is Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Ice Cream Cones?

Each package of cones costs $2.99.

How many calories in Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones?

Each serving of these is 270 calories. A serving is 3 cones.

Overall

For $2.99 these are always a pleaser and a good deal. I just haven't figured out why they only sell a really small box of these.

And seriously, these boxes usually disappear in one sitting. Does anyone else have that problem?

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones again.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product Photos

The box of Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones:

The nutritional information and the ingredients

Nutritional facts and ingredients in Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones

The description from the side of the box:

Description on the side of the box of Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones

Out of the package you get:

An opened box of Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones showing the contents of the box

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Trader Joe's Strawberry Lemon Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

If you listen to the Trader Joe's podcast then you knew that there were two new strawberry items hitting shelves. If you didn't know, then perhaps you are like me and live at the new items end case.

Trying this out

The first strawberry item is this ultra-moisturizing hand cream. The second is a strawberry scrub (review coming soon).

Now, Trader Joe's has offered a few varieties of ultra-moisturizing hand cream. They tend to offer a trio around the holidays, but they also offer a rose one starting around Valentine's Day which then disappears around Mother's Day.

Which one would I reach for if they were all on the shelves at the same time?

This one.

All of them accomplish the ultra-moisturizing aspect very well. Now, especially with all the added hand washing I find myself doing, this keeps the dryness in check.

But what stands out here is the fragrance. The rose was nice, but there is something about a fruity fragrance that makes me swoon.

I kept putting my hands to my face just to sniff the lotion (I'm not sure if that is now a bad thing or not). But this smells more of fresh strawberries than lemon.

In fact, I detected very little lemon fragrance here. And it was a more natural strawberry fragrance than an artificial smelling one.

Overall

At $4.99 for a 3-ounce tube, this is a pretty good deal. And if you are a fan of sweet fruity fragrances then you'll love this.

If you are sensitive to smells, then pick up the regular ultra-moisturizing hand lotion or wait for the holiday trio to come out as those are more neutral in the aroma.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Strawberry Lemon Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream again. I think there are a few more tubes in my future.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The visual rundown

The box of Trader Joe's Strawberry Lemon Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream:

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Strawberry Lemon Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

The ingredients and instructions

Ingredients and how to use Trader Joe's Strawberry Lemon Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

Out of the package you get:

Trader Joe's Strawberry Lemon Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream out of the box to show the tube and packaging.

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

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Trader Joe's Cauliflower Thins

If I've had any complaints about the variety of food offered it tends to be only one: too many carbs/sugar. Well, perhaps Trader Joe's is finally going to get on the low-carb bandwagon with this product. Behold, yet another way Trader Joe's is sneaking cauliflower into their products.

Taste

Now, my mom is on the Keto diet. And yes, that is a really low-carb diet. So whenever we dine together we need to make every carb count. Or was that count every carb? No matter because with this bread substitute you are only getting 1 net carb per serving.

My biggest concern was how much it would taste like cauliflower. You see cauliflower isn't exactly my favorite flavor in the world. But I like it when it gets mixed in and plays a supporting role.

So if it is the bread you are looking to banish, then this is a pretty darn good substitute as long as you are willing to pony up $3.99 for the four pieces in this small package.

This is pricey for what you are getting.

But price complaints to the side, you'll also need to look a little harder for this too. It isn't located with the bread products either. This is hiding out in the refrigerated aisle.

But assuming you are willing to shell out the money for this and you can find it, this is a pretty solid substitute for bread.

Its texture isn't bread-like, but it serves a similar purpose. I used this as something closer to a substitute for tortillas and pita bread.

And to be honest, I didn't miss the bread here. It still had a decent bread-like texture. But it added a taste and texture were a little more on par with an omelet with the flavors of egg and parmesan cheese overpowering the cauliflower.

Perhaps the cauliflower would be more prominent if I had heated this up. But I ate it straight from the refrigerator. That I think muted the cauliflower taste.

In terms of size, if you've had one of those sandwich thins that are also 100 calories, then they are about the same size. And about the same calories. Except for the sandwich thins aren't gluten-free and despite the fiber in those, this is still 1 net carb per serving.

So I appreciate Trader Joe's trying to be more inclusive of the low carb folk.

Frequently asked questions

How much are Trader Joe's cauliflower thins?

These cost $3.99 and four small thins come in a pack

How can I enjoy these?

You can make the into mini pizzas, grilled cheese, sandwich bread, or even as a bread replacement.

Overall

But there is something here that even the people who aren't low carb can eat and enjoy.

Would I buy this again? Trader Joe's Cauliflower Thins are a yes for me, but aren't going to be a staple. I think with just 3 ingredients I'm going to look into making this at home, especially for the price.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product Photos

The bag of Trader Joe's Cauliflower Thins:

The nutritional information and ingredients

Nutritional facts and ingredient list in Trader Joe's Cauliflower Thins

The product description:

The description on the side of the bag of Trader Joe's Cauliflower Thins

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Vanilla Non Dairy Frozen Dessert

So let's be honest. There are a lot of people out there who cannot have dairy for a variety of reasons: perhaps they are lactose intolerant or perhaps for ethical reasons. So why not add to the long list of nondairy dessert options at Trader Joe's?

Taste

Most of the current options are a soy or coconut base. This breaks the mold a bit here with the use of almond as the base.

When I saw almond beverage in the top of the ingredients I worried that this might be thin. Thin like trying to make ice cream out of skim milk. However, that couldn't have been further than what you get in this container.

This vegan ice cream or "non-dairy frozen dessert" could easily pass as frozen yogurt or ice cream in terms of texture. I think some people would be surprised as to how close it is to its non-vegan equivalent.

The packaging does mention that it is made with almonds, however, the texture is smooth. So please don't expect slivers of actual almonds. Just think of this the way you would a vegan vanilla ice cream.

And while it is vanilla in flavor, the almond flavor also shines through in a subtle but pleasant way.

Overall, this was a really pleasant surprise. I didn't feel like I was missing anything. And other than the almond flavor I didn't feel like I was eating anything other than ice cream. Ok, it didn't quite have the creaminess of super-premium ice cream, but this was pretty darn good.

And yes, I am referring to Trader Joe's Vanilla French Vanilla Ice Cream which is off the charts good. But again, that is a super premium and you will know the difference. But against a generic vanilla ice cream, this non-dairy variety does well.

Overall

For $3.99 this a solid item to try regardless of whether you are vegan, gluten-free or just enjoy a good dessert.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert again.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

A visual rundown

The pint of Trader Joe's Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert:

The nutritional information

Nutritional facts and calories in Trader Joe's Vanilla Non Dairy Frozen Dessert

The ingredients

Ingredients and allergy information for Trader Joe's Vanilla Non Dairy Frozen Dessert

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Dehydrated Watermelon

Whether you call this dehydrated watermelon, watermelon jerky, or watermelon candy it is all referring to a delicious way to enjoy the flavor of summer by concentrating the flavor. This is a one-ingredient recipe that manages to be sweet with nothing extra added for a healthy snack.

Last summer I missed out on trying Trader Joe's Watermelon Jerky. But since it was a one ingredient item, I figured this shouldn't be too terribly difficult to do at home. So if you tried it last summer and loved it then fear not, this is a solid recipe for a small seedless watermelon or for leftover watermelon slices that you might want to enjoy in a different way.

What does it taste like?

Dehydrated watermelon tastes a lot like a Fruit Roll-Up with super-concentrated watermelon flavoring that is all-natural. It has the texture of dried fruit or fruit leather.

What flavors pair well with watermelon?

There are a number of flavors that pair well with watermelon. Feel free to add them before placing them in the dehydrator. However, do so sparingly as all the flavors will taste more concentrated after being dehydrated.

The flavors that you can add here are chili powder, honey, lemon, and lime. But again, please use those flavoring sparingly.

Tips for Making This

Here are my best tips for making this:

Knife skills are the most important aspect of being successful. Be sure to keep each slice to about ¼."
If you don't have a dehydrator then you can use your oven on its lowest setting. Just be aware this will likely be warmer than a dehydrator, thus you'll need less time. Because an oven is warmer your end product will also be a bit browner in color because the sugars will caramelize more.
This should last in an airtight container for up to a week. I recommend using parchment paper to separate the layers as the sugars will cause the slices to stick together.
If you forget to remove these immediately and they stick to your tray, return them to the heat for a few minutes to loosen them from the surface.
If you are going to add an extra flavor, do so sparingly as the dehydrator will remove much of the water content from this making the flavor you add very potent.
Use seedless watermelon rather than a regular watermelon as the seeds make for an unpleasant experience.

Watch Me Make This (46 Seconds)

How to Make This

Step 1: Using a very sharp knife, cut the base off of a small seedless watermelon. Turn the watermelon around to cut the other side so you can see the top of the watermelon. The carefully run your knife along the outside of the watermelon to trim the rind. Rotate the watermelon until you have removed all of the rinds. Cut watermelon in half. Slice the watermelon again into ¼" thin slices.

Knife cuts for cutting a watermelon properly

Step 2: Place slices on dehydrator trays and dehydrate at 135 degrees F for 12 hours.

Step 3: Remove dried watermelon slices immediately and place them on parchment to cool completely. And enjoy!

Fully dehydrated watermelon slices on a wire rack

Other Dessert Recipes You Might Enjoy

I hope you enjoy this Dehydrated Watermelon recipe!

If you try this, would you mind hitting the "Rate" button? I'd love to know what you thought of it. If you modified the original recipe here, please let me know how it turned out. I love reading your comments!

If you've tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, I'd love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Print Recipe

4.88 from 8 votes

Dehydrated Watermelon

Whether you call this watermelon jerky, watermelon candy you are referring to dehydrated watermelon. With its concentrated flavor and fruit leather taste, it is a great and different way to enjoy watermelon.

Prep Time5

Cook Time12

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dehydrated watermelon, watermelon candy, watermelon jerky

Servings:

Calories: 135kcal

Author: Brenda

Equipment

Dehydrator
Knife
Cutting Board

Ingredients

1 seedless watermelon

Instructions

Slice watermelon starting from the ends to create a stable base. Repeat on the other side. Use your knife to remove the rind. Slice the watermelon in half. Then slice into ¼" slices.
Set your dehydrator to 135F. If you do not have a dehydrator, then use your ovens lowest setting (check after 8 hours since 12 hours will likely be too long)
Remove dehydrated watermelon slices immediately.
Enjoy these immediately or place them in a single layer separated by parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Video

Notes

Here are my tips for making this:

Knife skills are the most important aspect of being successful. Be sure to keep each slice to about ¼." Any larger and the slices will be to thick to dry completely. Any thinner and these will be watermelon chips when they are done.
This recipe should leave you with dried fruit that has a leathery consistency.
If you don't have a dehydrator then you can use your oven on its lowest setting. Just be aware this will likely be warmer than a dehydrator, thus you'll need less time. Because an oven is warmer your end product will also be a bit browner in color because the sugars will caramelize more.
This should last in an airtight container for up to a week. I recommend using parchment paper to separate the layers as the sugars will cause the slices to stick together.
If you forget to remove these immediately and they stick to your tray, return them to the heat for a few minutes to loosen them from the surface.
If you are going to add an extra flavor, do so sparingly as the dehydrator will remove much of the water content from this making the flavor you add very potent.

Nutrition