Welcome to the final edition of the Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer Matchups for 2019. This is the Holiday Flyer. And just in time for the holidays are all the gifts that will help you prepare for your winter body.
Not gonna lie, when I saw Trader Joe's had an Advent Calendar for Cats, I didn't hesitate. I tossed it into my cart faster than you can say "Meow." But just because something is festive and pet-themed doesn't always mean it's a win-at least, not according to my cat.
This was the packaging for the 2020 holiday season
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The Trader Joe's Advent Calendar for Cats is a holiday-themed countdown filled with 24 days of cat treats. The treats are made with salmon and seaweed, and each day offers a pre-portioned square for your feline friend. The packaging is adorable-think "Instagram-worthy stocking stuffer"-but the contents? That's where things got interesting.
My guest reviewer
While in limited supply, there is now something to make cats happy too. And once again, I am bringing on a special guest reviewer. He is 8 years old and always dressed to impress in his finest tuxedo.
His name is Gary. He is my cat (or at least I am his human servant). His name is a Sponge Bob reference because of the meowing sound he makes from time to time. He enjoys napping, pushing items off the edge of any surface, gets the zoomies around 6 PM, and he also turns into a howler cat around 8 PM before demanding bedtime around 9:30. Did I mention I am summoned every morning at 6 AM for his morning feedings?
He claims he is a starving kitty, yet the last time I brought him to the vet he clocked in at just over 14 lbs. He will also cry of desperate hunger anytime someone enters the kitchen. He will even lift one paw up to pretend like you somehow stepped on him while you are there. So it is only fair that he gets some snacks too.
You know you are a cat owner when you own matching cat towels.
For $7.99 this is priced the same as the Advent Calendar for Dogs. Depending on how picky your pet is, will dictate whether or not you should pick this item up.
Given how quickly this sold out at my local store, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it makes a comeback next year. However, at my local store, I only managed to see these advent calendars only just once. By the time I came back the following week all signs of the advent calendars being there were gone.
A video review
So once again, the only way to truly test this advent calendar to video his reaction to everything, so please enjoy it. All thoughts and opinions were Gary's own:
Overall
Would I buy this again? For Gary, this item was a total fail. However, this will be the first item I leave up to the audience to rate as my little boy wouldn't even try it.
It should also be noted there were several treats behind each door with the motherlode of fish-shaped treats behind door 25. So since dogs have masters and cats seem to have staff, this adorable seasonal item was lost on my baby. I hope yours is more grateful.
If this is a must-try but your store no longer has them, then you can still find this on Amazon through third-party sellers.
Did your fur baby try it? Let me know what they think in the comments section!
Here is the updated packaging for 2020, however my cat's reaction to this product was unchanged from last year.
FAQs
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
Is this safe for all cats?
It's marketed as a safe treat, but always monitor your cat the first few times. Some pet owners reported digestive issues.
Can you buy it online?
No, this is an in-store only seasonal item at Trader Joe's.
Are the treats soft or crunchy?
They're firm, possibly too firm and large for some cats.
Is there a dog version?
Yes! Trader Joe's also has an Advent Calendar for Dogs during the holiday season.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Advent Calendar for Cats looks like a fun holiday idea, but it really depends on your cat. Mine wasn't interested, and I've heard similar stories from other cat owners. If your cat is food-flexible or has a taste for fishy treats, it might work. Otherwise, it could be 24 days of disappointment in festive packaging.
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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.
Ever wish your drink tasted like toasted almonds but without actual almonds or baking anything? Meet the Toasted Almond Cocktail, a blend of equal parts amaretto and coffee liqueur, topped with cream. It's a grown-up dessert cocktail inspired by cocktail classics like the White Russian, but with major toasted almond vibes 🍸.
Whether you're winding down after dinner or just craving something sweet and indulgent, this cocktail is the ultimate lazy-nightcap that feels luxe. Plus, no espresso machine, no blender, no problem.
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Ingredients
2 oz amaretto liqueur (try Disaronno or any almond-flavored brand)
2 oz coffee liqueur (e.g. Kahlúa or your favorite brand)
2 oz cream (or milk, half-and-half, or a dairy-free substitute like oat or almond milk)
Optional: ice, toasted almonds, grated nutmeg, or cinnamon for garnish
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Only three ingredients: Sweet, creamy, and effortless.
Flexible and fun: Swap cream for non-dairy options or lighten up with milk.
Tips & Tricks
Skip the shaker? Stirring works, but you miss out on froth.
Want more richness? Use heavy cream; lighter? Milk is your friend.
Feeling bold? Add a splash of vodka for an extra kick.
Watch Me Make This (40 Seconds)
Variations of this Cocktail
Here are some simple variations on this cocktail to have it suit your tastes:
If you are looking to make this dairy-free, you can swap out the half and half for a nondairy option
Or if you want a stronger drink that is also nondairy, then see if you can find an almond milk liqueur to take the place of the dairy in this recipe
To make this creamier, use light or heavy cream
To make this a dessert, use ice cream and pour this over the ice cream like an affogato.
You could use other nut-flavored liqueurs like Frangelico to make this as well.
Creative Serving Suggestions
Serve in a rocks glass with a cinnamon stick for vintage vibes.
Make a pitcher for dessert parties-just multiply the recipe (shake in batches).
Blend with vanilla ice cream for a boozy coffee milkshake. Yum.
How to Make a Toasted Almond Drink
Step 1: Measure out the Amaretto and Kahlua. Pour into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2: Shake to combine and chill.
Step 2: Measure out the half and half, pour into the cocktail shaker. (Optional) Swirl to combine or leave as a very cool looking ombre cocktail.
Step 3: Pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with slivers of almonds or enjoy plain.
FAQs about the Toasted Almond Drink
Can I use more or less cream?
Totally, use half-and-half or milk if you want a less rich version.
Is this drink sweet?
Yes, it's meant to taste like a boozy dessert: sweet, creamy, and smooth.
Can I make a mocktail version?
Absolutely! Swap amaretto with almond extract (tiny drop!), coffee liqueur with cold brew or coffee syrup, and cream with regular milk or plant-based milk.
Pink Squirrel- Another low ABV drink that's nutty and chocolatey
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 comments!
If you've tried this Toasted Almond Drink 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.
If you are looking for a dessert cocktail that is packed with flavor, then look no further than this Toasted Almond Cocktail drink recipe which features the smooth taste of Amaretto and Kahlua to deepen the flavor.
Trader Joe's used to have winter seasonal Macarons. They were in the freezer case and they were delicious. Now, the seasonal macarons I look forward to are now Trader Joe's Macaron Soap.
Review
If you remember far enough back Trader Joe's even sold gigantic macarons in salted butterscotch and molten chocolate. They were sold two in a package. Each one of these soaps is about the same size as those giant macarons. These are way less edible.
But they do smell really nice. The lavender honey and raspberry smell as expected. The mint is actually more spearmint than peppermint so be warned if you aren't into spearmint.
In either case, they are nice soaps.
Nice as gifts and nice to receive as gifts. Best of all they are inexpensive compared to retailers like Bath and Body Works or Lush. These three soaps are priced at $4.99.
But beyond the fragrance which wasn't overpowering or very strong was how they made you feel afterward. After a nice long hot shower, they left my skin pretty much how it was before going into the shower. I wasn't left dry and I wouldn't have minded some extra lotion afterward, but that seems par for the cooler weather.
Besides, I can't remember a bar soap that really left my skin feeling well hydrated. But I guess that is why they sell lotion.
Overall
If you are looking for a nicely packaged and inexpensive gift item, this is a pretty solid option to pick up. And if you feel a bit lost on other gift ideas, then check out my Trader Joe's Gift Ideas for suggestions under $20.
And if you can't find this and you know it would be a perfect gift for someone, then there are some available through third-party sellers on Amazon.
Would I buy this again? Trader Joe's Macaron Soap is something to buy once a season.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
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.
Don't adjust your monitors. I nearly walked past this item on the new items display. Every now and again they put items that are currently on shelves on that display. I noticed the bag was a bit faded out and took a closer look, only to realize this is different, this is Trader Joe's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites with Black Truffle.
Taste
Yes, it is truffle season at Trader Joe's when you can buy Trader Joe's Truffle Butter, Truffle Alfredo, and a variety of other truffle-inspired products. But if I hadn't read the package carefully, then I would have been in for quite a surprise.
But truth be told, black truffle does pair well with certain foods. Starches and dairy products come to mind. So I decided to give this little bag a try as the original Oven-Baked Cheese Bites are a staple in my household.
But since I'm the truffle lover and my husband does not like the taste of truffle one bit (he made a funny face eating one thinking they were the ones I always buy), I thought these were super truffly. The look all but identical to the original Oven-Baked Cheese Bites, except they had small black flecks to them.
But there was no hiding the super assertive black truffle. But these also seem a touch saltier than the originals as well.
For $2.99 these are priced the same as the original flavor (but with the added and expensive extra ingredient). They also come in a resealable bag to at least give you some reason to put the bag down. But truth be told, with all the salty taste and truffle goodness I found myself eating this bag much slower than I would the bag of the original flavor.
So if you a truffling out this season, add this to your list. And if truffle makes you want to type in a green emoji, then, by all means, skip this, just look carefully at the bags you pick up in the store because you might be in for quite the surprise.
Overall
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy another bag or two of Trader Joe's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites with Black Truffle.
And if you go through these little bags as quickly as we do in our household, then check out my recipe for Copycat Oven-Baked Cheese Bites. They really are quite easy to make at home.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Making these at home
Oven-baked cheese bites are easy to make at home. You can see my recipe and flavor accordingly.
Product Photos
The bag of Trader Joe's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites with Black Truffle:
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.
