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Trader Joe's Brookie Review: Half Brownie, Half Cookie, All Trouble

Trader Joe's Brookie is a dessert hybrid that marries a rich, fudgy brownie base with a classic chocolate chip cookie top. Packaged in an 11-oz container and priced at $4.99, each box contains eight pre-cut squares, making it easy to indulge in this sweet combination without the hassle of baking from scratch.

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Review

Let's start with the obvious: the Trader Joe's Brookie is what happens when a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie decide to get married, skip the honeymoon, and move straight into your snack drawer.

You open the package and you're greeted with pre-cut squares-already portioned, but let's be real, that's more of a suggestion than a rule. Each square has a rich, dark brownie base that looks dense but is surprisingly soft. On top? A golden, chewy cookie layer studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips. It's like dessert inception-sweet layered on sweet.

Texture-wise, it's a cozy kind of chaos. The brownie portion is soft and slightly fudgy-not quite gooey but not cakey either. Somewhere in the sweet spot between boxed mix and "I tried." The cookie on top? Buttery, chewy, and has just the right amount of give when you bite into it. The two layers don't blend together into one mushy mess-each maintains its personality while still playing nice. We love character development in a dessert.

Flavor-wise, it's rich. Like, "I need a glass of milk immediately," rich. The chocolate is present and proud, and while it doesn't scream "artisan bakery," it absolutely whispers, "I will satisfy that late-night craving." It's sweet, but you knew that going in. No one buys something called a "Brookie" expecting restraint.

Would it blow the socks off a dessert snob? Probably not. But will it stop you mid-bite, raise your eyebrows, and make you say, "Okay, that's dangerously good"? Yep.

And when you warm it up for 10-15 seconds in the microwave? Oh boy. That's when this treat goes from "solid" to "get your own, I'm not sharing." The chocolate melts a little, the cookie softens up, and suddenly you're in Brookie bliss. Add a scoop of ice cream, and now you've got a full-blown dessert situation that required no baking, no dishes, and zero adulting.

The biggest problem? It's way too easy to eat the entire thing. The Brookie doesn't judge you, and you probably won't stop at one square.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Brookie on a marble countertop

How to Serve

A la Mode: Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Straight from the Package: Enjoy at room temperature for a quick treat.
Warm It Up: Microwave for 10-15 seconds to enhance the gooeyness.

Creative Uses

Dessert Parfait: Layer Brookie pieces with whipped cream and berries.
Brookie Sundae: Top with ice cream, caramel sauce, and nuts.
Crumbled Topping: Sprinkle over yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet crunch

Nutritional information and calorie count in Trader Joe's Brookie

FAQs about Trader Joe's Brookie

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

Is the Brookie a seasonal item?

No, it's typically available year-round at Trader Joe's.

Can I freeze the Brookie?

Yes, it freezes well. Just thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave before serving

Does it contain nuts?

The standard Brookie does not contain nuts, but always check the packaging for allergen information.

Is it gluten-free?

No, the Brookie contains wheat flour and is not gluten-free.

One piece of Trader Joe's Brookie — This picture is very zoomed in to show detail

A closer look at this half brownie half cookie (as compared to my hand):

Trader Joe's Brookie bitten into with a white plate and the original box in the background — This is (most) of one serving.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Brookie offers a delightful combination of brownie and cookie in one convenient package. While it may not replace a homemade dessert, it's a satisfying option for those seeking a quick and tasty treat. Whether enjoyed on its own or dressed up with ice cream and toppings, the Brookie is a sweet indulgence worth trying.

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Trader Joe's Essential Oil Collection

Happy Holidays and now happy (almost) New Year. I hope this time of year brings you rest, relaxation, and a quiet wind down to the rest of the year. I apologize for the brief hiatus between this post and the previous one. This time of year does require some R&R time. The holidays can be exhausting, enjoyable, and demanding.

But fortunately, a product like this is meant for that rest and relaxation time. And as of 2020, this has been moved from a seasonal item to one that can be found on shelves all year round.

Trader Joe's Essential Oil Collection review Pin for Pinterest

Testing and review

Over the last week, I've made a few trips to Trader Joe's. Perhaps for some last-minute shopping. Well, Trader Joe's doesn't seem to be the place to grab things at the last minute.

My local stores were almost totally cleared of holiday items in this final push to the holidays.

I was actually on a run to get more of Trader Joe's Bath Fizzers when I stumbled upon this item.

For $11.99, this is pretty reasonably priced compared to some brands of essential oil. There is just shy of one ounce of essential oil in these bottles.

And like all things Holiday 2018, it seems that this is packaged as a trio.

Now, I know the essential oil crowd is super passionate about this topic. I'm only going to dive into how they smell. Each one is pretty darn potent. But that could be because the tops of these are a bit more generous with the contents than others.

Some bottles of this size take a good shake to get a dropout. Nope, not here.

These, if you tip them to the side for a brief moment you'll get several drops.

I've been using them with these:

One of Trader Joe's 4 Wool Dryer Balls on a pink background

Well, the reviews are positive in my household regardless of whether we are using it in the laundry (and yes, the dryer balls are from New Zealand too), in the diffuser, or with a drop or two in a bath. All three aromas were sufficiently strong by using a few drops.

These are NOT meant to be consumed but are enjoyable as a bit of aromatherapy. And if you were eagle-eyed enough, the diffuser did come in a variety of colors to perhaps match your home decor (or where ever these are going to end up).

Overall

Would I buy this again? I wish I could buy Trader Joe's Essential Oil Collection again. This was one of those short-run products that I saw once and then never again. Which is a kind of a bummer because I really feel a product like this does belong in the lineup.

If you celebrate Christmas or any other holiday this time of year, from my family to yours I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year!

And if you've missed it on shelves, you can find this through third-party sellers on Amazon also.

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

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Essential Oil Collection:

Trader Joe's Essential Oil Collection unopened box on a marble background

Ingredients

Using this

Trader Joe's Essential Oil Collection how to enjoy each aroma

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

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Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast

Behold, the most expensive thing I can get my hands on at Trader Joe's. Clocking in at just shy of $50 for this one package is nearly four pounds of beefy goodness. However, beefy goodness is in the eyes of the beholder. How much you like this will be determined by how well you prepare this. So tonight's review is a little bit of cooking with a bit of commentary on this slab of meat.

Taste

In the world of beef, the USDA has determined that there are three grades of meat: prime, choice, and select. Prime has the most marbling of them all. And for those of you who don't like dry cuts of meat, you know how good a well-marbled steak with worth. It's the fat that brings the flavor of the beef (but you have your own role to play as well).

Just down from prime, is this slab right here: choice. There is a moderate amount of marbling, but it is tender and flavorful. So off the bat, this is well priced at $11.99 a pound. Go to Costco or another retailer and look for prime meat. You could easily be looking at double for the same size roast.

But the true magic beyond the quality of the meat, is in how the person chooses to cook it.

I made this last year. And I was more than happy to get it again this year. This is a roast that likes to take its time. And while I haven't followed the recipe on the package exactly, there is a certain way to get that picture-perfect slices of the deeply roasted exterior with the familiar interior.

I ventured from the directions knowing full well that there would eventually be gravy served with this and I wanted some solid pan drippings.

So I allowed this roast to come up to room temperature, which took about 2 hours.

So I took 1 stick of butter, softened to room temperature, 1 tablespoon of granulated garlic, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, ½ tablespoon of granulated onions and mixed that into the soft butter. Essentially, I made a compound butter.

I then spread that over the top of this roast, yup where the fat cap is. You'll see it if you look for it. I then used olive oil on the sides. I was afraid of both the olive oil burning. I also opted for granulated spices to ensure that those wouldn't burn either.

Once the roast was lathered up, into the oven it went for 20 minutes (again, I'm following what I saw). It melted the butter and developed a nice crust on the outside. And yes, leave the netting on. As an added bonus the butter stays on the meat better. Just sayin'.

After 20 minutes, I dropped the oven temperature down to 250F. Yup, I went for low and slow. Now, I'm a bit of an oddball and way too much into technology. I have a digital thermometer that is blue tooth connected. Trust me, if you burn a single roast, the thermometer pays for itself. I know I'm bad about walking away from something in the oven and having a moment of "What's that smell?"

So, not surprisingly once that thermometer came into my household, nothing has been overcooked since. My phone alerts me (yes, there is the Weber iGrill app which is connected via Bluetooth to the thermometer) when it is getting close to temperature.

Speaking of temperature, rare is 120-125F, medium rare is 130-135F, medium is 140-145F, and medium well is 150-155F. The roast will go up about 5 degrees or so even after you have pulled it from the oven.

We like ours medium rare. If you noticed where I put the thermometer, I put it on the side. That's the best place to get a good read on how the center of the roast is doing.

Let it rest no less than 10 minutes. You'll be rewarded with a delicious prime rib roast that will look as pretty as any restaurant. Perfect for the holidays. How many did this serve? From this roast, I got 8 generous servings.

Overall

The only complaints that some might make are there are some fatty deposits within the meat. Nothing that can't be cut away. But much of the fat melts away into a super tender piece of meat.

Would I buy this again? Yes. No doubt.

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

Product photos

The package of Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast:

An unopened package of Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast

Calories

Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast nutritional facts and ingredient as well as safe handling information

Directions

After being cooked you get a roast (the top view):

A top side view of a fully cooked Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast

And from the side:

A fully cooked Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast view from the side with the probe thermometer still in it — All those juices weren't from the meat, it was from the butter. Which then became the basis for a roux which was then turned into a gravy. Also, see where the thermometer is, that is probably the best place to read the temperature in the center of the roast.

Sliced on a plate before all the sides and gravy:

A fully cooked medium rare slice of Trader Joe's Boneless Prime Rib Roast

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 Body Butter Trio

I kind of hope this is one of those blog posts that my Mom isn't reading. Because this is one of those things that I bought for the blog and then proceeded to buy just a few more to give as gifts. I haven't tried many of Trader Joe's Body Butters as I have enough lotion products to last me into the next decade of life.

Testing and review

But my mom tried the pumpkin body butter and really loved it. At the Trader Joe's she goes to they had this out as a sample. She then went through the store looking for it, only to find out that the only pumpkin body butter they had were the samples they were giving out.

True story.

Needless to say, I got a phone call with the request. She told me "You should pick up one for yourself."

I bought one for her knowing pumpkin season was winding down. She cracked it open and had me try it. It was really nice. It smelled nice and made my skin feel nice. Even the dog agreed (and proceeded to remove it lovingly from my skin).

So as soon as the pumpkin season ended, it seemed we shifted instantly into Thanksgiving for a brief window, then the holiday stuff started showing up (and continues to show up).

If any aisle seems to have enjoyed a renaissance during this holiday season at Trader Joe's it's the health and beauty aisle.

And this is no exception. Here you have a pretty classic mix of body butter in three different fragrance varieties. The aroma on all three of these is pretty subtle. It's nothing like the fragrance found in Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil.

I cracked these three open with my husband. He even admitted that he wouldn't mind using 2 out of the three of them. He liked the almond honey and the lemon verbena. But he did say that the frosted berry was a bit sweet for his liking.

Well, frosted berry is what I was immediately attracted to. And I've been using it ever since. It moisturizes well and comes in a presentable little package. Perfect for gift-giving. Even to say a mom. Even mine.

Overall

For $7.99 this is well priced, well packaged, and comes in really cute and compact-sized tins.

Otherwise, if you want this and can't find it at your local Trader Joe's it is available through third-party sellers on Amazon.

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

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Body Butter Trio:

An unopened package of Trader Joe's Body Butter Trio

Ingredients

And the varieties included:

The varieties found in Trader Joe's Body Butter Trio

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.

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Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy

So here is a returning classic that hits shelves before Thanksgiving, but in my store these hang around until the start of the new year. So while the turkeys might be gone, these vegan turkey-less roasts are there for the vegan or people who prefer to enjoy less meat at the dinner table.

Pinterest image for Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast

Taste and review

I've seen this product in past years and just never thought to pick it up. I'm not a huge fan of turkey, but I do like fake chicken. So I picked it up before Thanksgiving and enjoyed it the day after. I promptly went back to pick up four more boxes. True story.

And yes, this product can be frozen and does freeze well. And looks a whole lot like Gardein's Holiday Roast.

While I haven't tried the Gardein product, they are clearly distinct from one another. Specifically, this product is vegan while Gardein's is vegetarian. This isn't your traditional turkey taste. Or texture.

What you have here is a breaded product that surrounds a loaf of turkey-less turkey. Within that, you have a stuffing that doesn't quite match up to stovetop stuffing, but it wasn't bad either. There is even a packet of vegan gravy.

If you can adjust your expectations, then what you have here is pretty solid. If you are familiar with a fake chicken patty, then you pretty much have an idea of what this would taste like, on clearly a larger scale.

The product comes in a box that is as sturdy as it gets. What you are doing on your end is nothing more than reheating it.

So after about 45 minutes, I got a turkey-less loaf with the added crunch of breadcrumbs. It was actually really good. Also, the serving sizes were on point. You can get 6 servings from this.

The gravy is far more soy in flavor than a regular gravy, but it was a solid substitute. It was flavorful, but just not as thick as a regular gravy.

Overall

It doesn't match the taste or texture of the turkey. But I didn't find that it mattered one bit. What you have here is a solid, presentable dinner option that would make a vegan happy as well as those who are partaking in the same "roast."

I personally really enjoyed this. I did buy a few more. They do freeze well. For $12.99 this is one of those items that are only around for the holiday season. But if you've ever wondered about it, it's totally worth a try.

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy:

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy

Calories

Ingredients

Directions

Heating instructions for Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy

Out of the package you get:

What comes in the box of Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy with the roast and the gravy

After being heated and served with side of Trader Joe's Orange Cranberry Relish you get:

Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy on a white plate with cranberry and the box in back

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

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

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.