The pros: Trader Joe’s Bite Size Everything Crackers are a light and flavorful cracker combination.
The cons: If you are like me and think that caraway seeds are culinary kryptonite, they are present here.
The verdict: …
Chips and Snacks
Trader Joe’s Chipotle Black Bean Dip
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chipotle Black Bean Dip is a smokey and thick dip.
The cons: The smoke flavor is very strong with this one.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies are delicious cookies that share the usual format of so many filled cookies, but have a flavor that stands out.
The cons: Way too easy to eat the whole box.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Hummus
The pros: Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Hummus is a unique flavor pairing which on a surface level seems like it should be a good pairing. This is priced well at $1.99.
The cons: The pairing here ended up tasting odd.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Key Lime Tea Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Key Lime Tea Cookies are a seasonal flavor variety that isn’t shy on the key lime flavor.
The cons: They are seasonal. So if you like them, you might want to pick up a few boxes to get you through the season.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Frosted Sugar Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Frosted Sugar Cookies are a sweet and decadent bit of sweetness.
The cons: One cookie is 160 calories. There are lots of other desserts that have far fewer calories.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip
The pros: Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip is a hidden treasure in the refrigerated aisle.
The cons: The calorie count is equivalent to eating mayo.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips
The pros: Trader Joe’s Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips are sturdy and flavorful chips that are well priced.
The cons: While they may say restaurant style, they will still never match the just out of the deep fryer variety that is served in most restaurants.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Cocoa Filled Pinwheel Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cocoa Filled Pinwheel Cookies are a beautiful and whimsical cookie with a delicious filling.
The cons: The cookie isn’t as flavorful as it could be. In fact, it’s a bit bland.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Hummus with Freshly Ground Horseradish
The pros: Trader Joe’s Hummus with Freshly Ground Horseradish is a recent addition to the dips of the refrigerated aisle.
The cons: Does not bring the heat that you might expect.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Sandwich Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Sandwich Cookies have cookie butter in them.
The cons: These should be redone and sold as “double stuff.”
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Gummy Bears
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gummy Bears are the traditional gummy bear flavor and texture.
The cons: If you’ve gotten spoiled by the texture of Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers or other gummies, then you might not love these.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Crunchy Cinnamon Squares Milk Chocolate Bar
The pros: Trader Joe’s Crunchy Cinnamon Squares Milk Chocolate Bar is new to shelves, adds to a line a fun candy bars that are well sized and under $2 each, and has good texture.
The cons: This is a very sweet bar which in the end just did not make me want to go back for more.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
The pros: Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter has a golden cap and a golden seal on the inside to remind you that you have won the golden culinary ticket by picking this up.
The cons: Easy to consume the entire jar.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers
The pros: Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers are available all year round. There have been other gummies available like Scandinavian Tidings and Gummy Xs & Os. These are also a different set of flavors than the seasonal variety.
The cons: These are pretty addicting.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Queso Cheese Dip
The pros: Trader Joe’s Queso Cheese Dip is a low-calorie dip that will partially satisfy your spicy cheese dip cravings.
The cons: While low in calories, this makes sacrifices in other areas like thickness. This is a thin dip that is in no danger of breaking any chip that is placed into it.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Sunflower Seed Drops
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Sunflower Seed Drops reminded me of peanut M&M’s except these are much smaller, more filling, and well, no peanuts in them but…
The cons: While they taste like peanut M&Ms, the allergy warning does mention some possible cross contamination. Don’t leave these in direct sunlight as the natural food coloring will fade extremely quickly.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter
The pros: Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter is one of two iconic cookie butter varieties currently on shelves.
The cons: I’m not sure how they think there are 27 servings in this jar. Clearly, they are misinformed or never tasted it.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie
The pros: Trader Joe’s Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie is 2000 calories in all, but makes for a pretty good dessert.
The cons: C might be for cookie, but this is not good for your diet. Then again if you picked this up, I’m sure diet might not be on your mind.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Gummy Xs and Os
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gummy Xs and Os are a fun spin on Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers or the seasonal Scandinavian Tidings.
The cons: These are seasonal.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Churro Bites
The pros: Trader Joe’s Churro Bites are perfect for those who like things sweet, but not too sweet. These are baked so they will save on calories.
The cons: These won’t win any beauty pageants.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mini Heart Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mini Heart Cookies are another seasonal continuation of the super successful Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Stars. Five cookies to a serving for only 130 calories.
The cons: If you are looking for plain shortbread because that’s what the box makes it sound like, then you might be a touch disappointed. This is likely a seasonal product.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Cheesy Trees
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cheesy Trees are new, delicious, and full of cheese flavor.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. If you see them, then grab one (or a bunch) because they are already hard to find. A lot of my trees were broken.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit
The pros: Trader Joe’s Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit make some fantastically ugly cookies. Mine are far uglier than the box (a fact I am proud of). This is fun for both kids and adults. I’m happy to see this return this season.
The cons: This is a returning seasonal find and when they are gone, they are gone for the season. Also, there was no mention of how long these would take to fully dry. There are no notes about how to contain the mess. My suggestion is to put a cookie sheet under anyone working on these to keep the sprinkles contained.
The verdict: …
