Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
The pros: Trader Joe’s 8 Mini Raspberry Pastries are a new addition to the frozen aisle. These are easy to make and the end product is good.
The cons: This bag should be resealable as 8 pastries might be more than you want to bake at one time. I found the cook time to be longer than what was mentioned on the box.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Potato Pancakes are a really good breakfast/dinner option. This is a regular year round item.
The cons: If you don’t care for the taste of onion, then reach for Trader Joe’s Hashbrowns instead.
The verdict: …
The pros: O and H Danish Bakery Raspberry Kringle is the newest flavor to hit the shelves at Trader Joe’s, but represents a substantial savings over ordering it online.
The cons: The kringle flavors at Trader Joe’s are only seasonal, but fortunately, all the flavors I’ve tried so far have frozen very well.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Banana Bread Mix is a quick and easy banana bread that won’t require you to possess any bananas to make.
The cons: Banana bread is relatively easy to make and you are paying for convenience here.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake and All Purpose Baking Mix works well for pancakes and waffles and is priced right.
The cons: Nothing really stands out.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cream Cheese Brioche Pastries are new, frozen, and delicious if you appreciate a treat on the sweeter side. These are a solid choice for breakfast or dessert.
The cons: Why do they ever assume you are going to be sharing these? Just be honest with the calories and say how many are in each. For some reason Trader Joe’s decided that each pastry is two servings.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Brioche Toasts are a two to three bite size slice of brioche that are crisp and delicious. At under $2 it’s a great deal. It also might have some interesting other applications beyond just appetizers.
The cons: If you are using this in place of crackers, then consider making sure you have napkins or plates because there will be crumbs from this toast.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Sugar Muffin and Baking Mix is a delicious and new to shelves mix that makes good muffins.
The cons: The directions are not 100% accurate and I’ll correct them below.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Almond Danish Kringle is not actually a Trader Joe’s branded product, but a well done one. It freezes well and this flavor was delicious. It can be ordered online through the company, however buying it at Trader Joe’s is the most cost effective.
The cons: The flavors of the Kringles can be seasonal. Might be too sweet for some.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s This Cranberry Walks Into A Bar is a seasonal flavor of the successful line of “This (Fruit) Walks Into A Bar…” line.
The cons: This is a seasonal flavor. This is also the only “This [fruit] walks into a bar” that is not labeled OU Kosher.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Uncured Extra Thick Cut Maple and Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon is new to store shelves and did not appear to be marked as “HOL” on my receipt which might indicate this might be sticking around.
The cons: It’s bacon and sugar. Just don’t look at the nutritional info. Just don’t do it. This is also just a spin on candied bacon.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pain Au Lait is a nice light French bread that while perfect for breakfast, I can totally justify eating this during other meals as well.
The cons: Nothing jumped to my mind.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix is a good quality mix for those who can’t have gluten. Other than a mild textural difference, I probably would not have guessed that these are gluten free.
The cons: There is a price premium as compared to the non gluten free variety. No directions available for waffles.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix is seasonal and will cure your hankering for pumpkin first thing in the morning.
The cons: If you prefer your pancakes plain, then this is not for you. The Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake mix would be better for those who want it plain.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix makes dense and slightly crumbly bread with a nice spice combination. No need to open a can of pumpkin (or have leftovers from that can of pumpkin)
The cons: Not as good as homemade, but not bad.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Scone Mix makes quick, easy, tender, and flavorful scones that are perfect for the Fall.
The cons: It’s seasonal, so if you discover you really like this then you really should stock up because you don’t know when or if you’ll ever see this one again.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread is really darn good. It was obvious that when they created the product the said, “Create something delicious. Nutrition be damned!” Ok, that’s probably not what happened, but that is the story that plays in my head when eating this.
The cons: First ingredient is sugar, so don’t hype yourself into believing this is healthy for you. The second ingredient is fat, so you know this is going to taste good. It’s also 210 calories per 2 tablespoon serving in case you are counting.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Frosted Strawberry Toaster Pastries are super fresh tasting and do taste like real fruit.
The cons: Some people prefer their toaster pastries without frosting (which is not available at Trader Joe’s) and some people will prefer the thick coating of a Pop Tart.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Filled Crepes are new, frozen, and from the oven they are pretty amazing.
The cons: I should have bought more than one box. I have a feeling that once people realize that this is in the aisle that this will become the next hard to find product.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Frosted Cherry Pomegranate Toaster Pastries is organic, fresh, and fruity.
The cons: There was a serious lack of generosity with the frosting. I still wished they were individually wrapped.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Frosted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Toaster Pastries are Trader Joe’s answer to Pop Tarts.
The cons: They don’t quite live up to the originals they are trying to replicate.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Stone Ground White Grits are creamy and well done if you follow the directions listed on the bag. The bag is resealable
The cons: These are the real deal, so they can’t be rushed. There are currently no quick grits or frozen grits available at Trader Joe’s.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Waffles are pretty close to regular waffles.
The cons: These also seem very sweet and don’t have much fiber in them.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Multi Grain Waffles are nutty, tasty for freezer waffles and easy to prepare.
The cons: Still not as good as homemade, a bit low on fiber for being “multigrain.”
The verdict: …
