The pros: Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cartwheel Cookies are the newest cookies to hit Trader Joe’s shelves.
The cons: If you like truly crispy cookies, then you might want to pass on these as these are crisp around the edges.
The verdict: …
dessert
Trader Joe’s 8 Mini Raspberry Pastries
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: …
Trader Joe’s Bite Sized Crispy Cookies Filled with Belgian Chocolate
The pros: Trader Joe’s Bite Sized Crispy Cookies filled with Belgian Chocolate might remind you of another cookie, but improved.
The cons: The allergy list on this on is pretty long for cookies.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing
The pros: Trader Joe’s Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing is a very well done seasonal cake mix variety.
The cons: This is seasonal.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Mini Hold the Cone Vanilla Ice Cream Cones
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mini Hold the Cone Vanilla Ice Cream Cones are one of two year round varieties of mini ice cream cones.
The cons: Hard to eat just one. Chocolate and vanilla flavors are offered year round. Other varieties will appear, but are seasonal.
The verdict: …
O and H Danish Bakery Raspberry Kringle
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: …
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 Vanilla Ice Cream Bon Bons
The pros: Trader Joe’s Vanilla Ice Cream Bon Bons are a small and portion controlled dessert that might satisfy a sweet tooth.
The cons: Vanilla ice cream could be better.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Banana Bread Mix
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: …
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 Chocolate Pecan Pie Bar
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Pecan Pie Bar is a solid option in the baked good aisle. It’s a reasonable sized dessert if you are having company.
The cons: Like most Pecan Pies, this one does not shy away from the calories. However, one serving is quite a generous size. Would be better if this had some bourbon flavoring to it.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Blondie Bar Baking Mix
The pros: Trader Joe’s Blondie Bar Baking Mix is a super quick and easy baking mix that makes a reasonable amount of blondies.
The cons: While the box does not mention it, these pair very well with nuts too.
The verdict: …
O&H Danish Bakery Pecan Kringle
The pros: O&H Danish Bakery Pecan Kringle is a seasonal offering at Trader Joe’s. If you were a fan of previous flavors, then you’ll probably enjoy this one too. This is perfect for either breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This is far more affordable at Trader Joe’s than on the bakery’s website.
The cons: This is a seasonal offering. While mine did not come out of the bag in a photogenic way, it still tasted fine. In other words, mine was super flaky.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are addicting and a better balance of peanut butter and milk chocolate than the full sized ones they sell.
The cons: Addicting. It’s not hard to sit and eat the whole container.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Tarte Aux Fruits
The pros: Trader Joe’s Tarte Aux Fruits is a terrific blend of sweet and tart on a nice crust.
The cons: Be sure to keep this level if you are defrosting, otherwise you’ll have a gnarly mess waiting for you. Mine wasn’t quite as picture perfect as the box, but it tasted just fine.
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 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 Chocolate Chip Cookies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Cookies are a nice balance between soft and chewy without being too soft or crumbly.
The cons: If you are a crunchy cookie fan, then don’t reach for these. Also, the hint of molasses is kind of misleading. Yes, there is molasses but isn’t brown sugar just sugar with molasses?
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 Cinnamon Sugar Muffin and Baking Mix
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: …
Trader Joe’s Jingle Jangle
The pros: Trader Joe’s Jingle Jangle is a nice sized tin of chocolate candies that is perfect for snacking and gifting at a reasonable price.
The cons: This is a seasonal item.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Almond Danish Kringle
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: …
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: …
