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: …
seasonal flavor
Trader Joe’s BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken
The pros: Trader Joe’s BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken is an easy and delicious pre-seasoned item that comes out very moist.
The cons: This item is likely seasonal. But the package also mentions that it can be frozen. Keep in mind this is BBQ seasoned, but not BBQ flavored.
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: …
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 Milk Chocolate Truffles
The pros: Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Truffles have a nice shell and a soft interior that might remind you of something close to a Lindor truffle.
The cons: Wrapped this looks more like the Death Star than an Easter candy. No option for Dark Chocolate fans.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s 100% Mango Juice from Carabao Mangoes
The pros: Trader Joe’s 100% Mango Juice from Carabao Mangoes is sold in a four pack of cans. It’s good mango juice but…
The cons: Not terribly different from Trader Joe’s Mango Nectar. Since this can only be grown in the Philippines then this too is likely seasonal.
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 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 Truffle Salt with Black Truffles
The pros: Trader Joe’s Truffle Salt with Black Truffles is one of the least expensive truffle salts I’ve seen. The last jar of truffle salt I purchased cost about $10. This jar is a fraction of the price.
The cons: This is a seasonal item so if you see it and are curious about it, grab it. If you were a fan of the hard to find Black Truffle Butter, then this would make for a decent substitute.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Colorful Carrot Coins
The pros: Trader Joe’s Colorful Carrot Coins is one of many colorful carrot options available at Trader Joe’s. This item is heavily seasoned with thyme, so you’ll want something plain to go along with it.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. If you want yours to look more like the bag, then you’ll have to use your oven (and there were no directions for these to go into the oven).
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s 7 Salts of the Earth
The pros: Trader Joe’s 7 Salts of the Earth is a gift set that has returned again this year to Trader Joe’s.
The cons: This is a seasonal item and your local Trader Joe’s may have limited availability.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s This Cranberry Walks Into A Bar
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: …
Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries are new and perfect for the cherry lover in your life. This jar is a nice size. Would make for a good stocking stuffer.
The cons: This is a seasonal item and there is no telling if this will be back next year.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Turkey Pot Pie Bites
The pros: Trader Joe’s Turkey Pot Pie Bites has made an appearance just after everyone has finished their turkey dinners. This is a decent appetizer.
The cons: Not one of the best appetizers that Trader Joe’s sells. Also, this item is seasonal.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Roasted Rainbow Potatoes
The pros: Trader Joe’s Roasted Rainbow Potatoes make for a beautiful presentation for those who don’t have the time to do the prep work.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. Does not come in a resealable bag.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Mousse Cake Topped with Ganache
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Mousse Cake Topped with Ganache is a decent chocolate cake that comes straight from the freezer and is ready to go.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. Getting this unwrapped caused me to get more chocolate on my fingers than I would have liked. Mine wasn’t quite as pretty as the picture either.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta
The pros: Trader Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta is a unique seasonal offering that is sweet, savory, and citrusy which sets it apart from most other ricottas I’ve tried.
The cons: This is a seasonal item.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Tea Party
The pros: Trader Joe’s Tea Party is a somewhat different variety pack of teas than last year’s Tasting of Ten Teas.
The cons: This does not come with its own infuser, you’ll want to have one ready. This is cheaper than last year’s tea gift set. Trader Joe’s does not currently sell the flavors individually. Directions are a bit unclear as to how much tea to water you should be adding.
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: …
Trader Joe’s Peppermint Flavored Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
The pros: Trader Joe’s Peppermint Flavored Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones are new and seasonal. The ice cream is minty without feeling like mouthwash. The cone is also chocolate which makes these different from the regular Hold the Cone! variety normally found on shelves of Trader Joe’s.
The cons: This is a seasonal item.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars are tasty little cookies. These almost reminded me of girl scout cookies with a few notable exceptions.
The cons: If you like these, then stock up as they are a seasonal item.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Pastry Puffs
The pros: Trader Joe’s Vegetable Pastry Puffs are a good appetizer.
The cons: This is a very simple appetizer that can easily be replicated at home. Mine did not come out quite as cute as in the picture on the box. If you have food allergies, there are some unexpected allergens mentioned.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s It’s Sedimentary My Dear Cookie
The pros: Trader Joe’s It’s Sedimentary My Dear Cookie is a great gift idea that makes for a tasty batch of cookies.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. The brown sugar in mine had hardened to near sedimentary rock level making a my spoon have to do a bit of jack hammmering and scraping to get this out. This also requires a 2 hour rest in the refrigerator, so if you need cookies quick, then reach for something else.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Creme Brulee Tarte
The pros: Trader Joe’s Creme Brulee Tarte is a very well done tarte that gets almost everything right. This will also allow you to skip needing a blow torch. I strongly disagree with the serving size. These are 4 very large servings. That’s a good thing.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. This was difficult to move from parchment to a pie plate.
The verdict: …
