Trader Joe‘s boasts a large and versatile dessert selection to satisfy a wide variety of tastebuds – and one which doesn’t break the bank, either! There really is something in there for everyone, from the chocolate lover to the cookie-fiend and everyone else in-between. And we haven’t even gotten to the highly-anticipated, mouthwatering seasonal selections yet (no, pumpkin isn’t the only flavor!) which never seem to stay on the shelves for long. We’re not surprised!
We’ve taken on the nearly impossible task of ranking some of the best Trader Joe’s dessert items, from fan-favorites to ultimate classics to seasonal wonders. We’ve asked everyone in the SheFinds office and done a ton of research online too, to offer the best roundup possible! Is your favorite in this list?
Be on the lookout for some of these items on your next Trader Joe’s trip – which ones will you be adding to your basket next time you go? And do you agree with the item we’ve placed in the top spot?
17. Teeny Tiny Apple Pies
We're starting off strong with these Teeny Tiny Apple Pies. According to Trader Joe's, each pie is made with "sweet-tart, exceptionally juicy Northern Spy apples" and "nestled in a flaky, buttery crust, the cinnamon-spiced, diced apple filling is topped with a brown sugar crumble and baked to a golden brown." Yum!
The Instagram account @traderjolene posted a recent tribute to the autumnal pastry, with several commenters dubbing it to be the right amount of "sweet." And we wholeheartedly agree, which is why it has a deserving place on this list.
16. Everything But The Kitchen Sink Cookie Mix
This Everything But The Kitchen Sink Cookie Mix does exactly what it says on the tin, and is exactly what you need to keep stocked in your pantry at all times!
In this all-encompassing, genius mix, you'll find oats, walnuts, coconut flakes, caramel bits, and mini pretzels. What's not to love? Add butter, an egg, and love—and go ahead and call 'em homemade. You did put them in the oven, after all.
15. All-Butter Apple Shortbread Cookies
Not all seasonal desserts are pumpkin flavored, which may be good news if apple is more your speed than pumpkin.
These All-Butter Apple Shortbread Cookies are crafted to perfection the U.K., where they're baked to a golden-brown crisp. The Trader Joe's website describes them as rich, crumbly, and sweet. What more could you ask for in a cookie?
14. Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake
If you love your cheesecake as fluffy as possible, these Japanese Soufflé Cheesecakes are exactly what you need. For $3.29, you can pick up a pack of two cheesecakes, which are made with sweetened condensed milk and decadent cream cheese. They're ultra-airy and unbelievably delicious.
According to a Daily Waffle review: "What makes Japanese soufflé cheesecake so good is its airy/fluffy soufflé-like texture and subtle sweetness (compared to traditional cheesecake.) In a way, it's like the perfect cross of angel food cake and cheesecake."
13. Apple Cinnamon Buns
We're obsessed with these Danish-style pastries! The Apple Cinnamon Buns are a sweet dough filled with a cinnamon-apple compote and are twisted into a knot, and finally sprinkled with a light, streusel-like crumb.
Fans in the comment section of a @trader_joes_treasure_hunt post about the item showered it with praise, with one writing that they were "pretty good!" One fan advised others to "eat them warm!!!!" Noted!
12. Pumpkin Loaf
Another seasonal Trader Joe's item fans (and SheFinds staff!) never seem to get enough of is the Pumpkin Loaf. It contains wheat flour, pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cloves, and is enhanced with a touch of vanilla and topped with a delightful layer of crunchy sugar.
One happy customer wrote on an Instagram post from @traderjolene: "Pumpkin everything!" Someone else noted: "A pumpkin loaf might be nice to have on hand with some pumpkin ice cream!" Someone else sadly said, "My store was sold out of the pumpkin loaf today," so be sure to grab it before it's gone!
11. Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies
Trader Joe's fans are addicted to the Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies, and it's not hard to see why! Each mini pie measures around three inches in diameter, and boasts a luscious brown sugar and pecan filling enveloped in a tender, buttery crust and topped with a Junior Mammoth pecan half.
Many customers are finding them ideal for satisfying pie cravings without committing to a full-sized dessert. One customer took to the @trader_joes_treasure_hunt account and described them to be "what thanksgiving dreams are made of." Another happy customer called them "the cutest," and we're inclined to agree!
10. Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins
These seasonal little desserts aren't around forever, so be sure to grab them before they disappear for another year! These delightful treats are shaped like pumpkins and feature a rich chocolate cake paired with a velvety mousse.
Despite their festive appearance, they don't contain any actual pumpkin, believe it or not, achieving an ideal balance between the mousse and the chocolate cake. They continue to garner rave reviews from fans on social media, with one fan writing on a recent post from Instagram account @traderjoeslist: "These are the BEST treat!" The same fan also went on to call them "gems of perfection." Someone else commented: "I get these every year!"
9. Vegan Banana Bread With Walnuts
Trader Joe's Vegan Banana Bread has been a favorite among customers for quite a while, and with its delightful sweetness, tender crumb, and the impressive feat of being made without any dairy or eggs, it's not hard to see why!
"Freaking delicious!" exclaimed one fan on an official Trader Joe's Instagram post, as another added: "My new staple item I love it." Someone else chimed in: "Easily the best banana loaf I've had."
8. Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps
These crunchy and sweet snacks can be perfect for your guests over the holidays. TJ's notes that these "bite-size, loaf-shaped crackers" are made with "actual pumpkin," along with "tart cranberries and just the right amount of seasonings, including thyme, nutmeg, and turmeric." And they're just as delicious as they sound!
"Love these crackers!" exclaimed one fan on the @traderjoesobsessed IG account, as another replied: "I just discovered these crisps this year. My dad and I can't get enough!" Another fan called them "delish" followed by three heart eyes emojis.
7. Mini Chocolate Chip Croissant Swirls
Do you like cinnamon buns? Do you like chocolate croissants? Do you wish they could be combined into one? If you answered 'yes' to everything then you're in luck thanks to the Trader Joe's Mini Chocolate Chip Croissant Swirls which are expertly made in France.
Bake these in the oven for 30 minutes and you're golden, ready to dive into "golden brown, crisp & flaky pastries, studded with a constellation of melty, chocolate chips."
6. Apple Cider Donuts
These mouthwatering Apple Cider Donuts are also a firm favorite, especially if you're looking for something that isn't pumpkin flavored.
These bad boys are the real deal. They're made at a family-owned bakery in Western Massachusetts, so it's understandable why they're so fluffy, delicious, and the perfect fall treat. We'll definitely be grabbing a box on our next TJ's trip.
5. Coffee Mochi
The freezer section at Trader Joe's always has different flavors of Mochi stocked—Vanilla, Strawberry, Green Tea, etc.—and Coffee is one of the latest and greatest ones! Picture that delectable chewy exterior and creamy ice cream center, but this time with that cup-of-joe taste; plus, a hint of cocoa for sweetness.
"So good I could eat the whole box," raved one fan on Instagram, as a second said: "I love these!" "My favorite," added a third, followed by three heart eyes emojis.
4. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Trader Joe's offers some of the most irresistible pumpkin-flavored muffins, and these gluten-free ones are among the best! These Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are made with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice bits and a spiced streusel, and fans are addicted!
"These are fire! Love it with a nice warm coffee," raved one fan in the comments of a new post from @traderjoesglutenfree and @traderjoeslist. "These ARE delicious!! 20 seconds in the microwave or straight outta the box," commented another.
3. Mocha Latte Pretzels
In third place are the Mocha Latte Pretzels, which are described as "velvety white candy coating envelops each one with sweetness and a hint of vanilla" on the website. "Those little specks you see generously covering these twisty confections? They're ground coffee beans, the source of that bold coffee taste. Topped off with a dark chocolatey drizzle, these pretzels boast true mocha flavor in every bite."
"These are amazing," raved one fan on the official Instagram account back in August. "They're delicious!" exclaimed a second, as a third dropped a heart eyes emoji, which tells us all we need to know! "I'll take 10," commented another fan, followed by the red heart emoji.
2. Pancake Bread
Securing the second spot is the Trader Joe's Pancake Bread. This product has been flying off the shelves over recent years, and the reviews from happy customers speak for themselves!
"I buy this & eat the whole thing every time… No regrets," wrote one shopper on a post from @traderjolene. Someone else called it "a fave in our house," as another shopper said: "I never leave the store without Pancake Bread... it's a staple in our household."
1. Brown Butter Salted Caramel Mini Biscotti
Trader Joe's Brown Butter Salted Caramel Mini Biscotti is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon cup of coffee, and we do not regret placing it at the very top of our list for this reason!
As the TJ's website describes, the biscotti is "the perfect combo of warm, caramelized flavor and captivating crunchiness." You can pick up a 9-oz tub of these delicious cookies for just $4.99, though they're so delectable we're not sure how long just one tub will last you! More is definitely more on this occasion!
