Trader Joe’s offers a wide variety of sweet treats, but not all are created equal. In this guide, we’ll rank 6 must-try desserts that are absolutely worth the hype and 6 that you might want to leave on the shelf. Let’s dive into the winners and losers of Trader Joe’s dessert aisle!
Yay: All Butter Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with a Raspberry Filling $2.99/5.29 Oz
These delicate shortbread cookies are buttery and crisp, with a sweet raspberry filling that balances the richness perfectly. Ideal for tea time or a light dessert.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 140
Total Fat: 6g
Sugar: 8g
Protein: 1g
Ingredients:
Butter
Wheat Flour
Sugar
Raspberry Filling
Eggs
Prep Instructions:
No prep required—enjoy straight from the box!
Yay: Salted Maple Ice Cream $3.79/1 Pint
This rich, creamy ice cream balances sweet maple flavor with a hint of salt, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s smooth, indulgent, and an ideal fall dessert.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 280
Total Fat: 17g
Sugar: 29g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 120 mg
Ingredients:
Cream
Maple Syrup
Sugar
Salt
Egg Yolks
Prep Instructions:
Scoop and enjoy straight from the freezer, or pair with warm baked goods for an extra indulgent treat.
Yay: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups $4.99/16 Oz
These indulgent peanut butter cups are a perfect marriage of rich dark chocolate and smooth peanut butter. A crowd favorite, they’re hard to resist.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 210
Total Fat: 16g
Sugar: 9g
Protein: 5g
Ingredients:
Dark Chocolate
Peanut Butter
Sugar
Palm Oil
Salt
Prep Instructions:
No prep needed—just unwrap and enjoy!
Yay: Danish Kringle $7.99/14 oz
Trader Joe’s Kringle is a flaky, buttery pastry filled with almond, pecan, or raspberry filling, perfect for breakfast or dessert. Baked to golden perfection, this Danish delight is a fan-favorite during the holidays.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 260
Total Fat: 14g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 2g
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Butter
Sugar
Almonds, Pecans, or Raspberries
Eggs
Prep Instructions:
Best served warm. Heat in the oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes for a crispy, fresh-out-of-the-bakery taste.
Yay: Chocolate Brooklyn Babka $5.99/18 Oz
A swirled, chocolatey, decadent bread, the Brooklyn Babka is perfect for brunch, dessert, or an afternoon coffee break. Rich, fudgy, and buttery, it’s a must-have for chocolate lovers.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 250
Total Fat: 12g
Sugar: 15g
Protein: 6g
Potassium: 50mg
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Cocoa
Sugar
Butter
Eggs
Prep Instructions:
Best served warm. Heat in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes to enhance its flavor and texture.
Yay: Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters $3.99/6 Oz
Description: This hybrid dessert combines a rich, fudgy brownie with a chewy cookie, and adds a layer of caramel clusters for extra indulgence.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 250
Total Fat: 6g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 1g
Calcium: 20mg
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Sugar
Butter
Caramel
Eggs
Prep Instructions:
For the best experience, heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the caramel and enhance the flavors.
Nays: Desserts to Skip
Nay: Oat Chocolate Bars $1.99/2.65 Oz
While the idea of oat-based chocolate might sound healthy, these bars lack the rich, creamy texture that makes chocolate so satisfying.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 140
Total Fat: 10g
Sugar: 11g
Protein: Less than 1g
Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
Ingredients:
Oat Milk
Cocoa Butter
Sugar
Sunflower Oil
Prep Instructions:
No prep needed—just unwrap and eat, though you might find yourself wishing for a better chocolate fix.
Nay: Tiramisu Torte $6.99/16 oz
Unfortunately, this torte doesn’t live up to the creamy richness of traditional tiramisu. The flavors are muted, and the texture can be dense and dry.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 280
Total Fat: 16g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
Mascarpone
Espresso
Wheat Flour
Eggs
Sugar
Prep Instructions:
No preparation needed, but serving it cold directly from the refrigerator may enhance the texture slightly.
Nay: Peas & Carrots Sour Gummy Candies $1.29/3 Oz
While these gummy candies are cute in concept, the flavor is artificial and overly sweet. The novelty wears off quickly, making this one to skip.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 0g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
Sugar
Glucose Syrup
Citric Acid
Natural Flavors
Prep Instructions:
Ready to eat, though the taste may not be worth it.
Nay: Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean Mini Sheet Cake $4.99/18 Oz
Despite its elegant name, this mini sheet cake falls flat. The cream can be overly sweet, and the cake itself lacks moisture.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 340
Total Fat: 19g
Sugar: 34g
Protein: 2g
Total Carbohydrate: 43 g
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Sugar
Cream
Vanilla Bean
Prep Instructions:
No prep needed, though a glass of milk might help with the dryness.
Nay: Iced Gingerbread Squares $3.99/10 oz
While gingerbread is usually a holiday hit, these iced squares can be overly sweet with a dry, crumbly texture that makes them hard to enjoy.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 190
Total Fat: 6g
Sugar: 21g
Protein: 2g
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Sugar
Ginger
Spices
Butter
Prep Instructions:
Enjoy as-is, though warming them up might slightly improve the texture.
Nay: Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s $2.99/10.5 Oz
These seasonal Joe-Joe’s try to capture the fall spirit but end up tasting artificial and overly spiced. The flavor is a far cry from the original Joe-Joe’s.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 160
Total Fat: 7g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 1g
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Sugar
Palm Oil
Pumpkin Spice
Prep Instructions:
Ready to eat, but may leave you wishing for the original Joe-Joe’s.
Final Say
Trader Joe’s has a lot of dessert hits, but it’s not without a few misses. Stick to their beloved Kringle or rich Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups for a satisfying sweet fix. And if you’re tempted by the Oat Chocolate Bars or Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s—maybe think twice before tossing them in your cart!
