Over the years, Trader Joe’s has garnered an immense amount of online attention for their limited and seasonal “drops.” Countless social media accounts dedicate themselves to updating shoppers on the store’s every move, accounts like @traderjoeslist and @traderjoesobsessed garnering over one-million followers each on Instagram.
The holiday season is an especially hectic and exciting time for shoppers. From Halloween to Christmas, Trader Joe’s seems to cycle through seasonal items like there’s no tomorrow, and shoppers will stop at nothing to get their hands on their favorite Trader Joe’s holiday treat. I experienced the craze firsthand this fall. After buying the last of the limited-time Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martinis, my mother and I were accosted in the parking lot by a shopper offering to buy them off us for double their original price. We denied, but we could now see clearly that Trader Joe’s seasonal fanatics did not merely exist online, and they certainly took their grocery shopping very seriously.
Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, much of the Trader Joe’s excitement seems to be on holiday sweets, like their famous “Jingle Jangle” and bakery items. However, Trader Joe’s long list of holiday goodies is full of hidden gems that are easy to miss on a stroll through the store. Below I’ve detailed my personal can’t-miss items this holiday season and exactly how I enjoy them. Snack on, and happy holidays!
Totally Cheeseball Cheese Spread
New on the shelves this year, this cheesy, rich spread makes for the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. I recently gave it a try and fell instantly in love. My family’s star appetizer on Thanksgiving has been my grandma’s famous cheeseball for decades. However, I must admit that Trader Joe’s cheeseball spread made me forget all about grandma’s recipe for a moment. It’s sure to become a holiday staple in my household!
The spread’s rich cheddar flavor and slight nuttiness make it the cherry-on-top to a holiday cheese and cracker board. At Fearless Flyer’s recommendation, I found it to pair wonderfully with Trader Joe’s cornbread crisps.
I baked my first box of Trader Joe’s gingerbread about three years ago and haven’t baked another brand since. The mixture’s old-fashioned, classic gingerbread flavor tastes like pure Christmas, transporting your tastebuds straight to a cozy cabin in a snowy forest. What really separates the mix from the rest, though, is the large chunks of candied ginger nestled in every bite. Such a unique flavor will no doubt make your baked goods stand out at the dessert table this holiday.
Although I’ve had lovely experiences baking both cakes and cookies with the mix, Trader Joe’s gingerbread cake has become a special tradition in my household. Its light sweetness and perfect moisture are simply unbeatable in my opinion. I enjoy topping it with a delicate white icing and a sprinkle of powdered sugar to make the most picturesque winter wonderland of a cake.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn
Often overshadowed by Trader Joe’s popular stuffing seasoned kettle chips, this popcorn is the first snack I look for on the shelves come November. Trader Joe’s nails the classic stuffing flavor on the head whilst entirely reinventing the experience with the airy, snack-able texture of popcorn.
I love to enjoy this snack paired with another familiar fall favorite: Trader Joe’s maple and sea salt kettle corn. The flavor of stuffing and maple unexpectedly pair well side-by-side, both embodying that cozy fall ambiance in every bite. Enjoy snug on the couch with a holiday movie on TV, and you’ve got yourself the perfect November night in.
This guide would be simply incomplete without a sweet peppermint treat to get you in the Christmas spirit, and these peppermint pretzel slims are my favorite Trader Joe’s has to offer. The ratio of sweetness to saltiness is just right, and there are just enough candy cane sprinkles so the peppermint flavor does not overwhelm.
While excellent on their own, I love to elevate my snacking experience by pairing them with a hot chocolate or crumbling over a rich chocolate ice cream. Peppermint and chocolate is simply too powerful a combo to refuse!
As a Trader Joe’s fanatic myself, I do encourage giving all sorts of their seasonal treats a try. Their seasonal drops are quite extensive and certainly creative; there’s truly something for everyone on the shelves this holiday season.