Folks who love food and want to find unique, high-quality, and cheap groceries often go to Trader Joe’s. Their dessert line is no different. Trader Joe’s has a huge selection of sweet treats that are anything but regular. They are great for people who have a serious sweet tooth or just want a little something sweet to end the day. There are a lot of tasty choices, from chocolate-covered treats to fruity frozen treats.
But there are so many to pick from; which ones should you really put in your cart? We’ve chosen the 7 best Trader Joe’s desserts based on taste, texture, and general satisfaction in this guide. Not only do these tried-and-true choices taste great, but they are also consistently good and a fan favorite. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth with the best that Trader Joe’s has to offer, this list will help you find your next food crush.
1. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from Trader Joe’s have become a fan favorite for a reason. The rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate outside of these bite-sized treats goes well with the creamy, salty peanut butter inside. These peanut butter cups aren’t as sweet as store-bought ones, so they’re great for people who want a more sophisticated treat. The chocolate coating has a small snap, while the inside stays soft and creamy, making a satisfying difference in textures.
They come in a handy package that makes them easy to share or eat as a snack. They always taste the same whether you keep them in the pantry or put them in the fridge to make them harder. They stand out because they are made with high-quality ingredients and the right amount of sweetness. They taste gourmet without the high price tag. It’s no surprise that people who love desserts at Trader Joe’s think these cups are some of the best things they sell.
2. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels
The Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels from Trader Joe’s are a rich, sweet, and salty treat that is impossible to resist. It has a soft, buttery caramel base in the middle, a thick layer of dark chocolate around it, and flaky sea salt on top. The salt flakes add a classy touch and make the caramel richer, which makes the whole taste stronger. The taste of dark chocolate and salty caramel has been together for a long time, but Trader Joe’s makes these caramels feel extra special.
Each bite is very rewarding because the texture is just the right mix of soft chew and hard snap. They look great, so you can give them as a gift or serve them at a dinner party. These caramels always taste rich, whether you eat them slowly to enjoy them or all at once. Not only are they good for a store brand, but they’re also as good as many high-end chocolate shop choices.
3. Butter Waffle Cookies
Trader Joe’s Butter Waffle Cookies are a deliciously crisp and buttery treat that is based on traditional European sweets. The golden-brown color and beautiful grid design of these cookies make them look great and feel great too. Each bite is full of buttery flavor, slightly sweet, and ends with a hint of caramelization that makes the whole thing taste better. They have an elegant taste from being thin and wafer-like and go well with coffee, tea, or even a scoop of ice cream.
What makes them unique is how versatile they are—they can be used to enhance a dessert spread or eaten on their own as a snack. The list of ingredients is surprisingly short, and the taste comes from butter and sugar instead of fake ones. Because they are so light, you can eat a lot of them without getting too full. Even though they look easy, Butter Waffle Cookies are a big hit because they taste great and have the perfect structure.
4. Key Lime Pie
Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie is a holiday favorite that tastes like strong citrus wrapped in a creamy, sour treat. This pie is made with real key lime juice and is the perfect mix of sweet and sour, making it stand out among fruit-based treats. The filling is very smooth, almost like custard, and goes well with the sweet graham cracker top. The base is thick enough to give the pie shape, but not so thick that it takes away from the lime filling.
When served cold, the pie is the perfect treat for hot summer days because it is cool and tangy. People who like treats that aren’t too sweet will really enjoy this one because it has a lot of different flavors. Because it’s ready to serve right from the box, it’s great for parties or when you need a treat quickly. Fans beg for it to come back all year, not just in the summer, which solidifies its status as a top Trader Joe’s treat.
5. S’mores bars
S’mores Trader Joe’s bars are like cozy campfire treats, but they’re small and don’t make a mess. The bottom of these bars is made of soft graham cracker cookies, then there is a gooey marshmallow center, and finally there is a thick layer of milk chocolate on top. Each part is in the right amount, so none of the flavors are overpowered by the others. Unlike regular s’mores, which need to be put together and often leave your fingers sticky, these bars give you all the pleasure without any of the work.
It has just the right amount of crunchy, melty, and crisp textures, and the marshmallow layer stays nice and soft. Trader Joe’s has taken this standard childhood treat and made it a fancier dessert choice without taking away from its fun appeal. These bars are tasty and easy to use. They can be eaten right out of the package or warmed up a bit for more gooeyness. Both kids and adults like them, which makes them a good choice for a sweet treat.
6. A Dozen Macarons
Trader Joe’s A Dozen Macarons are a beautiful and colorful treat that tastes like it came from a Parisian bakery. These light cookies are made from almonds and come in flavors like chocolate, raspberry, vanilla, pistachio, and more. They all have smooth, flavored fillings inside. The crisp outside of each macaron gives way to a chewy, airy inside. This shows that the macarons were baked well, even though they were frozen.
Once they’re thawed, they taste amazingly fresh, like they came from a bakery, but they cost a lot less. Because they look so good, they’re great for special events or just as a fancy treat at home. The variety of flavors is fun, and each cookie adds something different without making the others taste bad. Whether you’ve tried macarons before or this is your first time, Trader Joe’s makes them in a way that makes them easy to get and taste great. Because they are cheap and good, I buy them again and again.
7. Strawberries and Cream Gelato
Trader Joe’s Strawberries and Cream Gelato is a rich, creamy frozen treat with a classic taste and a smooth, velvety texture. Real strawberry puree and rich cream are mixed together in this gelato to make a creamy base that is both refreshing and decadent. This gelato has less air in it than most ice creams, which makes it thicker and creamier in the mouth, which brings out the fruity sweetness even more.
The strawberry flavor tastes real—bright and slightly sour—rather than fake, and the sweetness of the cream perfectly balances it out. It’s a great choice for dessert lovers who want something rich without being too heavy. From the fresh fruit taste to the smooth, creamy finish, you can tell that the ingredients are good. It makes any treat more special, whether it’s served in a bowl, a cone, or with cake. It’s a must-try in Trader Joe’s dessert lineup that they’ve made a frozen treat that can compete with boutique gelato brands.
Bottom Line
In the end, Trader Joe’s desserts are the right mix of high-end quality and daily affordability. If you have a sweet tooth, this place has something for everyone, whether you like chocolate, fruit, or cookies.
That’s why the things on this list, from sweet peanut butter cups to cool ice, are highly rated and loved by shoppers. Not only are they tasty, but they’re also easy to get and handy. Keep an eye out for these very popular treats the next time you’re shopping. You might find your new favorite treat, and you won’t be let down.
FAQs
What is Trader Joe’s most-ordered dessert?
People often say that the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are the most popular because they taste so good and are just the right amount of sweet and salty.
Can vegans eat the sweets at Trader Joe’s?
Many of Trader Joe’s treats are good for vegetarians, but always read the label to make sure there aren’t any animal-based products or gelatin.
What about Trader Joe’s baked goods? Can I freeze them?
Yes, you can freeze most baked treats, like Key Lime Pie or S’mores Bars, to keep them fresh longer and eat them later.
How about desserts that are in season at Trader Joe’s?
Of course! Keep an eye out at Trader Joe’s during holiday seasons and other times when they have limited-edition seasonal desserts.