17 Trader Joe’s Finds We’re Adding to Our Carts This Holiday Season

On By Littum

We dedicated ours November issue for the Capital Region’s star crop of mom-and-pop merchants. But we’d be lying if we said that 225 team didn’t have a special place in our hearts for a particular grocery store chain.

Honestly, we can’t get enough Trader Joe’s on Perkins Road. The prices are fair, the cashiers are just the right level of chatty and the seasonal selections always deliver.

Leading up to Thanksgiving, we shared information about the store’s newest snacks and treats on our Slack channel. We sent some employees out to investigate the fall and holiday offerings of goodies, including one who, ahemsomehow ventured to TJ’s for first time. Here’s what we’ve gathered. Now it’s your turn – tell us what you’re buying this season (email protected).

Nuts about rosemary mix

“Having an easy, presentable snack on hand during the holidays is golden, and Nuts About Rosemary Mix fits the bill. It’s a fun thing to have in the pantry when guests stop by (or just when you’re streaming your jammies). It is also a good hostess present combined with a bottle of wine or spirits. Step up your game with this one.”

—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 functions author

Cornbread mix

“This has been a staple in my house this fall. It supports just the right level of ‘home cooking’ for two working parents on a busy day, and our 4-year-old has even mastered scooping the yellow sling into the muffin tin cups to help out .Inspired by 225‘s very own Olivia Deffes’ latest Friendsgiving contribution, I’m hoping to add a few upgrades to our mix soon, like bacon or jalapeños, for an adults-only bread. But the spongy bread with just a hint of sweetness is still great without all the trimmings, also best paired with chili or soup for great fall vibes.”

—Laura Furr Mericas, 225 managing editor

Stollen Crisps

“I love a good charcuterie board, especially for holiday gatherings, and these seasonal chips are my new must-include crackers for any party or pre-meal spread. They are inspired by the sweet German bread stollen, usually filled with dried fruit and nuts. These crackers mimic the treat, sprinkled with raisins and citrus peels and dusted in powdered sugar. They make a sweet snack on their own and are addictive enough to warrant a few handfuls. I also think the sugary flavor of the crackers would be perfect to pair with a sharp, punchy cheese like Unexpected Cheddar. OK – now I’ll run to my pantry to grab a few.”

—Olivia Deffes, 225 digital staff writer

Cranberry Chèvre goat cheese

“My mom usually asks me to make a cheese plate for Thanksgiving, and this tangy, creamy goat cheese log is always a crowd pleaser. I also love Unexpected Cheddar and am super curious about it Holiday Cheer Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spreadwith cranberry pieces, cinnamon and riesling.”

—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor-in-chief

Butter with brown sugar & maple syrup

“Listen, I’m a bread-and-butter girl to my core—it’s even the title of my country playlist. The addition of brown sugar and maple syrup just gives your bread and cakes a much-appreciated sweet touch—I think , it’s part of the reason people are obsessed with Texas Roadhouse rolls, too. Thank you, Trader Joe’s, for giving us that experience at home during the holidays.”

-Madison Cooper, 225 contributing author

Cedar balsam candle

“In my apartment, there’s always a candle burning. And I love seasonal scents so much that I now light several to fill rooms with my favorite limited-edition scents. I always check Trader Joe’s candle tins when I’m traveling to see which ones new they have in stock.I recently picked up a few Cedar Balsam candles which in my opinion are among their best scents..and as one that puts one imitated wood up, I love lighting this candle to fill my room with woody, warm and fresh notes to make the room smell like the real thing.”

Pierre & Antonin Amuse Bouche – Pet Night Rosé

“I recently started following along Sam Capaldia sommelier who posts ‘no-snobby’ reviews of budget-friendly wines and pairings. Much of her content centers around my favorite department at TJ’s: the wine department. I’m always on the hunt to find natural wines and I snagged this peachy frothy natural sparkling rose on her recommendation. It would be great to pair with a festive cheese board or a spicy mac and cheese. Store the fun bottle in a TJ’s wine gift bag for an easy gift for a holiday party host.”

—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor-in-chief

Double Fold Bourbon Vanilla Extract

“Christmas is the one time a year when I really have time to bake. Sad, I know. That’s why I love Seasonal Double Fold Bourbon Vanilla Extract. In general, extracts are expensive, but for a nice sum you can pick up this option, giving you an extra layer of flavor in holiday cookies, muffins, cookies and homemade whipped cream. It’s an easy way to make your stuff taste good fancy.”

—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 functions author

Apple cinnamon buns

“I had never been to Trader Joe’s until I was told to go for this article. I got a cart full of snacks and tried a lot of things, mostly candy. But the apple cinnamon buns kept me going back to the store. A fun game with cinnamon rolls that I can’t get enough of, these rolls have a ball of my favorite fruit in the middle, cinnamon and apple, to make something that gives me that cozy fall feeling some, heat them up for 30 seconds. You can’t go wrong.”

—Oscar Tickle, Melara Enterprises Multimedia Editor

Danish Pretzel

“When I’m in the mood for a slice of pie or a personal-sized pie to have all to myself, I go for a Danish Kringle. Holiday flavors include A Very Danish Christmas Kringle, Christmas Fudge Kringle, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas Kringle and more. Plus, I love a good on-the-go pie that’s ready-made. Who needs the hassle of making a homemade pie in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season?”

-Madison Cooper, 225 contributing author

Gingerbread House Kit and Hot Chocolate Stirring Spoons

“After a failed attempt to construct Haunted House Chocolate Cookie Kit this october i’m fighting for redemption via these gingerbread house DIY kits. How hard can it really be?! And I’ve added hot chocolate stirring spoons to my shopping list for cute and inexpensive gifts for my kids’ classmates.”

—Laura Furr Mericas, 225 managing editor

Mini Hold The Cone Peppermint flavor

“I’m obsessed with any kind of peppermint-chocolate combo, and the peppermint Hold The Cones are my perfect wintertime sweet treat. It’s never too cold for ice cream for me! The tiny chocolate cones are filled with peppermint ice cream and completely encased in a chocolate coating – just a few bites of holiday goodness. If you’re like me and chocolate and peppermint are your two ultimate winter cravings, you’ll love this sweet treat.”

-Gracelyn Farrar, 225 contributing writer

Jingle Jingle

“Around Thanksgiving, an old colleague and I would always text each other about Jingle Jangle sightings. ‘Go now,’ we’d urge, because the shelves of the candy-filled cans often dry up by mid-December. (Although the inventory seems to to last longer some years than others.) The round green containers are filled with an assortment of sweet-salty things that are hard not to eat by the handful: chocolate-covered pretzels, dark chocolate-covered caramel popcorn, chunks of dark chocolate-covered Joe-Joe’s cookies, mini peanut butter cups, and red milk chocolate gems.”

—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor-in-chief

Amazing multi-flavor mini pretzels

“I love pretzels as a snack to begin with. But cover them in chocolate and I’m sold. This holiday assortment is great for snacking or a sweet treat. If you plan on making a charcuterie board for any of your holiday gatherings, these would make a great addition.”

-Madison Cooper, 225 contributing author

Joe-Joe’s with dark chocolate covered in peppermint

“I’m a sucker for any covered Oreo, and I absolutely love dark chocolate, which means Joe’s-Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint is definitely going in my cart. They’re made even more tempting by a light dusting of crushed peppermint candy. I hides the skinny little box in the back of my pantry and nibbles on one before bed. No. No sharing here.”

—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 functions author

Peppermint creams with dark chocolate

“When I have people over, I always want something sweet for everyone to try. TJ’s seasonal peppermint creams are my current host base. There’s a little crunch when you bite into the hard chocolate shell, but then the inside is creamy peppermint. And those looks so cute and colorful with crumbled candies on top! Everyone who’s come by has been obsessed with these little cream candies, and so am I.”

-Gracelyn Farrar, 225 contributing writer