It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time for some delicious Trader Joe’s Christmas Foods! Of course, we all know that Trader Joe’s products can be a hit-or-miss. What holiday products should you buy, and which ones should you skip?
Well, this year I tried several Trader Joe’s Christmas products and ranked them from worst to best. Check out our list below!
12. Gluten Free Candy Cane Joe Joe’s
Ever since we met, my boyfriend Stephen and I have passionately disagreed on mint-flavored desserts. I love mint everything, and Stephen insists that anything mint tastes like toothpaste.
Well, I disagreed with him about toothpaste until I tried Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Candy Cane Joe Joe’s. These cookies tasted like minty toothpaste-flavored cardboard, which was a shame considering how excited I was about eating them! Even worse, I proved my peppermint-hating boyfriend right.
Without a doubt, these cookies were a huge disappointment.
Rating: 0/10
11. Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars
While slightly more edible than Gluten Free Peppermint Joe-Joe’s, Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars also taste like Colgate. Regular Dark Chocolate Stars are far superior!
Rating: 0.5/10
10. O’ Nog Non-Dairy Oat Beverage
O’Nog Non-Dairy Oat Beverage was another disappointing Trader Joe’s Christmas product. When I poured it into my morning coffee, it came out in chunks despite having been purchased one day prior.
Because I’m insane I tried a sip anyways, and it was flavorless. Because I’m insane and stubborn, I purchased another carton from Trader Joe’s and tried again. The same thing happened!
The only reason I gave O’Nog a 1 is because I think my local store may have received a bad shipment. I’m hopeful that if I purchase O’Nog again next year, it will be delicious.
Rating: 1/10
9. Mini Peppermint Meringues
Trader Joe’s Mini Peppermint Meringues are a light, egg-based peppermint dessert. Unlike the above two peppermint products, the Peppermint Meringues do NOT taste like toothpaste. Regardless, they’re not particularly memorable either. There are better desserts on this list!
Rating: 3/10
8. Mini Peppermint Hold the Cone! Ice Cream Cones
After falling in love with Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Ginger Ice Cream Cones earlier this year, I had high expectations for the Peppermint flavored ones- especially considering mint is my favorite flavor of ice cream!
Sadly, the Peppermint Flavored Ice Cream Cones are not as amazing as their pumpkin counterparts. If you love mint ice cream as much as I do, you’ll enjoy these! If not, I’d probably skip and pick up a different dessert.
Rating: 5/10
7. Winter Wassail Punch
A blend of apple, cherry, blackcurrant, and lemon juices, Trader Joe’s Winter Wassail Punch is a unique holiday twist on the classic fruit punch.
While tasty, the fruit flavors of the Winter Wassail Punch are overpowered by holiday spices. Though I wouldn’t pour a cup of Winter Wassail Punch and drink it on its own, it makes a pretty great mixer for Christmas cocktails. Pro tip: add a shot of Crown Royal Apple for a delicious holiday cocktail!
Rating: 5/10
6. Cranberry Orange Bars
Found in the frozen food aisle, Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Bars are a surprisingly delicious winter treat. Not overly sweet or filling, these bars are the perfect holiday dessert to contrast with the usual heavy holiday fare.
Rating: 6.5/10
5. Dark Chocolate Stars
Dark Chocolate Stars are a longtime Trader Joe’s Christmas staple in my pantry. Delicious and not too sweet, they’re a great treat to bring to Christmas Cookie parties!
Rating: 7/10
4. Winter Wake Up Tea
A blend of black tea, cinnamon, orange peel, and ginger, and cloves, Trader Joe’s Winter Wake Up Tea is spicy and refreshing. It’s the perfect way to start your day during the Christmas season!
Rating: 8.5/10
3. Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
I’m not a huge hot cocoa person, so I didn’t have any expectations for the Organic Hot Cocoa Mix going in. However, I was pleasantly surprised- this was the best hot chocolate mix I’ve ever had!
If you’re heading to Trader Joe’s this holiday season, make sure to pick up a box of Organic Hot Cocoa Mix to enjoy with your friends and family.
Rating: 8.5/10
2. Mini Gingerbread People
In fact, these cookies were so delicious, I had to ask my boyfriend to hide them (I’m not supposed to eat gluten, but I’ve been known to demolish an entire box of cookies in one sitting!)
If you love gingerbread, these cookies are a must-have.
Rating: 9.5/10
1. Danish Butter Cookies
Trader Joe’s Danish Butter Cookies are by far the best Christmas food this season. In fact, they’re almost as good as the iconic Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s, my favorite Trader Joe’s cookie of all time.
Unlike the above Mini Gingerbread People, my boyfriend was sadly unable to hide the Danish Butter Cookies before I got to them. I actually did demolish the entire tin in one sitting! They gave me a terrific stomachache, but it was worth it.
Rating: 10/10