Few things can compare to freshly madebaked goods.
Cookies, cakes, muffins, pies, breadtherecipe optionsare endless.
Unlike many grocery chains, Trader Joe’s doesn’t have anon-site bakery.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
As with anything else from TJ’s, the selection features a mix of shelf mainstays andlimited-time seasonal options.
While the grocer boasts plenty of variety, one question remains: which baked goods are the best?
Then, I recruited two hungry, dessert-loving friends.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
A six-count box cost me $4.49.
The inside showcased a cakey, somewhat dry texture.
Beyond the initial bite, there was a strong maple syrup aftertaste that continued to linger in my mouth.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
“You have to be a real maple fan to eat that,” one of my friends noted.
I purchased these for $3.29.
Additionally, the flavor tasted a bit artificial.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
“Nothing special,” one friend declared.
“Too plain [and] boring,” another one said.
According to Trader Joe’s, the salt is intended to “amplify all that chocolatey goodness.”
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
An eight-count package cost me $2.99.
The look:These looked like typical browniesmoist and fudgy, with some having more cracks than others.
While I appreciate the inclusion of sea salt in desserts, this one was just too salty for me.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
However, these brownie bites still had some positive qualities.
Getting past the saltiness, the brownies were still fudgy, while the chocolate chips offered some texture.
This pastry has seven servings and cost me $4.99.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
The look:One word: beautiful.
Though the dough was lightly dusted in powdered sugar, I would have liked to see more of it.
I purchased it for $4.99.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
The look:This eight-inch loaf featured a pale beige layer covered in crumbs and cracks.
Upon cutting into it, I was greeted by a crumbly, golden cake-like texture.
The taste:My taste testers and I all agreed this item wasinterestingbut in a good way.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
One of my friends described this as “pleasantly plain.”
They’re topped with cinnamon-sugar pumpkin spice bits and a spiced streusel topping, as well.
The taste:The pumpkin flavor was apparent, but not nearly as pronounced as I expected.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
I picked up the eight-count package for $4.49.
The brownies had a moister appearance, as well, though I passed this off as being fudgy.
However, as a chocolate fanatic, I didn’t consider this to be a weakness.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
“It really does taste batter-y,” one friend said.
Yielding eight servings, this item cost me $5.99.
The edges were crispy, as well.
The taste:I’ve had this coffee cake before, and I’ve enjoyed it each time.
The inside is moist, while the cinnamon crumble offered some crunch.
Overall, it’s a pretty standard coffee cake that would pair well with a hot beverage.
Some powdered sugar would have taken it up a notch, too.
Even so, the dessert is sweet without being overpowering.
Available in packages of three for $3.99, each cookie features chocolate chunks and sea salt.
Chocolate chunks were interspersed throughout the dough, and a few salt crystals peaked through.
There was also a notable butteriness to these.
Still, there was another dessert that surpassed all of my expectations.
The dough was golden brown, with the apple cinnamon filling emerging from the twisted knots.
The lightly colored crumb topping added another eye-catching component to the swirl-shaped dessert.
The taste:The decision was unanimous: these buns were clearly the best.
“I’m going to 100% buy them.
I can eat that at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m.,” one of my friends said.
My only qualm with this item?
That it’s only in stores for a limited time.
