What I Buy at Trader Joe’s for the Holidays

Best Trader Joe's Buys for the Holidays | @dcgirlinpearls

 

Having a Trader Joe’s a mere 15 minute walk from my apartment has been a serious game changer. I have yet to break out my granny cart but it’s really just a matter of time. I love Trader Joe’s all year round but they really up their game when it comes to the holiday season. The desserts alone are out of this world! The working title of this blog post was actually “How I’ll ruin my diet this month.” I have my standard Trader Joe’s grocery list but during the holidays, a few fun items sneak their way into my cart. Last weekend, I picked up hot cocoa with salted caramel. I love sipping it in the morning at my desk as I scroll through the news and respond to emails. I’ve rounded up my favorite Trader Joe’s holiday items and I can’t wait to see what Trader Joe’s comes up with this year! It’s like Christmas morning came early : )

Share your favorite Trader Joe’s holiday product! I’m always on the hunt to try out something new from TJ’s.

Cranberry Prosecco

Okay first of all, this cranberry prosecco is FOUR DOLLARS. If that doesn’t make you feel instantly merrier, I don’t know what will. I wait all year for Trader Joe’s to break out their cranberry prosecco and then I stock up to bring to holiday parties. Hmm I might have found the perfect use for my granny cart : ) The cranberry prosecco is light, crisp and not too sweet. I love it on its own or in a holiday cocktail like this sparkling cranberry rosé sangria. Stay tuned later this month, I’ll be sharing another delicious cocktail with my favorite holiday bubbles.

Egg Nog

I love egg nog, it’s not the holiday season officially until that first cup of eggnog (with or without rum!). And in one of my all-time favorite recipe posts, I used egg nog to kick up French toast a notch or two. Pin the slow cooker egg nog French toast with challah bread + cookie butter drizzle now for Christmas morning!

Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s + Multi-Flavor Joe-Joe’s

Joe-Joe’s > Oreos. There, I said it. While TJ’s has different seasonal Joe-Joe’s flavors throughout the year, I especially love the candy cane edition. The holiday season is an especially wonderful time for Joe-Joe’s fans because they also bring out their multi-flavor Joe-Joe’s. In one box, you get four different types of Joe-Joe’s all covered in chocolate. I mean, what really else do you need? Pick up two boxes, one for a holiday party and one just for you ; )

Cranberry Chevre

I’m about to say a really unpopular opinion. Here goes. Unless it’s melted, I’m not a fan of cheese. Love it on pizza, lasagna and grilled cheese. But cubes of cheese or string cheese never did it for me. Cranberry chevre makes me rethink my stance on non-melted cheese. It’s soft like a typical goat cheese and oh-so-easy to spread onto a cracker. The tart candied cranberry outer layer is the perfect complement to the tanginess of the goat cheese. I tried it once at a Christmas party a few years ago and never looked back. It’s $3.99 and I promise people will lose their minds when they taste it.

Fig Butter

When I discovered you could shake fruit butter in a cocktail shaker and it would dissolve to create a flavorful cocktail, it was game over. Since then, I’ll take a glance at the Trader Joe’s fruit butter shelf whenever I’ll picking up peanut butter (…or cookie butter) to see what new, fun flavors they have now. If you are a fig fan, you’ll need to pick up Trader Joe’s fig butter next time you’re out grocery shopping. This small jar packs a serious flavor punch and I love to put a spoonful of fig butter on my avocado toast for a sweeter take on the breakfast favorite. Or you know, put it into a cocktail shaker with some bourbon, shake, strain into a glass and top with ginger beer. Whatever makes your spirits bright!

Puff Pastry

I learned about Trader Joe’s puff pastry when I was reading an unofficial Trader Joe’s cookbook. I swear I’m cool, I just get really passionate about Trader Joe’s!! You can find the puff pastry in the frozen section and if you’re a big baker, I suggest stocking up because puff pastry flies off the shelf every.single.year. I used the puff pastry to make a lazy girl baklava and if you’re looking for a savory appetizer, it’s wonderful topped with roasted veggies! If you need to make an appetizer to bring to a holiday party, you’re in good hands with their puff pastry. This product has earned its place as a cult Trader Joe’s product.

Peppermint Joe-Joe’s Ice Cream

Are you picking up on my love of Joe-Joe’s? Just a little bit? In case you’re wondering how to make the best Joe-Joe cookie even better, it’s to crush it up and mix it into peppermint ice cream. So simple, so brilliant. So dangerous in my freezer.

Incanto Prosecco

Started with prosecco, ending with prosecco. This comically large bottle of prosecco is twice the size of a regular wine bottle and is $12! If you’re looking to be the hostess with the mostest or want a fun bottle to bring to a holiday party, Incanto Prosecco is what you need. It’s a tart, very dry prosecco that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.

Do you have a favorite Trader Joe’s holiday product? Share below! I always love trying out new TJ’s items.

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2 Comments

  1. 11.20.17
    Natalie Caroline said:

    Yes! I live near the new Trader Joe’s at Eastern Market, and I have NO SHAME in taking my granny cart over there as well as my tote bags and stocking up!

    • 11.20.17

      You go girl! There’s just so much good stuff, you need all the carts + totes.