21 Best Trader Joe's Desserts for All Occasions in 2025
Trader Joe’s desserts are a sweet-tooth’s dream come true! You can satisfy your cravings with anything from indulgent classics to creative, limited-edition inventions. But with so many options lining the shelves of your local store, what are the best desserts at Trader Joe's to buy?
Whether you’re looking for a decadent treat to celebrate a birthday, the perfect after-dinner sweet or you simply want to try something seasonal, there’s a Trader Joe’s dessert for you. No matter the occasion, read on to discover our top picks among the many delicious desserts at Trader Joe's.
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What Types of Desserts Does Trader Joe's Have?
Trader Joe’s desserts span everything from frozen grab-and-go goodies to bakery-style treats imported from around the world. So, if you’re after something sweet and are considering shopping for some Trader Joe’s desserts, it’s worth looking in your local store to see what they have in stock.
Primary categories of desserts available at Trader Joe's include pies and tarts, cakes, cookies and ice cream products, including mini-versions of these types of desserts. You can also find pastries, delicate sweets like meringues and globally-inspired options, such as mochi-based desserts.
Limited Edition and Seasonal Trader Joe's Desserts
In addition to year-round favorites, Trader Joe’s desserts also include a rotating selection of seasonal and limited-time treats. Trader Joe’s desserts labeled “Limited” are only available while the stores have stock of them and desserts labeled “Seasonal” are usually expected to make annual appearances.
Whether it’s a festive pastry for the holidays or a unique summer-inspired frozen treat, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in the Trader Joe’s desserts aisle.
Trader Joe's Dessert Suppliers
While Trader Joe’s doesn’t operate an in-house bakery like some grocery chains do, all Trader Joe’s desserts are made by high-quality suppliers. Unlike traditional grocery stores, you may notice that Trader Joe’s desserts also don’t disclose who their suppliers are.
This is because they believe in the phenomenon of “choice overload,” where shoppers are confronted with too many options to choose from, so they are likely to end up choosing to buy none at all. According to Harvard Business School, this approach is successful because the Trader Joe’s desserts on offer are seemingly selected by Trader Joe’s.
This implies that they have done the evaluative legwork on behalf of the shopper, selecting the single best version of that dessert to stock on their shelves. Further, by not disclosing suppliers, TJ's can also rotate stock of products more easily because the brand loyalty is only to Trader Joe’s.
Does Trader Joe's Have Sugar-Free Desserts?
For those looking to cut back on sugar, there are, unfortunately, very few Trader Joe’s desserts that are fully sugar-free. However, one standout product is the brand's dark chocolate chips, which have no sugar added and contain zero grams of total sugar.
While they’re often used as a baking ingredient, they’re also a great snack to combine with whole foods like pepitas or healthy nuts, such as almonds, walnuts and pecans. That being said, there is a whole variety of Trader Joe’s desserts that are labeled “no sugar added,” which are ideal if you’re avoiding refined sugars but not sugar altogether.
Options like dried mango, apricots, watermelon and papaya, as well as freeze-dried mangosteen, raspberries, figs, cherries and strawberries, all offer naturally sweet flavors without any additional sugar.
Pair these with homemade low-sugar mousse or unsweetened yogurt, like the Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Cashew Cultured Yogurt Alternative, and you’ve got a wholesome, naturally sweet treat that feels just as satisfying as any of the sugar-loaded Trader Joe’s desserts on offer.
Are There Any Healthy Trader Joe's Desserts?
If you’re looking for healthy Trader Joe’s desserts, there are plenty of options that balance flavor and nutrition. For instance, Mango Sticky Rice Crisps and Super Strawberry Sorbet are both great options that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Blueberry Dream Frozen Dessert Bars are another great pick when available.
Other healthy Trader Joe’s desserts include the Nocciolini Tiny Hazelnut Meringues, which are light and airy with just a hint of sweetness, and Pink Lady Apple Chips, which offer a crisp texture and natural apple flavor without any added sugar.
While not all Trader Joe’s desserts can be considered healthy, opting for treats with no added sugar or choosing Trader Joe’s desserts where sugar appears lower on the ingredients list are simple ways to make your dessert choices healthier without sacrificing flavor.
The 21 Best Desserts at Trader Joe's
1. Snickerdoodle Cookies
Are you a soft and chewy cookie person or a firm and crunchy cookie person? If you’re the former, keep reading because these cookies may be one of the greatest Trader Joe's desserts you can get your hands on. Bursting with cinnamon-sugar goodness, Trader Joe’s snickerdoodle cookies are a nostalgic delight that has held its ground as one of Trader Joe's best desserts for quite some time.
Made using a traditional recipe that includes cream of tartar for extra softness and korintje cinnamon for a punch of warm spice, these cookies are then baked until they have crisp edges and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center.
Whether you choose to enjoy your cookies straight from the box or you prefer to use them as the base for a creative dessert, these snickerdoodles are versatile enough for any occasion — and they’re available all year long.
Try sandwiching them with vanilla ice cream for an unbeatable homemade ice cream sandwich or crumble them over a bowl of caramel pudding for an extra layer of warmth and spice. Trader Joe’s desserts like these cookies show that often, the simplest treats are the most satisfying.
2. French Apple Tart
It’s not every day you get to enjoy Ina Garten's favorite Trader Joe's dessert, but with the French Apple Tart, that’s exactly what you’re getting. This seasonal treat combines a shortbread crust with a luscious apple and apricot filling and a fan of perfectly arranged apple slices. It's then finished with a delicate apricot glaze.
The blend of sweet Northern Spy apples and tart Granny Smith apples is all you need for a balanced flavor profile and every bite is as satisfying as the last. If you’re after Trader Joe’s desserts that can be dressed up with scoops of vanilla ice cream or dollops of whipped cream for a show-stopping centerpiece at a Thanksgiving or holiday spread, this tart is your best bet.
Plus, it doubles as the perfect addition to an elegant tea-time or you can enjoy a warmed slice as an after-dinner treat. Trader Joe’s desserts don’t get more convenient than this! Since it’s only available for a limited time, you’ll want to grab one (or a few) before it disappears from shelves.
3. Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean Mini Sheet Cake
Let’s be real, cake should never be reserved just for birthdays. Among all the Trader Joe’s desserts, the sheet cakes take the crown for convenience and quality. The six-person serving size also makes them ideal for sharing at small gatherings or simply sneaking a slice at the end of a meal.
You can grab these mini sheet cakes in the flavors Chantilly cream vanilla bean (the most popular flavor), “Yellow,” which features vanilla cake and chocolate frosting, and dark chocolate ganache. Limited-edition flavors like pumpkin spice and carrot cake are also available throughout the year.
The Chantilly cream vanilla bean flavor features a moist buttermilk-rich sponge infused with ground vanilla beans. The mini sheet cake is finally topped with a luscious buttercream made with real cream butter and cream cheese.
This cake delivers the kind of indulgence you’d expect from a gourmet bakery — but without the hefty price tag — and it comes undecorated, so you can decorate it with all the birthday cake ideas you’ve come across. Trader Joe’s desserts make everyday celebrations easy and this mini sheet cake is proof.
4. Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters
The less conventional Trader Joe’s desserts often surprise and delight and the Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters are no different. The only thing better than a brownie or a chocolate chip cookie is having both at the same time — especially when caramel, dark chocolate and sea salt are involved. While it’s not one of the healthiest snacks at Trader Joe's, it’s certainly one of the most delicious.
These snackable Trader Joe’s desserts take the brookie concept and turn it into a bite-sized masterpiece. Each cluster is a combination of brownie and cookie pieces held together with gooey caramel. The clusters are also coated in dark chocolate and finished with a drizzle of even more chocolate and a sprinkling of sea salt.
They’re the best sweets at Trader Joe's if you love a sweet-and-salty explosion of flavor and that texture is simply too hard to resist. Bring as your movie night snack, an addition to a dessert board or an afternoon treat for your tea party. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to grab on the go, but fair warning — they disappear quickly.
5. Strawberry Mini Hold the Cone!
Trader Joe’s has a way of making popular desserts even more fun and these strawberry-flavored mini ice creams are no exception. Some Trader Joe’s desserts can be too big for a single serving, but these mini cones are the perfect treat for taking one or two… or maybe three.
These tiny treats are made with a sugar cone lined in chocolate to keep it crunchy, which is then filled with strawberry ice cream and topped with a crisp chocolate shell. The strawberry flavor comes from real strawberry purée and the dessert is a playful twist on the classic chocolate-dipped strawberry — but reimagined in an ice cream cone.
Trader Joe’s desserts often cater to every occasion and these mini cones are ideal for grabbing when you need a little something sweet. Serve them as a fun dessert after a romantic meal or keep the box in the freezer for impromptu celebrations — though, let’s be honest, it’ll be hard to keep the box unopened for that long. There are often other flavors available as well, including chocolate, coffee and a dairy-free version.
6. Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels
Few flavor combinations are as timeless as caramel and chocolate and few Trader Joe’s desserts are as well-loved as these. The Trader Joe’s dark chocolate-covered caramels are crafted by an expert confectioner who makes a chewy, lightly salted caramel core before enveloping it in a rich, full-bodied dark chocolate.
The interplay between sweet-bitter flavors and soft-firm textures makes these caramels a delight for the senses and they’re one of the best sweets at Trader Joe's to try if you’re a chocolate lover.
As one of the more decadent Trader Joe’s desserts, these caramels are ideal for enjoying on their own or as part of a larger dessert spread. Add them to a charcuterie board for a sweet contrast to cheeses and nuts or chop them up and bake them into your cookies for a luxurious topping.
They also make a thoughtful gift for anyone with a sweet tooth — just be sure to grab an extra pack for yourself because once you start, it’ll be hard to stop.
7. Chocolate Brooklyn Babka
Some Trader Joe’s desserts are a testament to the craft of Old-World baking and that’s certainly the case with the Chocolate Brooklyn Babka. Made by a small, kosher-certified bakery in Brooklyn, New York, this loaf is a cross between a brioche and a cake, featuring swirls of rich chocolate filling between layers of soft, fluffy dough.
For those familiar with Eastern European Jewish baking traditions, this babka will feel like a treat straight from the oven of a beloved grandma. Among all the Trader Joe’s desserts, this babka shines extra-bright for its many uses.
Eat it as is, enjoy it with a coffee or tear apart the layers to share with a friend; you can even slice it to use as the base for a decadent French toast.
8. Mango Sticky Rice Crisps
Trader Joe’s desserts often blend traditional dessert favorites with innovation and these Mango Sticky Rice Crisps are a prime example. Based on the beloved sweet Thai food made with glutinous rice, fresh mango and coconut milk, this snack is also made by combining rice and coconut milk, along with sweetened dried mango instead of fresh.
Mung beans, watermelon juice and sesame seeds are also added. The mix is then turned into a crisp texture, creating an on-the-go version of the classic. These sweet crisps are even made in Thailand and the hint of toasty nuttiness from the sesame seeds makes every bite as satisfying as the last.
While some Trader Joe’s desserts aren’t the healthiest option, these mango sticky rice crisps are one of the best Trader Joe's snacks when you want a small sweet treat that’s also relatively low in sugar and carbohydrates. They’re also delicious crumbled over raspberry sorbet or healthy Greek yogurt as a low-effort dessert.
9. Sweet Cannoli Dip
Inspired by the creamy filling of traditional Italian cannoli, this Sweet Cannoli Dip cleverly takes the historical dessert and transforms it into a dippable treat. Made from a smooth blend of cream cheese, sour cream and ricotta, this dip is slightly sweet and slightly tangy — ideal for using as a velvety soft frosting for your pumpkin desserts or just simply enjoying by the spoonful.
Freed from its crispy pastry shell, this dip allows for endless creativity in how you can enjoy it. Pair it with graham crackers, biscotti or fresh fruit for an effortless party dipping platter.
You could even swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal to upgrade your breakfast or, for a treat that truly embraces the versatility of Trader Joe’s desserts, layer it into a trifle with cake pieces and berries. You'll also be pleased to learn that Sweet Cannoli Dip is one of the permanent fixtures among Trader Joe’s desserts, so you can pick it up whenever the mood strikes.
10. Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes
Trader Joe’s desserts have long been a go-to for people who want a sweet treat made with high-quality ingredients and now, donut lovers — especially those avoiding gluten — have something to celebrate. The brand’s Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes are rich, tender and irresistibly moist, delivering everything you love about a classic donut but in bite-sized form.
Plus, these donut bites are 100% dairy-free and gluten-free, so they’re perfect for sharing at a large gathering when you don’t know everyone’s dietary needs. Coated in a sweet and shiny glaze, these donut bites achieve the ideal balance of cakey density and soft fluffiness, thanks to the blend of tapioca starch, rice flour and corn starch used to make them.
Trader Joe’s desserts continue to impress with their ability to cater to a variety of dietary preferences without compromising on flavor and these donut holes are no exception. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee, drizzle them with caramel sauce for a restaurant-worthy dessert or simply enjoy them straight from the package.
11. Blueberry Dream Frozen Dessert Bars
When the hot weather is upon us and you’re ready to load your freezer up with one of the cooler Trader Joe’s desserts, Blueberry Dream Frozen Dessert Bars are a great grab-and-go choice. Combining sweet, ripe blueberries with unsweetened blueberry juice, these bars deliver an intensely fruity flavor that feels like summer on a stick.
The ice cream-like base — made with milk, cream, egg yolks and cane sugar — adds a rich, velvety texture that complements the berry-forward profile. These bars are a must-try for anyone who loves blueberries, but they’re only available for a limited time, so get them before they go.
As a standout option among the frozen Trader Joe’s desserts, these treats are ideal for beating the heat on a warm day, whether you enjoy them as a refreshing afternoon snack or a post-dinner palate cleanser. They’re also packed with anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that gives blueberries their signature blue/purple hue, making them one of the healthiest ice cream products available at Trader Joe’s.
12. Petit Fours Mousse Cakes
Bring a touch of French-inspired elegance to the dessert table with one of the most highly rated limited edition Trader Joe’s desserts: Petit Fours Mousse Cakes. These bite-sized treats are made of delicately layered cake and mousse.
They come in three varieties: rich chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, vanilla cake with vanilla mousse and coffee mousse layered over chocolate cake. Each petit four is coated in a smooth chocolate or vanilla shell. They are then finished with edible sugar pearls or chocolate pieces.
These single-portion cakes are a little smaller than most Trader Joe’s desserts, but this makes them a sophisticated treat for entertaining, whether you’re hosting a dinner or want an effortless mini cake to add to your afternoon tea platter. Serve them as party food, in a holiday dessert spread or pair them with espresso for an afternoon pick-me-up.
13. Pink Lady Apple Chips
What happens when you combine the most popular apple variety with one of the healthiest Trader Joe’s desserts? You get Pink Lady apple chips, of course! Each delicate slice is utter sweet-tart perfection and they’re grown in the Washington state sun for up to 200 days before being harvested at peak freshness.
Instead of the standard dehydration process, these apples undergo vacuum crisping, which is a unique, low-temperature frying method that preserves their natural flavor while making them airy and crunchy.
Finished with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar, these apple chips are wholesome yet indulgent and juicy yet crispy. Enjoy them straight from the bag or crumble them over ice cream and drizzle them with caramel sauce for an unexpected take on apple nachos.
Whether you need an on-the-go snack or a crunchy topping for your favorite treats, these apple chips prove that the healthiest fruits can be every bit as delicious as chocolate.
14. Nocciolini Tiny Hazelnut Meringues
Small but mighty, these tiny hazelnut meringues are the perfect finishing touch to your Trader Joe’s desserts, from ice creams and yogurt bowls to dessert boards and beyond. Made in Italy with just three simple ingredients — sugar, hazelnuts and egg whites — these light and airy cookies pack a deep, nutty flavor despite their small size.
With 40 cookies per 150-calorie serving, you get plenty of bang for your buck and if you love nutty flavors, these delicate meringues might just become your new go-to. These mini meringues are one of the most resourceful Trader Joe’s desserts to have on hand in the back of the cupboard, as they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Crumble them over gelato or yogurt for a textural contrast, decorate birthday cakes with them or even add them to a cheese board, where their nutty sweetness pairs beautifully with creamy brie or tangy blue cheese. Light yet flavorful, these meringues offer the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity.
15. Brown Sugar Boba Mochi
Boba lovers, rejoice! If you’re after Trader Joe’s desserts inspired by Taiwanese bubble tea, look no further than Brown Sugar Boba Mochi. This Trader Joe's dessert brings the beloved flavors of bubble tea into a bite-sized Japanese-inspired treat and they’re also made in Taiwan, the birthplace of boba.
At the heart of each mochi lies a gooey tapioca pearl that mimics the texture of traditional brown sugar boba and it’s encapsulated in a chewy, pillowy rice dough wrapper. These mochi bites deliver the full bubble tea experience without the need for a cup and Trader Joe’s desserts like this one prove their commitment to making international favorites accessible to everyone.
Whether you're a seasoned boba enthusiast or love unique and chewy candies, this treat is an easy way to enjoy the signature flavors of brown sugar milk tea anywhere, anytime. However, it’s important to note that this dessert at Trader Joe's is only available for a limited time, so once they’re gone, they’re gone.
16. Crispy Oatmeal Cookies With Sea Salt
There’s a reason why simple, well-made cookies never go out of style. These Crispy Oatmeal Cookies With Sea Salt capture everything there is to love about a great oatmeal cookie and there are few Trader Joe’s desserts that are as well-rounded as these.
They’re crunchy buttery and delightfully balanced between sweet and salty, with the oats giving the cookies a subtle butterscotch-like richness. The light sprinkle of sea salt amplifies the sweetness and after one cookie, you’ll soon realize how dangerously addictive they can be.
As one of the most versatile Trader Joe’s desserts, these cookies fit seamlessly into all kinds of snacking scenarios. Pack a few into a lunchbox for a midday treat, enjoy them with a glass of cold milk or get creative by using them as an ice cream topping. However you choose to enjoy them, they’re a dessert staple worth stocking up on.
17. Super Strawberry Sorbet
When it comes to fruit-forward frozen treats, Trader Joe’s desserts never disappoint — and Super Strawberry Sorbet is no exception. This vegan-friendly sorbet takes the natural sweetness of locally harvested Thai strawberries and blends them with water and cane sugar to create an ultra-smooth, refreshing base.
But the magic doesn’t stop there; each scoop of this sorbet is bursting with chunks of real strawberries, making every bite feel like summer in a bowl. If it’s not already your favorite, Super Strawberry Sorbet will easily become your go-to among all the warm-weather Trader Joe’s desserts if you love your sweet treats bright, tart and refreshing.
Enjoy it on its own for a simple, palate-cleansing treat or, for a sophisticated dessert that trumps all other dinner party ideas, pair it with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and fresh basil. Whether you’re cooling down on a hot day or looking for a plant-based alternative to ice cream, this is one of the best Trader Joe's desserts that proves you don’t need dairy to create something spectacular.
18. Organic Coconut Crunchy Clusters
Made in Sri Lanka, Organic Coconut Crunchy Clusters from Trader Joe’s are a textural dream for coconut lovers. These clusters combine toasted coconut chips with nutty sunflower seeds, earthy pumpkin seeds and mild chia seeds and they’re all bound together with a sprinkling of cane sugar and rice syrup.
The result? One of the best Trader Joe’s desserts when you want something small, snackable and lightly sweet with a deeply satisfying crunch.
While they’re simply delicious straight from the bag, these clusters truly shine as a topping. Sprinkle them over an açaí bowl for extra crunch, coat them in dark chocolate for a more decadent treat or crumble them over tropical ice cream for a sweet-meets-nutty contrast.
Trader Joe’s desserts like this one are ideal for grabbing as an energy-packed treat any time of day — but they’re also some of the best Trader Joe's desserts for using as the finishing touch on your Thanksgiving desserts.
19. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies
The selection of gluten-free Trader Joe’s desserts can vary depending on what’s in season or available in limited stock, but one of the best desserts at Trader Joe's that’s a permanent fixture is Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies. These cookies strike the perfect balance between crispy edges and a chewy center and they’re loaded with chunks of semi-sweet chocolate.
Made with a blend of oat flour, rice flour and tapioca starch, they have a soft and fresh texture that rivals traditional cookies. A sprinkle of sea salt on top enhances their sweetness and the harmony of flavors will keep you reaching for just… one… more. Trader Joe’s desserts have a knack for satisfying cravings, and these cookies are no exception.
Grab one as an afternoon pick-me-up, dip one into a glass of milk or even crumble one over ice cream for one of the best gluten-free desserts to serve at a party. With six cookies per box, they’re great for sharing — though after one bite, you may not want to.
20. Lemon Poppy Seed Buns
Trader Joe’s Poppy Seed Buns have a bright and citrusy zing, bringing a fresh twist to the traditional Danish pastry. Made in Denmark, these buns are baked using a soft and sweet dough that’s generously filled with a vibrant lemon purée and peel-infused filling and they’re finished with crunchy pearl sugar and plenty of aromatic poppy seeds.
With a dynamic combination of tangy, sweet and subtly nutty flavors, seasonal Trader Joe's desserts like this one are a bittersweet treat — delicious while they last but gone too soon. These buns are perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon coffee break or really, any time of day. Warm them up for a melt-in-your-mouth experience that enhances their buttery texture or serve them with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
As one of the most beloved seasonal standouts in the Trader Joe’s desserts lineup, these buns offer a European bakery-level experience without the need for an international flight.
21. Raspberry Mousse Cakes
If you’re hosting afternoon tea for your friends or family any time soon, make sure Raspberry Mousse Cakes are at the top of your list of Trader Joe’s desserts to pick up.
These strictly seasonal delights are made by skilled pastry chefs and they start with a moist vanilla cake that they top with a thick and silky raspberry mousse. The creation is then shaped like a raspberry and coated entirely in a pink confectionery shell, with the finishing touch being a small, green leaf. And, with that, the humble cake is turned into an edible work of art.
These mousse cakes are simply divine when served solo or as part of a dessert selection for afternoon tea, though some may be inclined to serve them with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream to up the ante. They also pair beautifully with a crisp glass of sparkling wine, proving that Trader Joe’s desserts are far from ordinary or boring.
Ultimately, the ever-changing selection of Trader Joe’s desserts caters to all kinds of sweet cravings, whether you’re indulging in something decadent or opting for a lighter treat. While not every Trader Joe’s dessert is designed to be a healthy food, enjoying your favorites in moderation and pairing them with a balanced meal full of plenty of veggies can help fit them into your lifestyle.
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