As the season of fall begins, flavors such as apple, maple, butternut squash, and pumpkin spice start emerging in various foods all across different grocery stores. While it can be difficult to find foods that fit your preference, Trader Joe’s has a wide variety of some of the best treats suitable for anyone this time of year.
Similar to other stores, Trader Joe’s creates limited items only available at certain times of the year. The items featured below are some of the best seasonal options that Trader Joe’s is offering this autumn.
Apple Cider Donuts
Fully stocked at any local Trader Joe’s, the Apple Cider Donuts are quickly becoming a must-have item this season, retaining the popularity they have held in the past.
The Trader Joe’s located on 82nd Street in Clackamas, only a brief five-minute drive from La Salle, has an entire stand devoted to these baked goods.
These desserts are essentially cake donuts coated in cinnamon sugar and infused with apple cider. Although the apple cider flavor is very light, it adds a nice, subtle touch of fall spirit.
The set comes with a total of six donuts, an ideal size for the whole family to share. The donuts are best when eaten at room temperature soon after purchase, since that is when they are the most fresh.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
This wonderfully creamy and spice-filled meal is the perfect size for a solo lunchtime or dinner meal. It is conveniently prepared so it can be frozen until ready to be served.
The Mac & Cheese is made up of a mezzi rigatoni pasta with a cheese sauce that highlights the prominent notes of butternut squash puréed into it, blending out the two flavors on top of the pasta.
While those who do not enjoy the taste of butternut squash may not like this dish as much as those who do, everyone should be sure to give it a try. The richness the butternut squash provides mixed with the creamy Mac & Cheese makes for a very tasty meal that is sure to surprise those typically not all-for the butternut squash flavor.
This meal is definitely one of Trader Joe’s best offered items this season in terms of flavor. Everything is equally balanced out and perfected so even those who do not usually prefer butternut squash might find themselves enjoying it.
Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows
As part of the seasonal marshmallow cycle at Trader Joe’s, these mini marshmallows are a sweet delicacy offered exclusively during the fall months.
The flavor of the marshmallows is what one would expect — they taste like maple syrup in the shape of a marshmallow.
As a replacement for maple syrup, these marshmallows make a delicious pairing with pancakes or waffles as a fun, fluffy topping. This can be a great way to spice up your breakfast this fall.
This flavor may not be everyone’s preference, but they definitely capture the maple aspect very well. If you are looking for something different to try out, these might just be for you.
Maple Spiced Nut Mix
While on the pricier side, this nut mix will not disappoint. Consisting of both almond and pecan nuts with the addition of pepitas and cranberries, this mix proves to be a very flavorful sensation.
The maple flavor is not overpowering; instead, it is very faint and gives the mix an interesting sweetness that pairs well with the saltiness of the nuts. In addition, the mix features a rosemary glaze that coats the nuts, adding to the wide variety of fall flavors showcased here.
While this mix may not be for everyone, those who do enjoy it will find themselves reaching for it at any given time — it is just that addictive. They are also a great addition to any holiday parties you may be hosting in the future that would shine with the addition of a crunchy, unique autumn morsel.
Spiced Apple Cider
This slight twist on the classic fall drink is a perfect way to put yourself into the spirit of the season. If you ever went to a pumpkin patch as a kid, this drink is sure to bring back those fond autumn memories.
The flavor itself is most easily compared to apple sauce, as the two taste almost identical. It also has strong notes of various spices — specifically cinnamon — that a typical apple cider lacks.
While apple cider is available at other local stores, Trader Joe’s provides it for a reasonable price for a large quantity. When purchasing some of the other items listed above, you may consider giving this a try as a pairing beverage.
Fall Zucchette Pasta
The Zucchette Pasta sold at Trader Joe’s has been around for quite some time, but is only recently getting the attention it deserves across the internet. For a low price, this pasta is the perfect dinner option, and it proves to be quick and easy to make.
Shaped and colored like pumpkins, this pasta possesses the basic taste of most typical pastas. Although lacking much additional flavor, it does contain some earthy notes that can be traced back to one of the primary ingredients, butternut squash. However, something to note is that the flavor of the butternut squash in this pasta is not as prominent as it is in the Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese.
The pasta holds its shape pretty well during the cooking process, but it is recommended you handle them with care when making them to avoid any potential shape breakage. The package makes a reasonably-sized serving and can easily be shared with others or simply eaten alone while enjoying a Halloween film or carving pumpkins.
Pumpkin Loaf
For the final item, we head to the fall classic, Pumpkin Loaf. Possessing a cake-like texture, this baked good is a great balance of sweet and spice.
The spice in this bread is not overwhelming in any way — it really just enhances the pumpkin flavor. The loaf is also topped off with a sprinkle of sugar and various spices as well, including things like cinnamon and clove, which really brings it all together.
This loaf is best when eaten within the first few days of purchase. It is the perfect treat to eat in the mornings as a replacement for your typical coffee cake in order to switch things up a bit in the spirit of October, and a great option when time is of the essence and something fast and easy is needed for breakfast when starting your day.
Concluding Thoughts
Based on the selection seen at Trader Joe’s this season, I have come to the conclusion that they have successfully prepared for this year’s fall months. Although not included on this review, Trader Joe’s has many more options, including all your favorite flavors this season that you should definitely look into as well. This list however, focuses on variety in order to capture some of the best treats for each type of flavor. I strongly recommend them to anyone, especially if you are looking to try something new this October!
