From Mini Gingerbread People to egg nog, Trader Joe’s winter holiday snacks are back. Some of these festive treats are instant winners, while others miss the mark. Here is a look into what’s worth trying and what’s an immediate pass.
Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s Ice Cream: 8/10
The Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s ice cream is a light mix of peppermint, cookies, and cream. The combination tasted as expected on the packaging, a peppermint and vanilla swirl with fudge. The cookies and cream fudge overpowered the sweet peppermint, resulting in a heavy flavor. Still, this chilly treat is the perfect winter binge.
Sugared Rice Cracker Stars: 4/10
There is nothing special about the Sugared Rice Cracker Stars. They are just plain rice crackers dusted in sugar. Though adorable, the star-shaped treats were inconsistent: some were salty, while others tasted sugary.
Mini Gingerbread People: 10/10
These vanilla fudge-dipped gingerbread people exceeded all expectations. The crunchy cookie had a robust ginger flavor, and the vanilla fudge icing added a balancing sweetness.
Egg Nog: 2/10
Don’t be fooled by the cute packaging, you’ll want to return this Egg Nog once you smell it. The eggnog has a strong, artificial vanilla smell, and the texture is like a thick yogurt drink. Not even The Mini Gingerbread People could make this drink tasty.
Jingle Jangle Pretzel Twists: 7/10
This treat is a peanut butter-coated pretzel with chocolate wafer crumbs and dark chocolate candies. The biggest letdown of these pretzels was the size—they were the size of my palm. Grabbing a handful of a smaller pretzel would be more convenient than eating one at a time. These large pretzels, though, are a great mix of sweet and salty.
Something Spritzy: 9/10
This soda was an unexpected gem. If you like bitter beverages, this sparkling drink with orange, grapefruit, and cranberry juices will be a great addition to any holiday get-together. You can distinguish each flavor clearly, making it a nice blend with none overpowering the others.
Peppermint Cremes: 5/10
The Peppermint Cremes have a thick, sticky mint goo inside of them, making them like a knockoff of a York Peppermint Pattie. The dark chocolate coating is topped with a crushed peppermint that adds a nice crunch. However, the minty goo was overly thick and easily sticks to teeth.
