Is it perfect pumpkin?: A review of Trader Joe’s new seasonal items

It’s 90° outside, and the only chill in the air is the one my AC is blowing out. No matter how we feel about it, it’s fall y’all! I headed to everyone’s favorite seasonal grocery store to see what the pumpkin situation was looking like, and here are my thoughts. 

Starting with returning contender, these Teeny Tiny Pretzels are my favorite grab no matter the season. Fall’s pumpkin spice contribution is my definition of perfect pumpkin. Obviously sweetened for the sake of dessert, these pretzels provide a trifecta of pumpkin, sweet and spice! Run, don’t walk. They’ll be gone before you know it.

Up next, a pumpkin spice Joe Joe. These kinds of cookies can be found year round uncoated, but seasonal flavors come with coating (remember summer’s ube?) — as far as perfect pumpkin goes, these were a miss for me just because they were on the sweet side. Still a yummy cookie.

Oh pumpkin seeds, you were good — but i needed you to be great. My least favorite thing about fall is a pumpkin spice misnomer. If these seeds had more cinnamon or a clove, they’d be perfect. My plans for them are a topping for a oatmeal yogurt bowl with my next pickup (pumpkin yogurt).

These I wanted to love but there was more purée then oats. The ratio was off so it was a little soggier than I’d like, but the flavor was there. I topped with the pumpkin seeds for crunch and that helped.

This is the best addition to the fabulous TJ’s brioche family — you need this, it’s perfect. For the best french toast, toast the bread before dipping.

These were on demo at my local store and I loved them. They reminded me a lot of the frosted animal crackers, but with a lovely pumpkin twist!

Now these, run don’t walk. Pumpkin Ginger Hold the Cones are a masterpiece. The cone is spiced, the ginger really comes through, and the white chocolate at the bottom rounds it off nicely. These treats are the perfect dessert, and I’ll surely be grabbing another box before the season is over.