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Lifestyle

9 Trader Joe’s Frozen Treats to Try This Summer

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Texas chapter.

Now that it’s summer, you’ll be craving delicious frozen treats to keep you cool. You could go at it alone, strolling down the aisles of Trader Joe’s completely baffled by all the options. Or, you could skip the hassle and read this quick guide to the best of Trader Joe’s frozen treats.

Trader Joe’s is an endless sea of funky, bizarre treats. Some of them oh-so-good, some of them not quite worthy of the Trader Joe’s name. So, I’ve combed through all the reviews, lists, and Trader Joe’s aisles to find you the very best.  

1. Gone Berry Crazy

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year for one very special reason—chocolate covered strawberries. These little treats are utterly juicy and delicious, and they sure beat self-dipping some strawberries and waiting hours for a chocolate shell. 

If you want to take things up a notch I recommend pairing these strawberries with TJ’s Chocolate Lava Cakes. The duo will be so good you’ll be back buying more before you know it.

2. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches are the apple pie of ice cream treats. It’s almost un-American to not crave these come summertime. I mean, how could anything with the word “sublime” in its title be bad? 

Trader Joe’s promises that they’ve gotten the perfect chewy-to-crunchy cookie right and that the ice cream will speak for itself. Add on some mini chocolate chips, and you’re golden.

3. Cookie Butter Ice Cream

This one speaks for itself. It’s everyone’s very favorite Trader Joe’s treat (Speculoos Cookie Butter) in ice cream form. It’s literally the brain child of two of the most delicious foods on this planet. The same way you’ll be spooning butter straight out of the Cookie Butter jar, you’ll be scooping this straight out of the pint.

As for add ons, if you feel as if you haven’t had enough sugary goodness, buy a jar of Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter and spoon it on as a topping.

4. Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie

In case you were still craving some cookies after the ice cream sandwiches and the cookie butter, this one will definitely fill your craving. A head-sized deep dish cookie is every little kid’s (and every adult’s) dream. 

Since it’s basically a prerequisite to make it à la mode, add on a bit of Trader Joe’s French Vanilla Ice Cream and you’re good to go.

5. French Macarons

This one’s for you fancy folk. In case you missed the memo, Trader Joe’s also sells fancy frozen French macarons (excuse the tongue twister). They come in six flavors: Apricot, Coconut, Fig, Salted Caramel, Lemon, and Pistachio. 

If you’re still not sold, normally one macaron goes for about $4, but here you’ll be getting a dozen for around $5 (depending on where you’re located). 

6. Salted Caramel Gelato

While almost everyone knows about Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Ice Cream, few know of the hidden gem that is their Salted Caramel Gelato. This one is so good that it’s been around since 2014 and hasn’t left the freezer section since.

7. Cold Brew Latte Dessert Bars

This one is perfect for a grab-and-go in the morning. You get your daily caffeine dose and you don’t even have to worry about spilling it. At least that’s what I keep telling myself…

8. Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches

In case you’re still craving some caffeine after those cold brew bars, check out these Brownie Crisp Ice Cream Sandwiches. A twist on the typical, it combines two crowd favorites into one compact, easy to hold snack.

9. Ice Cream Bon Bons

This was my very first introduction into the Trader Joe’s world of frozen treats, and WOW, does it set a precedence. They’re perfectly bite-sized and there’s enough of them to share with some friends. Not only is it a scoop of ice cream with a chocolate shell, there’s also a delightfully brownie/cookie bottom that just melts in your mouth.

If you’re feeling something fruitier though, try out the Mango Sorbet Bon Bons. Same delicious chocolate shell, but a bit more of a refreshing twist. 

*Bonus*

According to Trader Joe’s insider, they recently released a Girl Scout cookie look-alike called Dark Chocolate Mint Coins. While these aren’t *technically* frozen treats, they’ll definitely be delicious chilled or thrown on top of ice cream. Maybe as a topping on some French vanilla ice cream?

The makers at Trader Joe’s sure know their ice cream, and they’re pros when it comes to creating unorthodox combinations. Now, head to the nearest Trader Joe’s and try these out for yourself.

Rachel Luo

Texas '21