Cozy Up With TJ's Fall Favorites

BY ELSA LEWIS '25 & SHREE JAYAKRISHNA  '25

Have you ever gone into a Trader Joe's and found yourself buying everything in sight? Trust us, you’re not alone. We have no interest in helping you quit this bad habit, so we’re here to tell you all about our latest fall finds! Get ready to fill your pantry with the most expensive pumpkin spice vibes. 

The first delectable item on our list is Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, which you can find in the frozen section. For those who prefer a more crumbly mac, you’ll be glad to hear that this isn't too cheesy. This pasta dish’s subtle butternut squash flavor also sets it apart from your average Mac ‘n’ Cheese. We love heating this Mac up as a side dish or filling meal—it’s the ideal chilly-weather dinner! Our only criticisms are that the squash flavors aren't as strong as you’d expect, and for those who have a hard time with cooking directions (like ourselves), it’s easy to undercook. We rate 8/10. 

The second product is the perfect beverage for pumpkin-picking or watching Netflix in bed on a chilly night: Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider. It’s tastefully nostalgic, tastes great warm or cold, and its cinnamon undertones bring a feeling of festivity to any fall-time gathering. It’s perfect to enjoy alongside your Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese or as a liquid to dunk your favorite pumpkin cookies in. We know the product is slightly generic and can be found in most stores, and we definitely prefer local apple cider to mass-produced grocery store stuff. As a result, we rate it a 9/10. 

It’s time to rate one of our all-time favorites: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Joe-Joe's! Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s are everything you could want in a fall cookie—while they have a great crunch, its filling holds its own, unlike other conventional sandwich cookies. They’re perfect for dunking in milk or cider but are also deliciously satisfying on their own. We are still loyalists of the classic Joe-Joe, but this item comes in a close second. With that, we officially rate it a 9.5/10.

If you sense something’s missing, you’re correct. That’s because we saved the best, most delicious item for last: pumpkin ice cream. The sweet sensation of eating this ice cream is balanced out with the flavorful blend of spices Mr. Joe added with care. You can eat this anywhere and with anything; it’s perfect for milkshakes, on top of apple crisp, with chocolate sauce, or even a few Pumpkin Joe-Joe's on the side (we promise it’s not too much pumpkin). If your main goal this fall is to experience the ultimate sweater-weather vibes, and if we stop hoarding all the pumpkin ice cream at our local Trader Joe’s, we highly recommend giving this ice cream a try. It should come as no surprise that this fall-filled ice cream is a 10/10.

When you’re ready to curl up on your couch with a warm glass of cider while munching on some Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s, Trader Joe's is the place to go. Remember, don’t get mad at us when you find yourself alone, in the kitchen, unable to stop eating these utterly irresistible Trader Joe’s fall goods. Happy snacking!