It is undeniable that many students enjoy Trader Joe’s (TJs) endlessly unique array of food, from little snacks to freezable dinners. The convenience of TJs only being a four-minute drive from Redwood strengthens the bond between accessible food and students. As fall arrives in full force, TJs has released its fall-themed items, so come along to find out which item is the best out of a select few by comparing taste and price.
Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake

With a mix of various comforting spices, this cake is the perfect representation of the feeling of fall. The blend of cinnamon and pumpkin spice offers a comforting flavor without being overpowering. The moist and airy texture is layered with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting, bringing the perfect sweet-to-salty ratio. The cake costs a total of $5.49, which is completely worth it. This item takes the “cake” in first place.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

To be honest, I had higher expectations for this item. The taste of butternut squash is underwhelming alongside an insufficient amount of cheese, making the dish feel like it lacks an important flavor. That being said, the spices come together to create a delicious fall taste, still providing a convenient dinner made in 24 minutes. The pasta is $3.79 and is still a good option for an autumn inspired dinner. This item comes in fourth place.
Pumpkin Spiced Pretzels

I was surprised by how much I liked these. The pretzels are the perfect bite size and have just the right amount of crunch. The pumpkin yogurt coating is creamy and is topped with pumpkin spiced themed sweets. The pretzels contain the perfect amount of sweetness, and are also great for an on-the-go snack. This item costs $3.79 and comes in second place.
Pumpkin Blondie Brownies

Although these brownies are delicious, they taste like pumpkin bread with a little white chocolate drizzle on top. Unfortunately, they lack a brownie consistency and the classic pumpkin flavor. These brownies cost $5, which is too expensive for what they are. These place last because of their lack of consistency and the flavor not representing the fall.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
This cream cheese spread has the perfect amount of pumpkin spice along with an excellent whipped consistency, making it a great addition to any bagel or bread. However, there was a slight tangy element that was too strong for me and took over the pumpkin spice taste. I would buy this again because it tastes so much like fall and costs only $3. This spread comes in at third place.
Overall, these fall-spiced items are filled with the comfort and joy that are only available during the autumn season. These treats span from sweet to savory, leaving something for everyone. If I could suggest one item, it would be the Pumpkin Sheet Cake, as it has so much flavor and is the epitome of fall. Everyone should trek to TJs and enjoy these seasonal treats this fall.