It's time for Trader Joe's holiday treats! Here are our picks for 2025's best.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Trader Joe’s definitely knows how to lean into the season. It was but a few weeks ago that I was checking out at the register and the clerk excitedly whispered, “The holiday shipment is going to get here this week!”
That was all I needed to hear to put a pep in my step that day. I always love trying new drops at TJ’s, and the grocery retailer really pulls out all the merry stops during December. Add in the fact that a lot of the items are limited edition and sell out quickly, and it practically gamifies your grocery shopping experience. Chore no more!
I always pick up new things for us to try at home, and I also grab a hefty bag full of items to give out as yummy hostess gifts and thank-you presents, and to fill out my DIY gift baskets. To help you decide what to snag, keep reading, because I’m sharing my favorite picks of the season, backed up by avid Trader Joe’s fans.
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Which Trader Joe’s holiday foods should be on your must-buy list?
From light-as-air dessert bites to a delicious sweet-meets-savory spread that makes the perfect party food, here are my favorite picks of the 2025 Trader Joe’s seasonal holiday drop. According to TJ’s website, the only way you’ll know if these treats are available at your local store is to pop in and see for yourself!
Cranberry Orange Dip
This new item was brought to TJ’s lineup precisely to make holiday hosting easy. And in my opinion, this cream cheese spread is one of the best they’ve come up with yet. It’s creamy, sweet, tangy and tart—and it pairs with everything from fruit to crackers to bagels to pancakes.
TJ’s writes on its website, “On our shelves just for the holiday entertaining season, our Cranberry Orange Dip begins with a creamy, dairy trifecta—cream cheese, ricotta cheese and sour cream—that’s whipped to a fluffy-cloud consistency.”
Add tart cranberries and sweet orange puree, and you’re in for a serious treat. I recently brought this one to a party and paired it with Trader Joe’s Cranberry Raisin Toasts. At just $4.99 for 7.5 ounces, Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Dip really made for an elevated addition to the potluck table.
Mini Peppermint Meringues
Naturally, peppermint is a favorite flavor during the holiday season. TJ’s has quite a few peppermint-flavored treats, and these light-as-air mini peppermint meringues are my favorite. These low-calorie treats (only 80 calories for the whole shebang of 11 pieces per serving) are packed with so much flavor.
I snack on them as-is, but they’re also a delicious addition to mugs filled with hot cocoa or coffee. Trader Joe’s suggests adding them to a dessert board, which is a super cute idea. (The lightness really complements all the heavy, sugary treats of the season.) These are a recurring item at Trader Joe’s during the holidays, but they’re only available while supplies last—which won’t be long.
You get an entire box of about 40 for just $2.99, which is a steal.
Chocolate Covered Lebkuchen Cookies
One of my favorite things about Trader Joe’s is that it introduces me to foods from around the world, so I had to add some traditional Lebkuchen cookies from Germany to my shopping bag this season. These are dense (but still a little fluffy) wafer cookies flavored like spiced gingerbread. Also, there’s apparently a 12.5% minimum of nuts in each cookie, which adds a nice bit of texture.
I’m not a German cookie expert, but I can tell you these are strangely addictive. And I can offer some insight from someone who’s had German Lebkuchen cookies before. Says Reddit user DeborahLibrarian393: “They taste exactly like Lebkuchen cookies from Germany, which is exactly what they are.”
Gingerbread Cookie Mug Hangers
This seasonal item wins for being the cutest treat at Trader Joe’s this season. A wee-sized smiling gingerbread man? That perches at the tippy top of your coffee, tea or hot cocoa mug? Say no more. I couldn’t purchase these gingerbread-cookie mug hangers fast enough, and we’ve already repurchased them in our house because they’re so tasty.
Note that the cookie is quite crunchy, and others on Instagram and Reddit mention this in their reviews too. However, that’s because they’re meant for hanging out in liquid. It does break down nicely once dipped, making for the perfect midday treat or festive evening nightcap. You can also serve them with eggnog or holiday drinks for extra merriment. Plus, you get 12 for only $2.99.
Trader Joe’s writes, “Given our proliferation of festive holiday beverages and tasty cookies, we appreciate any opportunity to dunk said cookies into said beverages.” Cheers to that!
What other winter treats should you snag?
It’s hard to go wrong with anything that catches your eye at Trader Joe’s during the holidays. I honestly had a hard time narrowing down my top four picks, but if I had room to add juuust a handful more, these would be my additional must-try holiday yummies at TJ’s.
- Tart Cherry Pecan Shortbread Cookies: This brand-new item from TJ’s this year is a must-try, especially if you’re already a fan of shortbread. The cookies have bits of slightly crunchy tart cherries and pecans inside. I love having one or two with an afternoon tea.
- Jingle Jangle: The Jingle Jangle snack mix is a holiday crowd pleaser, filled with a plethora of chocolate-coated things that make it feel like a surprise with every handful. The large tin is great for gifting or get-togethers, and the smaller Jingly Jangly bags are perfect if you want a smaller serving.
- Peppermint Brookie: Calling all peppermint lovers! This brand-new TJ’s cookie does not skimp on the minty goodness. Given the success of the other brookies (that’d be brownie cookies) that consistently fly off shelves, you know you’re in for a real holiday treat with this one.
- Danish Gingerbread Snaps: Here’s another seasonal Trader Joe’s find that comes from another land! These Gingerbread Snaps live up to their name with their crunchy texture and rich, spiced flavor. The tin is gorgeous, making it a perfect hostess gift or addition to a gift bag.
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Sources:
- Trader Joe’s: “Products”
- Reddit: “Lebkuchen Cookies… is it good?”
