Staff roundup: Autumnal items we’re loving at Trader Joe’s

Though visions of sugarplums may be dancing in your head, fall is still here. So before everything’s awash in a winter wonderland, our team wanted to take a moment to shout out our favorite fall-focused items at Trader Joe’s.

Soon, pumpkin-flavored treats at the specialty grocery chain will be phased out to make room for peppermint ones, so take this roundup as a last-minute shopping guide for that final taste of autumn.

Here are a few items we’ve added to cart all season at TJ’s. Have a favorite fall item from Trader Joe’s? Tell us by emailing [email protected].

Apple Cider Donuts

“Trust me, I love pumpkin-flavored things just as much as the next fall-obsessed person, but there’s something about apple and cinnamon that really puts me in the seasonal spirit. These doughnuts might not be as good as getting a hot, fresh one from the apple orchard, but for a store-bought treat, they’re top notch. Give me one of these and a cup of hot cider or tea, and I’ll have a quintessential fall morning. Now I need to go snag a box of these cinnamon sugar-dusted beauties before they’re gone!”

—Olivia Deffes, 225 managing editor

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

“Every fall, I anxiously await the return of Trader Joe’s frozen Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese dish the same way many people await the return of pumpkin spice drinks at their favorite coffee shop. This frozen meal melds the taste of two hearty foods that I appreciate on their own, but are even better together. It’s rich, slightly sweet and super cheesy, plus it heats up quickly to serve as a perfect lazy dinner solution.”

—Catherine Clement, 225 digital staff writer

Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake

“This year, during my fall Trader Joe’s run, I picked up the Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake, a seasonal twist on the store’s already popular sheet cake. I find myself grabbing these for small get-togethers or celebrations, so when I spotted this, I knew I needed to try it. With nothing to celebrate, I bought it anyway, drawn in by the cream cheese frosting. By the end of the week, the small dent in the cake I had made from my original taste had turned into an empty container on my kitchen counter. Safe to say, this sheet cake would be the perfect addition to any Friendsgiving, fall get-together or, if you’re like me, a random weeknight craving.”

—Charlotte Trentalange, 225 contributing writer

Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer and Salted Maple Cold Foam

“I love Trader Joe’s so much. The Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer and the Salted Maple Cold Foam make my morning every single time. I’m not a big pumpkin spice person, but the maple cold foam still gives me the fall vibes. It’s the best.”

—Ava Duplechain, 225 contributing photographer