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What’s New at Trader Joe’s in December? Beef Bulgogi, Peppermint Baking Chips and More

We see a charcuterie board in your future

what's new at trader joe's december 2023: peppermint baking chips surrounded by chocolate peppermint cookies
Trader Joe's

It's officially the most wonderful time of the year at Trader Joe's. Our grocery store boo is stocking his shelves (and checking them twice) with crowd-pleasing appetizers, heat-and-eat mains, clever snacks and festive desserts you'll want to enjoy all season long. Here, you'll find 12 of our favorites to shop this December, from seasonal chocolates to baking essentials.

We Tried 12 Random Trader Joe’s Products to Find Out Which Were Actually Worth the Buy


1. Something Spritzy

Whether you add booze or make it a mocktail, this canned bev is just right for holiday parties, casual dinners and nightcaps alike. Savor grapefruit, cranberry and orange juices, buoyed by teeny-tiny bubbles that make the drink twice as refreshing.

2. Cranberry Butter Cookies

Pile these buttery, crumbly treats into a festive tin and serve them at the cookie swap—your guests won't suspect a thing (and we won't tell). Dried cranberries pack a sweet-tart punch into every bite, while a hint of cinnamon makes them taste—and smell—decidedly cozy.

3. Peppermint-Flavored Baking Chips

Baking a batch of uber-fudgy brownies? Whipping up cookies for Santa? Scouring the cupboard for a late-night treat? These creamy baking chips will come in handy. The sweet milk chips are finished with red glitter that gets its vibrant color from vegetable juice.

4. Dark Chocolate Rondos Sprinkled with Raspberry, Strawberry & Tart Cherry

Crafted by a Slovakian chocolatier, these indulgent discs are studded with bits of dried cherries, raspberries and strawberries for a mouth-puckering flavor contrast. If you prefer your chocolate straight-up sweet, go for the Milk Chocolate Rondos with Caramelized Pecan Crunch instead.

5. Hardwood Smoked Pulled Pork

A low-lift, high-protein dinner in 20 minutes? Don't mind if we do. Even better, the pork—seasoned with maple syrup, light brown sugar, molasses and coffee and smoked on a rotisserie—can be heated in three minutes if you use the microwave instead of the oven. Prefer poultry? Opt for the Hardwood Smoked Pulled Chicken instead.

6. Vegan Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative

Call it a Christmas miracle, folks. This ingenious substitute is concocted from a mix of vegetable oil, sugar, lentil protein and starch to create an uncanny, dairy-free masterpiece. Whip it to top lattes and desserts, or add it to soups and sauces for richness.

7. Dolce Creamy Gorgonzola Style Cheese

Is it even the holiday season if you don't treat your relatives (or yourself) to an epic charcuterie spread? Make space on the board for this robust, earthy cheese, complete with signature blue veins and a sweet, delicate finish. Might we suggest using the leftovers (if there are any) for a decadent pasta sauce?

8. Beef Bulgogi

Steam a pot of rice, sauté some broccoli and heat this marinated meat on the stove or in the microwave—your cheater's Korean barbecue is ready to devour. (P.S.: TJ's also has prepared japchae, tteok bok ki and kimchi in store...)

9. Taste Test of Caramels

Nosh your way through a dozen dark chocolate-covered caramels in an array of flavors. Returning varieties include double espresso, fig & honey, hot chili and maple, accompanied by new types like caramel mousse, salted torte, gingerbread, pear & cinnamon, sea salt, passion fruit, crème brûlée and salted lavender.

10. Italian Tiramisu

Ladyfinger biscuits soaked in coffee and Marsala wine, sweet mascarpone, cocoa powder—any questions? This Italian delight comes frozen, so all you need to do to prepare it for serving is keep it in the fridge overnight to thaw. Wash it down with a doppio espresso, if you feel so inclined.

11. Single Origin Milk Chocolate Batons

Much like coffee, single-origin chocolate means the cocoa used to make it comes from one country instead of a blend from many. This concentrates the flavor notes of the chocolate, so you'll be able to better taste the differences between these Venezuelan, Vietnamese and Peruvian bars.

12. Astouding Multi-Flavor Mini Pretzels

This quartet of seasonal pretzels just might outshine your mom's famous sugar cookies (no offense to her). Varieties include coffee candy topped with dark chocolate drizzle, peanut butter candy topped with crumbled Joe-Joe's and chocolate gems, dark chocolate with peppermint candy and milk chocolate with rainbow nonpareils.


taryn pire
Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...
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