5 Little Luxuries (for $5 or Less) to Pick Up at Trader Joe’s for Valentine’s Day

After the stress of the winter holidays, Valentine’s Day should be all about ease. Whether you’re looking for a savory first bite, last-minute menu for two, or an extra-festive (and cheesy!) heart-shaped pizza the whole group can get in on, we’re happy to help simplify the process. 

If spending minimal dollars and even less time prepping is more to you and your loved ones’ liking, we’ve found plenty of sweet, little luxuries at one of the most beloved grocers: Trader Joe’s. Once again, the retailer has packed its shelves with Valentine’s Day-worthy treats, including flaky pastries, fruity sweets, and chocolatey sips to kick off and end the day. The best part? Everything on the list is under $5!

Few things are more romantic than breakfast in bread, and a freshly baked chocolate croissant really puts the romance over the edge. Warm and golden with a buttery, flaky pastry and a rich dark chocolate filling, these rival the best Paris has to offer. But we can find them a lot closer to home — like in the freezer case at your local TJ’s! Just remember to leave them out overnight before you bake them.

Another frozen find! These heart-shaped macarons are light-as-air with a sweet duo of chewy fruit fillings: vanilla crème with strawberry and raspberry crème. The best part is you can eat them straight out of the freezer.

After spotting these heart melts on social media, we were pumped to get our hands on them. We finally did and, spoiler, they did not disappoint! The creamy caramel and cocoa center is enrobed in dark chocolate and marshmallows, so all you need to do is stir three of these melts into a mug of hot milk for a warm, chocolatey nightcap. Stir in coffee to give them more of a mocha twist (a splash of Irish cream or coffee liquor doesn’t hurt, either).

Think outside of the heart-shaped bite (or box of chocolates) with these extra-chocolatey treats. Sticky-sweet dried figs are first filled with a creamy dark chocolate ganache and then covered in a blushing ruby chocolate coating. This seasonal item is one we wouldn’t want to miss!

These adorable mini mousse cakes feel just as fancy as the petit fours you’d find at a pricey patisserie. The raspberry-shaped vanilla cakes are topped with a layer of raspberry-flavored mousse and covered in frosting (pink and green, to match the theme of course!). If you’re feeling fancy, we suggest pairing these three-bite cakes with a glass of your favorite budget-friendly bubbly. 

What last-minute Valentine’s Day treats are you picking up at Trader Joe’s? Tell us in the comments below.