10 Trader Joe’s Spring Groceries Employees Are Most Excited About

Spring is in the air, and with the seasonal change comes a brand new slew of items at Trader Joe’s. In the latest episode of the podcast Inside Trader Joe’s released earlier this week, co-hosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan went through a mini-lineup of new and returning products hitting shelves this March. (Some have already arrived!)

What to expect? Baked goods are having a moment again, as are an orange wine and seasonal ice cream that both flew off the shelves last year. Once people catch word, these things tend to go fast (the TJ’s team ordered twice as many of those lemon mini sheet cakes this year!). So if you see something that excites you, we highly suggest you add it to your cart (or basket).

These mini sheet cakes first debuted last year and sold out within two weeks. The “very light and airy” cake, says Amy, has a sour cream base and bright lemon flavor. While the team ordered twice as many this year to (hopefully) last through May, it’s wise to grab one if and when you see it. 

These donut holes are gluten- and dairy-free and full of “chocolaty cocoa,” says Amy, a category manager of the TJ’s bakery team. They “have a great, freshly made — by that I mean fried donut — flavor,” says Matt, and “moist, chewy, indulgent texture,” adds Amy who also recommends heating them up in the air fryer. “They’re amazing.”

The “history of kringle comes to life,” says Matt with this massive pastry that’s been enjoyed in Denmark for centuries. Weighing in at 21 ounces (“so well over a pound”) the hosts could not believe their eyes — or their luck — when they learned its suggested serving is four. The cinnamon, custard, and sugar filled pastry tastes even better warm (and comes with heating instructions on the package).

This ice cream with ribbons of dulce de leche running through it doesn’t have a lot of air whipped into it, which gives it a dense and rich texture. Matt’s preferred way to eat it would be served with a shot of espresso, like a really great affogato meets a caramel macchiato. Due to limited freezer space, Trader Joe’s is constantly cycling out ice cream flavors, so run — don’t walk — if you want to get your hands on a pint.

If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s Instant Boba Kits, you’re in for a treat with this new candy. Squishy, rich dough on the outside reveals a boba pearl on the inside. It’s “all about the texture,” says Matt, which he describes as “pillowy,” “soft,” “chewy,” AND “fluffy” — or in other words, “sweet and fun to eat.” They come individually wrapped, so you can snack at your leisure.

You may have already spotted this jar on shelves and, according to Tara, it’s “better than any of the peanut sauces” Trader Joe’s has stocked in the past. It has a “thinner, more pourable consistency” than some other peanut sauces on the market, adds Matt who also thinks it would be great spooned over grilled chicken, grilled tofu, or grilled fish, and tossed into noodles. It’s also vegan!

Sometimes squeezing a bunch of lemons just feels like too much. In those exact moments a bottle of the already-juiced stuff comes in extra handy. This one lists one ingredient — organic lemon juice — from freshly pressed Sicilian lemons (which have a “very particular flavor profile,” says Tara). They should also be arriving in stores right about now, so happy shortcutting to all of us.

This skin-contact wine was in such short supply last year it was only available in California. TJ’s is bringing the bottles to select retailers across the country. The orange-hued wine gets its coloring from longer contact with the skins of grapes (hence the nickname). It’s full bodied and pairs well with a wide variety of foods, according to Matt, and will be joined by two new additions to The Puppet lineup: an Orange Wine and a Chillable Red.

Trader Joe’s is hopping on the natural deodorant bandwagon. Made from coconut oil, this unscented deodorant is paraben-, aluminum-, and baking soda-free, and comes in a paper-based cylinder package, which is a “significant reduction in plastic from most deodorant containers,” says Tara. And at $4.99, it’s way cheaper — in some cases more than 50% — than many other natural deodorants.

Which of these spring items are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments below!