We tried Trader Joe’s new sugar cookies to see if they’re actually better than the rest

Bridget Sharkey

Nothing gets my mouth watering quite like the prospect of a delicious new offering on the Trader Joe’s shelves. After all, these are the people who brought us Cookie Butter, Chocolate Chip Panettone and Pumpkin Cheesecake. In other words, when it comes to items that are bound to make your sweet tooth sing, TJ’s knows their stuff.

Hence, when I came across the new Trader Joe’s Frosted Sugar Cookies at my local store, I zeroed in on them right away. There were just two boxes left, and I briefly considered taking both, but I decided to pay it forward and just bought one. (Don’t worry. I made up for it by getting a box of TJ’s Half Moon Cookies as well.)

I was doubly excited by the Trader Joe’s Frosted Sugar Cookies because I’d had heard tell that, despite appearances, these new cookies were much preferable to those other, similar-looking supermarket sugar cookies. This is because they’re made without partially hydrogenated oils or artificial flavors and colors. Yep. Even the sprinkles on top are colored using fruit and vegetable extracts rather than artificial dyes. They are also certified Kosher.

The cookie ingredients are simple (flour, sugar, margarine, eggs and butter) but wholesome, and the frosting is creamy and light. Trader Joe’s claims the texture is almost cloud-like. So what was my verdict? Are TJ’s sugar cookies as good as those other supermarket sugar cookies (such as the ubiquitous Lofthouse brand, which IS made with some iffy ingredients like dyes and transfats)?

I say yes! They’re even better, actually, because they’re made with real butter and cream, and the texture is light, fluffy and, yes, cloud-like, just as TJ’s promises. Plus, when I let my kids have one, I don’t have to feel guilty that they’re eating Franken-food made with all kinds of artificial who-knows-what.

Bridget Sharkey

You can purchase a 13.5-ounce container of Trader Joe’s Frosted Sugar Cookies (10 cookies) for $2.99. Or, if you don’t live near a TJ’s (I feel for you!), consider making a healthy version of the Lofthouse Sugar Cookies at home. This recipe from Center Cut Cook is simple and delicious.

If you want to make a colorful batch of sugar cookies, but you want to avoid using ANY dyes and artificial flavors, grab a box of plant-based food coloring from Amazon. This option from ColorKitchen uses all-natural colors like spirulina and sweet potato extracts, just like the TJ’s sugar cookies.

Amazon

Pretty cookies that taste delicious and don’t have any weird chemicals? Win-win!

[h/t: Spoon University]

Food
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About the Author
Bridget Sharkey
Bridget Sharkey is a freelance writer covering pop culture, beauty, food, health and nature.

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