Trader Joe's Reveals Genius Dessert Hacks to Try Using Their Products
Courtesy Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's just made baking up dessert even easier.
The grocery store chain's latest podcast episode was titled "Hackathon," detailing creative tips and tricks for making the most of Trader Joe's products. Hosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan sifted through several ideas from crew members around the country.
The creative ideas they showcased are anything but ordinary. Standouts included how to use craft supplies to make a refreshing frozen yogurt treat and what sweet dessert pairs well with a sprinkle of the grocer's chili lime seasoning. Unexpected was the name of the game on the latest episode of the podcast — and that's what makes these hacks worth trying.
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Courtesy Trader Joe's
1. Frozen Yogurt Pops
Sloan called this hack "put a stick in it and freeze it." This original crew member idea is as simple as it gets. Take a six-pack of Trader Joe's yogurt and place a craft stick in each cup. Freeze them overnight and just like that, you have a semi-homemade frozen yogurt popsicle.
Trader Joe's
2. Easy Brookies
Who doesn't love a good dessert mashup? This brownie-cookie combines two of Trader Joe's popular baking items: the brownie truffle baking mix and chunky chocolate chip cookie dough. Sloan's trick involves putting pieces of the cookie dough at the bottom of a 9-x 9-inch pan and pouring the brownie batter on top. The baking process is no different than that of regular brownies — simply check the brookies for doneness with a wooden skewer.
Courtesy Trader Joe's
3. Chili Lime Ice Cream Topping
This crew member-approved trick is definitely for the adventurous palate. Sprinkling Trader Joe's chili lime seasoning on top of vanilla ice cream provides a spicy-sweet flavor profile.
Courtesy Trader Joe's
4. Frozen Chocolate Hummus
A typical alternative to ice cream is frozen yogurt — but what about hummus instead? Miller highlighted a trick that involves freezing the grocery store chain's popular chocolate hummus. Simply spoon it out once frozen like any other tub of frozen goodness.
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Courtesy Trader Joe's
5. Vanilla Brownies
This hack leaves out one ingredient, making boxed cake mix somehow even easier to put together. "You prepare it according to the package instructions, except you omit the milk," Miller says in the podcast. By removing the extra moist ingredient, the product tastes like a "vanilla brownie."
Courtesy Trader Joe's
6. Coffee-Flavored Treats
Calling all coffee lovers. The podcast hosts suggested sprinkling Trader Joe's instant coffee in select desserts to boost flavor. Whether you're baking up chocolate chip cookies or using a chocolate cake mix, add instant coffee granules to your dough or batter alike to achieve the ultimate dessert.
Courtesy Trader Joe's
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7. Peanut Butter Storage
To fridge or not to fridge? In the episode, Sloan settled the long-held debate of how to store peanut butter. When you first snag a tub from Trader Joe's, he suggests storing it upside down in your pantry. When you're about to use it, place it upside down in the refrigerator. The logic behind this method? He said the oil that has risen to the top will be on the bottom now. "So when you flip it, it's much easier, much less messy to stir the oil back in," he said. Whether you're whipping up some peanut butter cookies or homemade peanut butter cups, this hack can make your baking process even easier.
