We Tried Trader Joe’s Cheese-less Cheesecakes

You know that saying, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should?" That's how I feel about Trader Joe's Cheese-less Cheesecakes. Now available in the freezer section ($3.99 for a pack of two), my hopes were high for this dairy-free dessert. If anyone could pull off a cheesecake with a rich mouthfeel, while still…

ByMichelleAugust 10, 20201Comment

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Nut Butter Bar Mix

I usually try to follow the directions the first time I make something. But I threw that out the window with Trader Joe's No Bake Nut Butter Bar Mix ($3.49 per box). It's already a Choose Your Own Adventure where you can pick your favorite nut butter and either maple syrup or honey as…

ByMichelleAugust 3, 20200Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chocolate Peppermint Loaf

Trader Joe’s Chocolate Peppermint Loaf and Baking Mix ($2.99 per box) is as good as you’re hoping it is. I baked it up in three mini loaves over the weekend and topped it with some candy cane shards from the bottom of the Peppermint Bark bag.

ByMichelleNovember 25, 20190Comments

Product Review Recipes

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chocolate Lava Gnocchi

Plus, 5 Ways to Serve Them I first heard about Trader Joe's Chocolate Lava Gnocchi a few months ago on their Inside Trader Joe's podcast. It wasn't clear if this dessert version would be ricotta or potato based, but now we have our answer. These little gnocchi are made with potato ($2.99 for a 12…

ByMichelleNovember 15, 20190Comments

Dessert Recipes

5 Delicious Summer Berry Desserts

In the Pacific Northwest we're blessed with a summer berry season that'll last into early September. This weekend, I made my first round of tayberry and raspberry jam and I made a simple, gorgeous raspberry crostata that's perfect for two. Pie has never been my forte, but a rustic galette or crostata is right…

ByMichelleJuly 9, 20190Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Mochi Cake Mix

A few weeks ago, Trader Joe's promised it'd be rolling out a gluten-free Mochi Cake Mix as part of its new Spring and Summer products. It's in stores now for $3.99 and we tried it. What Trader Joe's didn't say in the initial announcement was that it would be "Hawaiian inspired," flavored with coconut milk powder. A…

ByMichelleApril 26, 20195Comments

Baking Book Reviews

Simple Cake by Odette Williams |Cookbook Spotlight

Review Copy Provided by the Publisher Odette Williams' Simple Cake Lives Up to its Moniker Deliciously Inspired by childhood memories and a classic Aussie cookbook, SIMPLE CAKE by Odette Williams delivers 10 cakes, 15 toppings and 30 cakeworthy moments. It's a delightful book that will appeal to home cooks of all capabilities. I'll be honest,…

ByMichelleMarch 26, 20190Comments

Product Review Recipes

Trader Joe’s Throws Down with Neapolitan Joe-Joe’s

While Oreo has been on a tear introducing limited edition flavors over the last few years, Trader Joe's effort has been more measured, lining up with their pushes around various flavors. There have been Mango Joe-Joe's, Mocha Joe-Joe's, Matcha Joe-Joe's, and everyone's perennial holiday favorite: the Peppermint Joe-Joe. Now, Trader Joe's has delivered an old…

ByMichelleAugust 6, 20180Comments

Recipes

Island Fruit Float with Dry Zero Sugar Soda

On this fine #NationalIceCreamDay, we're celebrating with the simplest of ice cream treats, short of a scoop. The ice cream float. Sure, you could just go with root beer or Coke, never a bad choice, but Dry Soda Company has expanded their offerings with a new zero sugar soda line, sweetened with erythritol and stevia.…

ByMichelleJuly 15, 20180Comments

Dessert Recipes

Eight Must Bakes from SWEET by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh

This month, @RainyDayBites' Instagram-based cookbook baked from Sweet by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh. There have been some pretty impressive bakes and a whole lotta butter spread across several feeds. The two challenges for the month were Blackberry and Star Anise Friands (p. 103) and Take Home Chocolate Cake (p. 152). I don't consider myself an…

ByMichelleMay 31, 20180Comments

We Tried Trader Joe’s Cheese-less Cheesecakes

We Tried Trader Joe’s Nut Butter Bar Mix

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chocolate Peppermint Loaf

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chocolate Lava Gnocchi

5 Delicious Summer Berry Desserts

We Tried Trader Joe’s Mochi Cake Mix

Simple Cake by Odette Williams |Cookbook Spotlight

Island Fruit Float with Dry Zero Sugar Soda

Eight Must Bakes from SWEET by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh

Book Review: A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

26 New Asian and Pacific Islander Books for your 2026 TBR