Trader Joe’s SUBLIME ICE CREAM SANDWICHES “Cookies ‘N Cream” flavor


“Cookies and Cream ice cream sandwiched between rich chocolate chunk cookies”

I like the original version of these: “Vanilla Ice cream sandwiched between Chocolate Chip cookies.

My neighbor tried this newer version: Cookies N Cream which are a new flavor riff on the original Sublime Ice Cream Sandwich (Chocolate Chip cookies around vanilla ice cream rolled in chocolate chips).

My neighbor wasn’t crazy about these Cookies and Cream sandwiches after she tried one. So she offered the rest of them to me. My wife and I tried them and we really understood why our neighbor wasn’t crazy about the new flavor.

First off – I find this way too sweet. What I would call “kid level” sweetness. Way too sweet from the two similar sweet things going on, with both the cookie and the ice cream. IMO this one doesnt’ work. The combo of cookies and creme ice cream and gooey chocolate outer cookies actually just became more cookies and cream as you chew it. So double Cookies And Cream. Too much.

Whereas if it had vanilla ice cream then there would be a contrast between the outer dark chocolate gooey cookie and the inside of the ice cream sandwich.

The original version of these is better I think with vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies and rolled in chocolate chips. There you get more distinct flavors and textures.

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/cookies-n-cream-ice-cream-sandwiches-081727

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/sublime-ice-cream-sandwiches-090987

https://www.allrecipes.com/trader-joes-best-sublime-ice-cream-sandwiches-11771798

Not too mention the soft outside cookie of the sandwich just kind of melted in my fingers as I ate it. It was messy to eat. My call is get the original one which is good. This one is a Miss for me. I think I would like it if it had vanilla ice cream in the middle. Then as you bite it you would get cookies and cream.

Get the original flavor, with vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies, which is wonderful.

I would not buy this one again.

Still your 5 year old may love it.

Trader Joe’s COSTA RICA COFFEE (whole bean, 100% Arabica)


Here is another what I might call “small lot” style coffee Trader Joe’s has introduced but this too, like the Mexico Chiapas, is not a Limited coffee but one they seem to intend to have on the shelves every day. As they say:

“If you’re a regular in our coffee & tea section, you’re likely familiar with our rotating roster of limited-edition Small Lot coffees—carefully sourced, single-origin offerings that tend to be available only in small quantities, and only for a short time. Trader Joe’s Costa Rica Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee captures the spirit of our Small Lot releases—high quality, single-origin craftsmanship—and thanks to our longstanding relationships with some truly exceptional growers, we’ve been able to secure sufficient quantities to be able to offer it on our shelves every day.”

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/costa-rica-coffee-081522

This one is from COSTA RICA, grown high up in the mountains there.

“Costa Rica’s temperate tropical climate and rich, volcanic soil promote slow and steady growth, allowing the coffee cherries time to develop rich, complex flavors.”

They again list this as “Medium” roast but to me, like the Chiapas coffee, I would say this is just a wee bit darker. The beans being just a tiny bit shiny with oil and once again, I think the roast is perfect for the beans. as long as you know to expect beans that are “dark medium” or whatever you might call this.

The beans looked good, smelled good, and had a wonderful aroma when ground. The brewed coffee was tasty and had a deep rich flavor with hints of chocolate. “Inherently sweet with nutty notes”.

This is a quite decent coffee. Still I think I liked the recent Organic Mexico coffee just a tad more. I liked this Costa Rican better than the organic one from Peru. This is not marked “organic”. In any case, if you are into trying out TJ’s coffee’s as I like to do, I say this is at least worth a try for $10 bucks.

If you just want a recommendation of which coffee(s) at Trader Joe’s are worth buying for a first timer, I’d recommend the Fair Trade Organic BOLIVIAN coffee if you like a lighter roasted coffee. If you enjoy a darker roasted coffee (“medium” they say) I’d say try the ORGANIC MEXICAN.

$9.99 (12 oz bag) 100% Arabica, Whole Bean

Trader Joe’s WAXED AMARYLLIS BULBS (early spring/limited item)


“Trader Joe’s Amaryllis Bulbs come to us conveniently pre-sprouted and carefully hand-dipped in a paraffin Wax. Fascinatingly enough, all of the nutrients and moisture that the Amaryllis will require for growth & bloom are already packed into that one big, round, colorful, Wax-covered Bulb. Which means that when you get your Bulb home, you can just place it on a counter (or in a window—anywhere that receives filtered light is fine) and periodically turn it to encourage tall, straight growth. That’s it. No water. No soil. No constant watching. No kidding! The Amaryllis Bulb in Wax is the must-have, must-gift plant of the season, no green thumb required.”

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/waxed-amaryllis-bulb-058231

So I got one of these. Both my wife and I were a little bit skeptical that this would work as they said it would. Or that it would work so well. It was just a waxed bulb with a tiny green shoot at the time peeking out at the top of this round wax ball, containing the amaryllis bulb. But guess what? It absolutely did work, and then some. I mean, Wow!

I placed the bulb in a sunny place. And waited. Thats it. It took about a 6 weeks or so. One could see where the flowers would come. About a week or so later there were flowers emerging and after about another week the thing looked magnificent as you can seet bloomed with 4 huge Amaryllis flowers.

This could be a fabulous gift. Maybe next Easter time?

https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis