But which premade cookie dough reigns supreme? We tried a bunch of store bought cookie dough to let you know which is the best chocolate chip cookie dough to buy. We baked the cookies according to package instructions, and tried them at room temp, sans milk. It was really tough for us. 

Here’s the best store bought chocolate chip cookie dough we found in our incredibly taxing job of taste testing premade chocolate chip cookie dough (gluten free chocolate cookie dough and vegan chocolate chip cookie dough, too).

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Allergy Friendly

Sweet Loren’s Less Sugar Dough

Instacart

If you told the child version of me that I would actually actively prefer the version of a cookie dough that advertised “less sugar,” I’d have laughed at you. Now, I look back on that version and say “tsk tsk tsk,” because this less sugar premade cookie dough is divine. I wasn’t super excited by the dough itself, which tasted muted. But while it baked it somehow transformed into a Chips Ahoy doppelganger. It certainly makes a crunchy cookie instead of a chewy one, but it’s incredibly tasty—especially when you consider the fact that it’s gluten-free, vegan, and free of major allergens. If you are going into a potluck and you suspect the crowd might be a veritable minefield of allergies, this is definitely the best cookie dough to buy. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free

Immaculate Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk

Immaculate

Gluten free cookies made with the best gluten free chocolate chip cookie dough don’t have to get all weird and grainy in your mouth as you eat them—this Immaculate Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk cookie dough is proof. This stuff is so good! This dough puffs up quite a bit in the oven, resulting in sort of tall cookies, but don’t let that turn you off. They’re moist and chewy and absolutely packed with chocolate chips. It’s not only the best GF cookie dough we tried, it’s also some of the best chocolate chip cookie dough, period. — Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Immaculate

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Vegan

Simple Truth Plant Based Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Ralphs

If the test of good vegan chocolate chip cookie dough is that it could easily pass for non-vegan chocolate chip cookie dough, this is the stuff. Kroger’s Simple Truth Plant Based Cookie Dough comes in pre-measured little squares that you just plop on a baking sheet. They come out of the oven chewy, but crisp up around the edges a bit as they cool, which makes them seem buttery even though they obviously aren’t made with dairy butter. The vegan dark chocolate chips are flavorful but not overpowering—you can still taste the dough itself. This is the best place and bake cookie dough if you don’t eat eggs or butter, but I think everyone will like it. An absolutely stellar vegan product. — Gwynedd Stuart

Credit:Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best with Caramel

Private Selection Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough

Ralphs

This premade cookie dough from Private Selection (another proprietary brand sold at Kroger-owned grocery stores) isn’t the very best chocolate chip cookie dough simply because it’s not straight-up chocolate chip cookie dough, but I gotta say, this was my personal favorite. If you want chocolate chip cookies with a little extra decadence, you have to try this stuff. You can see caramel start to create gooey pools atop and beneath the cookies as they cook in the oven. It’s downright pornographic. Once they’re done baking, the cookies have excellent chew, as does the caramel—and there’s a lot of caramel. That said, these are definitely still chocolate chip cookies. There’s plenty of chocolate chunks—not chips, CHUNKS, i.e. rectangular morsels rather than little kisses. This is the best cookie dough to buy for the cookie swap. Truly, no one will care that you used premade cookie dough. — Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Two Bite

Great Value Ready to Bake Cookie Dough

Walmart

If you’re like me and you’d rather eat five little cookies than one big cookie, you’re going to love this chocolate chip cookie dough from Walmart. Great Value doesn’t advertise these as miniature cookies, but they’re much smaller than most place and bake cookies. I tasted these head to head with the Toll House cookie dough that is intended to make mini cookies, and I liked these just a touch better (plus, this cookie dough is from Walmart, so it’s cheap). You can actually taste a little bit of salt in the dough, which I love. If you want to go the small cookie route, this is the best chocolate chip cookie dough to buy. — Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Tube of Dough

Pillsbury Eat or Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Target

If you’re looking for the best cookie dough to buy by the tube so you can scoop out as much or as little dough as you need, this is the premade cookie dough for you. Bonus: You can eat it raw as well as baked! It has a surprising amount of salt—but all that salt does is elevate all of the other flavors and cut through the sweetness. The balance of salt and sugar is perfect, and perfectly interrupted by lots and lots of chocolate chips. The dough bakes up a little flatter than I was expecting, but it delivers a cookie that’s just right for those who can’t decide between crispy and chewy. The result is a cookie that’s half crunchy, half soft, all delicious. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Lovers

Target

Tollhouse looms large in the chocolate chip cookie game, and it’s easy to see why. We actually did two rounds of taste tests on doughs led by completely different tasters, and this dough came out on top both times. It doesn’t have that unpleasant, unnatural preservative flavor you’ll find in a lot of other premade cookie dough. And the cookies made with this premade cookie dough bake up chewy and gooey and absolutely stacked with chocolate chips. This is the best chocolate chip cookie dough for real chocolate chip cookie fans. — Gwynedd Stuart & Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other cookie dough brands we tried: Miss Jones Grain Free, Sweet Loren’s Chocolate Chunk, Amazon Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

The post Best Premade Cookie Dough for Chocolate Chip Cookies appeared first on Sporked.

Here’s where that all changes, because we’ve got answers to questions that have plagued the masses for years about French vanilla. The most important thing? No, it is not just vanilla you consume in a beret, so no, you don’t have to worry if you’re the 0.00000001% that can pull off a beret without seeming pretentious. Read on for the facts.

What is vanilla?

It’s worth getting briefed on original vanilla before diving into French vanilla. Vanilla is a spice from the vanilla orchid, which produces long, slender bean pods that turn from green to black. The majority of vanilla plants are found in Mexico, Madagascar, Tahiti, Uganda, and Indonesia. What? Not France? I thought this was about French vanilla! 

What is French vanilla?

French vanilla does not mean vanilla from France. Why would it? Just because that would make sense? Grow up. The term refers instead to the French style of making vanilla ice cream, which is with an egg yolk-enriched custard base. This is different from the Philadelphia style of ice cream, which is cream-based. Even though French vanilla ice cream originated in France, French vanilla can be found internationally, and is contingent on the distinct flavor profile from the French method. 

What’s the difference between French vanilla and vanilla?

The main distinguishing features when it comes to French vanilla vs vanilla are appearance, texture, and flavor. Plain vanilla ice cream is white or light beige, while French vanilla is a pale yellow from the characteristic yolks. French vanilla also tends to have a smoother consistency and richer flavor.

Is French vanilla better than vanilla?

It depends! Descriptors like “richer,” “creamier,” “more luxurious,” might entice someone to always opt for French vanilla, but its more complex flavor might be its downfall. For anyone who wants a cleaner tasting bowl of ice cream, or a dollop on top of apple pie, the more neutral classic vanilla absolutely has a place. 

What does French vanilla smell like?

Mauricio Poulsen says of French vanilla, “it is when the vanilla flavor is caramelized, custard-like, cooked, egg yolk-like, slightly floral.” Seeing as Poulsen is the director of creation and application of flavors for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc, he’s kind of a big deal. Plus his answer was much nicer than what we were going to say: “Dunno. It’s nice though.”

French vanilla is ice cream? But I’ve seen French vanilla coffee!

The origin of French vanilla is, in fact, ice cream, but the velvety product’s allure extends beyond the realm of ice cream. It’s become something of a marketing buzzword, evoking a feeling of sophistication and decadence. Whether you’re looking at a coffee, candle, or perfume, people have come to expect that French vanilla has a little…je ne sais quoi, if you will. 

The post What Is French Vanilla? appeared first on Sporked.

What is pea protein?

Pea protein is the hero we didn’t know we needed. It’s extracted from yellow split peas, so it’s a protein source that’s plant-based, lactose free, and relatively easy to digest. It’s an alternative to whey protein, and can be found in protein fortified foods from energy bars to veggie burgers to cereals, or in protein powders that you can add to smoothies and shakes. 

There are a few different types of pea protein. Textured pea protein is the least processed of three main types. It’s used mostly to make alternative meat products. As for the other two types, they’re more likely to be sold in stores. These are pea protein isolate or concentrate. The isolate is a powder with pea protein, amino acids, and little to nothing else. The concentrate has less protein but more carbs and fats, so it’s a little better suited for a meal replacement with more nutrients rather than just a supplement. 

Is pea protein a complete protein?

To answer this, we have to touch a little on amino acids. There are nine essential amino acids. Animal products have all of these, but some plant foods are frequently low on one or more, including our lord and savior pea protein. It does have all of the essential amino acids, but it is low in one called methionine. Even though pea protein can be a great addition to a diet, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if this was your only source of protein. That means that even if you love Fun-Dipping your way through raw pea protein powder, you should probably supplement that with some other protein sources. Also maybe ask yourself why you are the way that you are?

What does pea protein taste like?

Please do not Fun Dip pea protein, for so many reasons. On its own, few people have reported pea protein as having any sort of overwhelming flavor. In fact, it’s a fairly neutral blank canvas, so many include it in recipes like shakes and smoothies, especially because the texture is so smooth. The flavor it does have is generally on the grassy, earthy side, but it’s no match for the sweeteners and flavors in protein powder mixes or energy bars.

How is pea protein made?

Like many other protein powders, pea protein is extracted from whole foods, concentrated, and then turned into powder form. This is done without a chemical solvent, by a process with a dry phase and a liquid phase. In the dry phase, the shell of the pea is taken off. From this now-nude pea, a flour containing soluble fibers, starches, and proteins can be taken. Being water-soluble, pea proteins are then separated from starch and fiber by wet filtration and centrifugation. 

What are the benefits of pea protein?

Pea protein has a lot of pros. It generally contains fewer allergens, such as lactose and gluten, than whey options. Of course, it’s not guaranteed, so always check the label if you’re strict about your diet. Pea protein is also generally easy to digest, creamy in foods and drinks, and high in iron. As a tool in creating alternative meats, it also scores high in terms of emulsifying properties, good solubility, dispersion of water, and ability to brown in the pan. You probably won’t be running out to buy a bunch for dinner tonight, but now you know what it means if you see it in an ingredients list.

The post What Is Pea Protein? appeared first on Sporked.

We here at Sporked have conducted not one, not two, but three separate taste tests to conclusively determine the best pie crust for any occasion—including gluten free pie crust, frozen pie crust, shortbread pie crust, and even mini pie crust. We prepared these crusts according to package instructions, but tried them all without any fillings so that we could get the best idea of how the crust stands on its own. 

The best pie crust should be flaky, buttery, and tender, but not so brittle that it can’t maintain its shape when it’s baked. Flavors and styles may vary, but in general we’re looking for pie crust that’s slightly sweet and not too overpowering. The best store bought pie crust lets the filling be the star.

So, go forth and put your time and energy into simmering filling, figuring out the lattice top, or ripping your kitchen to shreds trying to find the pie server. Here’s the best pie crust to buy at the grocery store for literally any occasion.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best for Meat Pies

365 Pre-Rolled Pie Crusts

Amazon

This pre-rolled crust (which you simply unroll and place into a pie tin) is delightfully crunchy, and it tastes like, well, nothing. Depending on what you want, this could be the perfect crust for you, but it would probably be best suited for one of those hefty, meaty pies that they make on Bake Off instead of a light and flaky dessert. Let’s just say this: Ron Swanson would like this crust. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free Crust

Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Crust

Instacart

I’m a huge gluten free product endorser now. Everything that’s gluten free tends to have such a lovely, crispy, crunchy, satisfying texture. Wholly Wholesome’s gluten free pie crust is no different, and it is delightfully sugary. You get that crunchy, crystalized cane sugar effect, and the texture is crumbly, almost like a graham cracker crust. I eat a crap ton of gluten and I’m in love with this gluten free pie crust. The crust might be a bit too crumbly for some, but it’s the best pie crust for gluten free folks by a mile. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Nut Crust

Diamond Pecan Pie Crust

Instacart

All of Diamond’s premade pie crusts impressed the hell out of me with their variety of flavors, but the pecan pie crust hit hardest of them all. This store bought pie crust has phenomenal flavor—it’s nutty, buttery, salty, and deliciously sweet. When you cook it in the oven, the pecans unleash an extra layer of roasted flavor that’s simply delightful. Everybody who happened to walk by while this was in the oven mentioned how pleasant the smell was. I think this is the best pie crust for experimentation. Start with the pecan crust base, then work backwards from there. May I suggest pumpkin chiffon? — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Chocolate Crust

Oreo Pie Crust

Instacart

You can’t have an Oreo cream pie without an Oreo pie crust, and although this crust, in theory, limits you to making a very specific type of pie, I think that it’s so delicious that you could do other things with it, too. The chocolatey crust would be a great contrast for a banana cream pie or even a coconut cream pie. The pie shell is basic, but tastes just like the chocolate cookies in an Oreo. The Oreo pie is also a classic no-bake dessert and a symbol of convenience. And at Sporked, we love convenience. That’s why it’s the best pie crust for desserts that don’t require an oven—and the best chocolate pie crust we tried. — Danny Palumbo

Related: Every Oreo Flavor, Ranked

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Shortbread Crust

Keebler Shortbread Crust

Keebler

This buttery, delicious shortbread crust is a touch sweeter than the classic Lorna Doone cookie. It’s crunchy and left no aftertaste (unlike a lot of the others we tried). It’s certainly too sweet for a savory pie filling, but not nearly so sugary that it will bulldoze a dessert interior. That being said, it’s so tasty on its own that we just kept eating the crust, sans filling. If you’re making a pie with this, get two crusts—one for the pie and one to snack on. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Keebler

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Graham Crust

Keebler Graham Pie Crust

Instacart

This store bought pie crust ranks for its flavor, as well as its aesthetic. When it comes to a graham cracker pie crust, Keebler is a classic. Sure, you could pick the Kroger brand or the Great Value brand, and they do taste strikingly similar, but there’s just more joy in seeing those crafty little elves on the front of this package. I also think the flavor here is slightly better—it’s buttery and sweet, and the texture of the crust isn’t so crumbly that it falls apart. Trust the elves to make some of the best store bought pie crust, dammit! — Danny Palumbo

Related: The Best Graham Crackers We Found in a Taste Test

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best for Savory Pies

Marie Callender’s Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells

Instacart

This frozen pie crust has excellent structure and, as advertised, this thing is deep. You can make a huge pie with this. I love that the edges of the pie are perfectly crimped, giving it a homestyle aesthetic. The texture is good, too. This store bought pie crust is tender and flaky and good for pretty much any pie, but its size makes it the best pie crust for chicken pot pies. Fill it to the top. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Pre-Rolled

Pillsbury Refrigerated Rolled Pie Crusts

Instacart

This store bought pre-rolled pie crust bakes up golden and buttery and flaky. It’s like a croissant in that it’s rich and buttery without being greasy or heavy, and the salt level is perfect. This crust would live as happily with pumpkin custard as it would with spinach and goat cheese. If you’re imagining grandma’s pie cooling on the windowsill, this is the crust you’re imagining. Has your grandma been lying to you and just using Pillsbury? Maybe. But are you going to be mad about it? Nah, you’re too busy chowing down on some of the best pie crust. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Pillsbury Deep Dish Pie Crusts

Instacart

Pillsbury Deep Dish Pie Crust is the best pie crust out there. This frozen pie crust comes ready to fill and bake. After cooking, it’s flaky, buttery, and crunchy. You could put any filling in it and be perfectly happy. Not only is this store bought pie crust delicious (and easy to use), but it also lives in the freezer, which makes it the best holiday hack to have on hand throughout the fall and winter. If you need a last minute dish for a potluck or you just want to make something nice for your family on an average weeknight, this is the best store bought pie crust for you.  — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other store bought pie crusts: Great Value Graham, Kroger Graham Cracker, Betty Crocker Graham Cracker, Honey Maid Graham Cracker, Diamond Pumpkin Pie Spice, Keebler Chocolate, Keebler Graham Minis, Wholly Wholesome Traditional, Favorite Day Graham, Signature Select Graham, MI-del Gluten Free Chocolate Snap Crust, Happy Belly Unroll and Bake Crusts, Great Value Ready to Bake

The post Best Pie Crust to Buy for Super Easy Baking appeared first on Sporked.

Meatless Breakfast Patties ($3.99)

Breakfast sausage is a breakfast GOAT, but this one is decidedly not goat. Or pig. Or turkey. This plant-based patty is proof that there’s no reason non-meat eaters should have to miss out on the salty, savory goodness that is the breakfast sausage. This take is a blend of textured soy protein and wheat gluten seasoned with classic sausage spices like sage, fennel, and, of course, garlic and onion.

Hash Browns ($2.79)

Hash browns. Need we say more? No, but be will, because we can’t contain our excitement. Potatoes are always a solid start, but fried up to be crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and frozen for our convenience? Just a quick trip detour to the airfryer or oven, and these quickly become perfect partners to scrambled eggs, a sopper for a runny yolk, or a landing zone for copious amounts of sriracha.

Mango Blueberry Chia Bowl ($3.49)

BAM! POW! THWACK! That’s the sound of this chia bowl fighting off illness, fatigue, and a life of flavorlessness all in one go. The delicious mix of mango puree, coconut cream, passionfruit juice, and black chia seeds is cheaper than any tropical vacation and will leave you with way fewer mosquito bites. Simply thaw, top with crunchy granola if you’d like, and tell that $11 smoothie bowl place to suck it.

Silver Dollar Pancakes ($3.29)

Yeah, there are pancake mixes that are pretty easy, but sometimes we want easier than “pretty easy.” We want grossly easy. We want easy that’ll have grandpappies everywhere saying, “Don’t you know how lucky you are? Back in my day…” These frozen pancakes are that easy. All you need to do is pop them in the microwave. And since they’re so small, you don’t have to commit to just one topping. You can have many with a bunch of different toppings.

Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche ($2.99)

Who said classy can’t be quick? If you’re hosting a tea or a brunch, nobody needs to know that delicious quiche came from the freezer, and Deborah best be minding her own business if she’s trying to judge any food that isn’t homemade or from a patisserie. Though this sophisticated savory can hold its own amidst debutantes, it’s also easy enough for a simple breakfast at home. Buttery crust, fluffy eggs, and tender broccoli all living together in harmony with cheddar cheese? That’s a roommate situation we could get behind. 

Egg Frittata ($3.49)

These frozen mini egg frittatas do two things really well. First, they’re a great breakfast. Made up of eggs, Swiss cheese, cauliflower, and fried onions, they’re as good on their own as they are between English muffins or with a side of bacon. Secondly, they’re also a great catalyst for flirtation. Simply approach your crush and ask if they’d like to splittata a frittata. All worthwhile partners will immediately oblige.

The post 6 Trader Joe’s Frozen Breakfasts You Can Get for Less Than $4 appeared first on Sporked.

What is cold pressed juice?

Cold pressed juice is juice that’s been extracted without the aid of any heat, very often by hydraulic press. Essentially explaining that “cold pressed juice” is juice that is pressed cold may seem redundant, but better safe than sorry, considering that produce is full of deceit. Pineapples are neither pines nor apples. Watermelon never tastes as good as it looks. 

Okay, but what does cold pressed juice mean, really? To break it down even more, cold pressing juice separates the fiber from fruit and vegetable cells without the use of heat. The hydraulic press used in the juicing process applies thousands of pounds of pressure to squeeze out the liquid.

How is cold pressed juice made?

Simply put, cold press juicers do what Simone Biles does to the competition: absolutely crush. While a cold press juicer might be a little sloppier with a triple pike, it juices by first crushing the produce, then pressing it. 

The goal of cold press is to extract as much juice while doing as little damage as possible. This is as opposed to the “chew it up and spit it out” method of the common household juicer. The common household centrifugal juicer uses a blade that spins at high speed, which juices quickly but generates heat that breaks down some of the nutrients, colors, and flavors of the final product. 

Theoretically, cold-pressed juices retain more flavor and nutritive value than other juices, but we cannot conduct a conclusive study considering we don’t have a PhD (Pulpy Hydrator doctorate) or JD (juice doctorate). Though it may very well have benefits, cold-pressed juice is also more time and labor intensive, and therefore often more expensive. 

How much more expensive is cold pressed juice?

Cold-pressed juices typically run between $5 and $10 per single serve bottle. This may seem a little steep, but it doesn’t stop juice-thirsty people from buying. Fortune Business Insights stated in 2022 that the cold-pressed juice market is projected to grow from $1.15 billion to nearly $2 billion by 2029. 

Is cold pressed juice pasteurized?

Unless you’re buying super fresh juice from a local shop or farmer’s market, odds are, your cold pressed juice is pasteurized. The inevitable oxidation from exposing the delicious nectar to the harsh reality of life means that raw cold pressed juice only has a shelf life of about three to four days. However, most juicers on the market combat this by using a pasteurization method known as high pressure processing (HPP) in which already-bottled juices are submerged in cold water under high pressure to kill pathogens. This increases shelf life to between 30 and 45 days. 

Does cold pressed juice have sugar?

Sure do! Now, whether or not they have added sugar is different. Cold pressed juices are bound to contain the natural sugars from the fruits and vegetables from which they came, but most cold pressed juice companies do not add sugar to supplement this natural sweetness. While it’s uncommon to see added sugar, be sure to check the nutrition facts if you’d like to be certain. 

The post What Is Cold Pressed Juice, Really? appeared first on Sporked.

What is a Whatchamacallit?

A Whatchamacallit is a tasty treat with a funky name from The Hershey Company. The playful candy version of “Who’s On First” is not only a delicious candy, but also a catalyst to reveal cracks in your relationships as your conversation partner either smiles at the silly name or chastises you for “not even being able to remember the name of a candy bar so no wonder you’re always late on child support.” There’s probably a third option. 

What’s in a Whatchamacallit bar?

The current Whatchamacallit bars contain a layer of caramel and peanut-flavored crunch cloaked with a chocolate coating. Old schoolers will remember that they used to be made without caramel, but that was the pre-1987 version. It’s dead now. 

Those who are caramel averse can opt for the Whozeewhatzit, which swaps out caramel for peanut butter and the crunch is flavored with chocolate instead. 

When did Whatchamacallit come out?

The initial version of the Whatchamacallit was introduced by The Hershey Company in 1978. This iteration was just peanut butter crisp covered in chocolate. About ten years later, caramel was added to the confection, and that’s the version that exists in circulation today. 

Are Whatchamacallit gluten free?

Although the crisp is made with puffed rice, Whatchamacallit bars are actually not gluten free! They contain malt extract, so celiacs beware. 

Do they still make Whatchamacallit candy bars?

Whatchamacallits are still very much alive and well, thanks to their original makers at The Hershey Company! Despite popular demand, they are not (yet) available in fun-sized bars. They are, however, available in king-sized bars. God bless America.

The post What’s a Whatchamacallit? appeared first on Sporked.

Here are six returning or new Trader Joe’s products you gotta snag this month. 

Cranberry Ginger Chutney

The age-old debate has shaken families to their cores and sullied countless Thanksgiving dinners. Canned or fresh cranberry sauce? While the only correct answer is “yes,” TJ’s offers a third option in the form of a south Indian take on the contentious condiment: cranberry ginger chutney. It doesn’t offer the slurp of jellied sauce sliding out of the can or the stray hair found in Aunt Becky’s homemade sauce, but it does have a lovely balance of sweet, savory, and tangy cranberry, ginger, garlic, and cayenne. May this chutney bring peace to your Thanksgiving discussions. Or just add one more thing to fight about. Yikes.

Herb Seasoned Brined Bone-in Half Turkey

A whole turkey is a big commitment, and lord knows your family members have reminded you time and time again that you “have commitment issues.” Trader Joe’s to the rescue! Picking up this pre-brined half turkey means that you won’t have to stare down the barrel of turkey leftovers for days on end, and you can appease both white and dark meat lovers. It cooks up in about half the time of a full-sized bird, and comes pre-seasoned, so you’ll have plenty of extra time in the day to munch on apps, watch football, or conduct extremely important quality assurance exams on the cookie platter.

Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies

Anyone else have nightmares about getting that first slice of pie out? You try to lift the piece but watch it fall apart before your eyes, mirroring your reputation, hopes, and dreams? No? Just us? Well, that’s a fear of the past, with these mini pies. No slicing necessary! The single serving desserts are easy to dole out but just as delicious as the full-sized version. Bonus if you’re a crust fan, since the mini-nature ensures a higher ratio of buttery crust to filling.

Cheesy Herby Biscuits

Sure, there was a huge presidential election and every company ever went on strike, but you know the news that really shook us recently? Red Lobster’s bankruptcy. Thinking about life without those Cheddar Bay Biscuits had us shook, so we’re thrilled that TJ’s is offering a similarly cheesy, herbaceous potential dupe. These bad boys are frozen and ready to fill your home with smells of thyme, rosemary, cheddar, and parmesan. We’d say “happiness,” but that’s redundant.

Cheesy Creamy Greens and Veggies

Although we love roasted Brussel sprouts and we totally get the kale trend, a blanket of cheese does wonders for making already yummy foods feel like a wholesome meal to share with others, especially in the chillier months. Even a mediocre cheese sauce can heal almost any wound, but this frozen side dish is packed with the flavors of onion, garlic, black pepper, nutmeg, and dried porcini mushrooms for extra umami. We’re not psychic, but we foresee considerably fewer complaints about having to eat veggies around the holiday table. Also, take two steps to the left—that chandelier is about to fall. Okay, maybe we are a little psychic.

Spicy Farfalle Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage

Is this one out of left field amidst the turkey day priming? Yes. But we welcome pasta at any and all times, and sometimes it’s nice to have a little relief from fall-specific flavors. This new frozen pasta’s got a little heat in the tomato sauce, a little savory in the Italian chicken sausage, and a lotta class because the whole thing is black-tie formal and full of bowties (a new shape for Trader Joe’s frozen pasta line-up). Keep it in your freezer for when you want a quick meal, sprinkle on some extra cheese or herbs, and cackle at those who are stressing about cooking.

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But that’s beside the point. We’re here because, presumably, you already like matzo ball soup. You like it so much you’re looking for a shortcut to enjoying matzo ball soup. You want to know about the best matzo ball soup mix. I tried found four to recommend. 

To try the mixes, I followed package instructions to form the balls and make the broth. I kept it as simple as possible, keeping everything to broth and ball across the board, though some mixes gave the option to throw in some vegetables or additional seasoning. I was keeping things fair and trying out that Coco Chanel quote about Even though I ended up with a table full of what the old me would have considered wastefully simple soups, I really enjoyed them all. It’s rare that I do a test where there were no stinkers, but no mix I tried had me questioning why matzo ball soup is so well loved. While none were bad, some still edged out the competition.

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Best Matzo Ball Flavor

Streit’s Classic Matzo Ball & Soup Mix

Amazon

The broth in this matzo ball soup mix is perfectly passable, but the matzo ball is the star of the show. It actually tastes like something other than the broth it soaks up. Texturally, they’re somehow both dense and light, like a Shcrodinger’s cat of Jewish delicacy. The broth comes off a little on the bland—but only because the balls are so flavorful. I happily ate many of the nutty, toasty spheres of matzo goodness.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Matzo Ball Only Mix

Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix

Manischewitz

While I did fall in love with matzo ball soup over the course of this taste test, I will admit that one of my favorite parts of this tasting was commenting on “ball texture.” But that doesn’t take away from the merit of these delightfully spongy balls! Since this matzo ball mix doesn’t include soup, I boiled them in chicken broth. The matzo balls were easy to make, and promptly became bloated and saturated with chicken broth flavor. They’re a little on the salty side, but you can rectify that by using low-sodium broth or cutting the soup with water.

Credit: Liv Averett / Manischewitz

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Dense Matzo Ball

Lipton Kosher Soup Secrets Matzo Ball & Soup Mix 

Walmart

I consider Lipton soup packets to be the official food of the latchkey kid, and often find myself nostalgic for the alarming saltiness and the aggressively processed flavor. While I love those “cream of chicken” soup packets, I was surprised to find that I loved this matzo ball soup mix because the broth is actually pretty subtle. The matzo balls are denser than a lot of the others, with a good, grainy texture. For anyone looking for a more delicate soup and a sinker matzo ball instead of a floater, this is the best matzo ball soup mix for you.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Manischewitz Matzo Ball & Soup Mix

Manischewitz

As soon as I tasted it, I wrote this note, all in caps: “THIS BROTH IS SO GOOD.” After many more spoonfuls, I stand by my initial observation. The broth is deceptively pale and thin, considering it packs a ton of flavor. It’s layered and complex without being overwhelming or confusing, and it is seasoned with the perfect amount of salt. For how quick and easy it was to pull together, it didn’t taste packaged or processed. It’s almost unfair how homemade this matzo ball soup mix tastes out of the box. The matzo ball itself isn’t quite as flavorful as some others, but it’s the perfect sponge for the broth. This is the best matzo ball soup mix for classic, comforting, homemade-style matzo ball soup.

Credit: Liv Averett / Manischewitz

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Other matzo ball soup mixes we tried: Streit’s Gluten Free Matzo Ball and Soup Mix, Manischewitz Reduced Sodium Matzo Ball Mix, Matzo Project Matzo Ball Soup Kit

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I’ve had scones before, but they’ve always been from school dining halls and cafeterias. They’ve been so dry, bland, and blah that I had to assume that there was something more to the pastry that would explain why so many people liked them. As someone both skeptical and hopeful for the scone, I was really excited to conduct a taste test of scone mixes. 

Here’s what I looked for in the best scone mix: I wanted it to be fairly easy to make, fairly mess-free, and pretty tasty. I followed package instructions to prepare the scones, fighting every urge to channel the Bake-Off contestants and get fancy with it. I tasted the final products at room temp, without toppings, before deciding on my favorites to toast and smother in jam. 

The verdict? I like scones! Here are the scone mixes you should be buying (including gluten free scone mix). 

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Best Very Flavorful

Sticky Fingers Cranberry Orange Scones Premium Mix

Amazon

Let’s say you’re stranded on a desert island. Sorry, I mean dessert island. But on this island you’re roughing it with only scone mix, an oven, all the bowls and pans you’ll need to bake the scones, a cup of tea, and your jammies. In this horrifying circumstance, you’re forced to eat your scone without butter, cream, jam, or any sort of spread. This is the scone mix you’d want to have. It is absolutely packed with flavor, to the point where the orange flavor is almost aggressive. It’s sweet, soft, and might leave the old schoolers who prefer subtlety a little taken-aback, but it’s unapologetically cranberry orange. I respect that.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Easy to Make

Sticky Fingers Lemon Poppyseed Scones Premium Mix

Amazon

None of the scone mixes were exceedingly difficult to put together, but this one was blissfully easy. I was really expecting sub-par quality considering that all I had to add was water. There was no cubing butter, no cracking eggs, no measuring oil. So the fact that the scones turned out as tasty as they did restored my faith in humanity. That said, the scones do have an aftertaste, maybe from the leavening. And the scones smell much more like lemon than they taste like lemon. But this is still the best scone mix to buy if you refuse to do any work whatsoever.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Buckwheat Scones

Free and Easy Afternoon Tea Scone Mix

British Essentials

I probably wouldn’t have liked the scones I made with this scone mix when I was a kid, but now, in my advanced age, with my sophisticated palate, I’m into them. The scones are dry, but don’t suck the moisture out of my mouth like the scones of my past did. They actually kind of remind me of the crumb topping of a crumb cake, which nobody on Earth has ever had a problem with. These scones are not super sweet, but certainly not bitter, and have a delightfully nutty, deep flavor. This is the best scone mix to buy if you’re looking for something a little sophisticated—and if you love buckwheat. Bonus points for also being gluten free and dairy free!

Credit: Merc / British Essentials

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Crust

Stonewall Kitchen Traditional Scone Mix

Stonewall Kitchen

My biggest issue with this scone mix is that the brand missed the opportunity to call it “Sconewall Kitchen.” Absolute crime against marketing aside, this scone mix makes great scones. They taste a little like buttermilk biscuits, but instead of the flakiness of a biscuit you get the crumble of a scone. Perhaps the best part is that the inside stays tender while the outside becomes a crispy crust that is crunchy and flavorful. I was absolutely stoked to split this in half and toast it for some more of that sweet, maillard action.

Credit: Merc / Stonewall Kitchen

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

King Arthur Gluten Free Scone Mix

Amazon

Ah, King Arthur. The regal baker consistently impresses me, and this gluten free scone mix is no exception. It’s a very different experience from the Free and Easy mix, the other gluten-free scone mix on this list. It created scones with a much more moist texture that melted in my mouth instead of crumbling. The scones are perfumed with vanilla, but the sweetness is subtle. It reminds me a lot of Nilla Wafers. I desperately want to smother these gluten-free scones in peanut butter and bananas. Is that the traditional way to have a scone? Probably not, but get with the times and bring on the ‘nanners. Not only is this the best gluten-free scone mix, it’s also the best scone mix, overall.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

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What does MSG stand for?

Flavor. Freedom. Equality. That’s what MSG stands for from a moral standpoint, at least. As an acronym, it stands for monosodium glutamate.

What is MSG, really?

MSG is a white crystalline additive. It’s odorless and it doesn’t taste like anything on its own. But adding it to a dish enhances the food’s umami, the fifth basic taste (along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter). This means it adds a deep, savory, mouth-watering flavor.

What is MSG made of?

MSG is composed of sodium and L-glutamic acid, a nonessential amino acid that’s plentiful in umami-tastic foods like anchovies, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. While it’s naturally occurring in umami-rich foods, the stuff you buy in a shaker is made by humans. Originally, MSG was extracted from seaweed broth. But today, MSG is made by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses. It’s a byproduct of the fermentation process that is decolorized, filtered, and then crystalized. 

What foods contain MSG?

Though it’s often associated with Chinese food, MSG is actually pretty commonly added to canned vegetables, soups, and packaged foods. It’s also found in a lot of condiments and super-concentrated flavored foods like salad dressing, ketchup, and those glorious instant noodle seasoning packets. Although often found already integrated into packed or prepared foods, you can also buy straight MSG to sprinkle into recipes.

What is MSG used for?

Whether MSG is an ingredient in your recipe or shaken onto your food right before eating, the magnificent powder will enhance the savory, umami nature of whatever food it’s gracing. It also could be used as an aid in salt reduction. Despite having sodium in the name, MSG has only 12.28g of sodium per 100g, about a third of the sodium in table salt. So, making a bit of a swap can help elevate the flavor without elevating the sodium. 

Is MSG bad for you?

Definitely, yes, MSG can be bad for you but only in the way that everything CAN be bad for you under certain circumstances. On the whole, MSG has been unfairly demonized. 

MSG’s problematic public image began in the ‘60s when Chinese-American doctor Robert Ho Man Kwok wrote to the New England Journal of Medicine saying he got sick from Chinese food. We’ve also gotten sick from Chinese food, but we can’t blame it on MSG so much as we can from eating eight deep-fried egg rolls in one sitting. He believed that his symptoms could have been from alcohol, sodium, or MSG, and the ambiguous blame-game resulted in years of misinformation about the product.

Its bad rap intensified after it hitched its wagon to some “junk” foods. Foods that contain MSG are often highly processed convenience foods that are high in sodium, fat, and refined ingredients that taste delicious but make us feel a little sluggish the day after. Maybe it hung out with a bad crowd, but it’s got a good heart, we swear! 

Okay, but where’s the science? 

Concerns about MSG have been debated for years. The FDA has received reports about reactions that people have attributed to MSG-laden foods, but researchers haven’t found a clear link between the symptoms and MSG. 

In the ‘90s, the FDA asked the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology to look into MSG, and they concluded that it was safe. Some people did have reactions, but they were mild, short-lived, and associated with large doses that were consumed without food. That was about 3 grams of straight MSG, which is highly unlikely to be an issue considering that most recipes call for about half a teaspoon per pound of meat, to feed four to six people. Of course, there are people who are sensitive to MSG, and they should take that into consideration. Our official medical advice is “you do you.”

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Wicked Good Mini Chocolate Bars

Whether you interpret the “wicked good” descriptor as fun Halloween wordplay or a year-round compliment in Boston, this bag is still a great get. It includes 24 mini milk chocolate bars of four different varieties: nougat, nougat and caramel, peanut and caramel, and caramel and wafer. It’s the best Trader Joe’s chocolate candy to buy for trick-or-treaters (and maybe get an extra bag for yourself, because you deserve a treat, too).

Halloween Sprinkles

The day after Halloween, the shelves will inevitably be stuffed to the brim with Thanksgiving and Christmas. The skeletons decorations and fun-sized candies will be strewn carelessly into a clearance section. So, we must capitalize on Halloween while we can. One of the fastest, tastiest, crunchiest ways to do this is with—say it with us—shattered femurs! Whoops, we mean sprinkles! TJ’s bag of Halloween sprinkles is made up of brown bats, yellow jack-o-lanterns, and white ghosts that will look right at home as a topper to festive cookies, spooky sundaes, or honestly just a crunchy snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Halloween Joe-Joe’s

Yes, these are pretty much normal Joe-Joe’s. They’ve just got dyed cream and a different shaped cookie, so are they really worth the hype? Of course they are, and how dare you question the power of marketing! TJ’s took the tried-and-true Joe Joe and gave it a little Halloween tweak. The pumpkin spice Joe-Joe’s are there, as well, but Halloween Joe-Joe’s will always be welcome in our home.

Haunted House Chocolate Cookie Kit

Carving pumpkins is far too much work—and you can’t even eat them. Thank goodness for this haunted house chocolate cookie kit! It swaps out the warm and spicy gingerbread for a sweet chocolate option, and the jolly gumdrops for some Halloween classics like black cats and bats. To launch you right into the fun, it comes with prepared cookies, decorations, and icings that are ready to assemble and eat. Or just eat.

Halloween Gummies

We’ve all avoided the house that gave out vegetables to trick-or-treaters…until now. TJ’s Halloween gummies (some of the best Halloween candy to buy this year, per our ranking) are naturally colored with concentrates from previous trick-or-treat no-nos like carrots and apples, and come in pouches perfectly portioned to give away to the kiddos or pack in your own lunch. Because why should those costumed free-loaders be the only ones to reap the rewards of your hard-earned money and fought-for parking spot? The packs come with shapes like skulls, skeletons, bats, pumpkins, and spiders, so feel free to save the money of going to a horror movie by looking in the bag and imagining a world where all of those things are life-sized.

Spooky Bats & Cats Sour Gummy Candies

Halloween is fraught with so much sweetness that a sour bite is especially welcome. These bat and cat gummies are still sweet at their core, but, like Trader Joe’s celebrated Sour Scandinavian Swimmers, they’re covered in a sour sugar. With their zippy outer coating and sweet, chewy gummy interior, Sour Patch Kids better watch themselves because there’s a new sweet and sour Halloween treat in town. And these ones have an advantage because cats are so much more likable than people from the start.

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