Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Joe Joe’s

This fall, Oreos made their bug announcement that they were releasing a pumpkin spice flavor. Other than Golden Oreos and the white chocolate dipped ones, I do not like the different varieties of Oreos; their cream fillings always taste heavily artificial to me. However, I was ready to shamelessly throw out those convictions in the name of pumpkin. The only thing standing in my way – finding the cookies! I have searched Targets and Wegmans’ galore fruitlessly. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw pumpkin sandwich cookies during a random trip to Trader Joe’s.

Now, I have no idea if Pumpkin Joe Joe’s happened as a result of Pumpkin Spice Oreos, but I am just happy that they exist. My mother is not a pumpkin enthusiast, but even she could not wait until we got home to try them. So like mature adults, we opened them up and tried them as soon as we got in the car. The cookies could be a festive car freshener. The aroma was delectable, sweet and cinnamony. Nothing could have prepared me for how good the cookies would truly be. The cookie portion is buttery, and the cream holds the glorious pumpkin and its spices. And the cream is soft! When I bit the cookie, the cream spread. That probably is not a big deal, but I have never had a store bought sandwich cookie in which the cream can move. You really know all the ingredients at Trader Joe’s are real.

I really cannot speak highly enough about these. They are literally autumnal joy in a cookie.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Joe Joe’s: 5/5

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Toaster Pastries

Now, if you have read my past blog posts, you know how I feel about Pumpkin Pie Poptarts. They were without a doubt my favorite pumpkin find of 2011 and the Poptart of all Poptarts. So I know this may come as a shock, but I like these a lot better!

Calorically, they are no different, but the ingredients are all organic. And you can tell.

The crust, made from wheat flour, tastes like pie crust, especially toasted. I toasted mine in a toaster oven because I read in another review that the icing may slide off, and I did not want to risk that (my little sister used the toaster, and it was fine). The icing was not overly sweet, and I would actually call it a glaze because it reminded me of the glaze on a Krispy Kreme. And the filling was nothing short of pumpkin-y, nutmeg-y goodness. My sister liked them very much as well, though she did say they tasted more like pumpkin Toast ‘Ems than Pumpkin Poptarts.

I always liked Toast ‘Ems better.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Toaster Pastries: 5/5

Magnolia Bakery’s Pumpkin Cupcake

The best part about having a specific obsession is no matter how much you’re teased about it, people love to feed it. And the other week, my high school best friend’s mother surprised me with a pumpkin cupcake from Magnolia Bakery (popularized by Sex and the City, my friend’s favorite show).

What I really love about this cupcake is its size. It’s just refreshing to see a cupcake that isn’t overwhelming. I also was happy to see it is a natural shade of orange, so I know the pumpkin is real. And the pumpkin flavor comes through nicely, as well as the nutmeg and cinnamon. My only problem with this cupcake is that it has both raisin and cream cheese frosting, which made me think of carrot cake, no matter how prominent the pumpkin was. I personally would have omitted the raisins. That being said, I ate it gingerly and definitely recommend it.

Magnolia Bakery Pumpkin Cupcake: 4.5/5