Yahoo Finance 9 Valentine's Day Treats You Can Buy at Trader Joe's
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Love is in the air…at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. If you've been to TJ's recently, you've likely noticed a few Valentine's Day treats lining the aisles. No matter what your plans are this February 14, Trader Joe's has a little something for you and your loved ones, assuming you choose to share your holiday haul.
For example, chocolate lovers will want to be on the lookout for the Dark Chocolate Strawberry Bars. This new item, which is only available for a few weeks, features a dark chocolate base that perfectly complements the sweet filling made with strawberry juice concentrate, strawberry powder, and natural strawberry flavor. Additionally, each bar is topped with crunchy freeze-dried strawberry pieces, and is packaged in an adorable strawberry and paisley-patterned sleeve, which means it makes for a great gift for yourself or a loved one.
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And while most of Trader Joe's Valentine's Day offerings are of the sweet variety, the California-based chain also sells some savory options. One of our favorites is the new Italian Artisan Heart Shaped Pasta. Produced in Italy, these red and white pasta pieces can easily be transformed into a delicious and romantic meal. Pair this pasta with a simple pesto sauce, or toss it in some extra virgin olive oil and top it off with some freshly grated, quality Parmesan cheese. You won't be disappointed.
Keep reading for more can't miss Trader Joe's Valentine's Day finds!
Raspberry Hearts Cookies
Whether you're on the hunt for a sweet treat for yourself, or something to bring home to a loved one, these adorable heart-shaped cookies will do the trick. Each cookie is made with a combination of wheat and malted barley flours, which creates an irresistibly soft and crumbly texture. Sandwiched between the cookies is "the very best raspberry jam," which is, of course, made with real berries.
Dark Chocolate Strawberry Bar
Valentine's Day is nothing without chocolate, which is why we're glad Trader Joe's recently debuted these new chocolate bars. Each limited-edition bar contains a velvety base of dark chocolate made with 58 percent cacao that encases a sweet filling of strawberry juice concentrate, strawberry powder, and natural strawberry flavor. And that's not all! The back of every bar boasts pieces of freeze-dried strawberries, which makes this treat Instagram-worthy and adds a crunchy hint to every bite.
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Maison Barboulot Cabernet Syrah
If you want to crack open a bottle of wine this Valentine's Day, give the Maison Barboulot Cabernet Syrah a try. This red blend, which hails from southern France, is smooth and fruity, with ripe aromas of cherry and refined notes of vanilla on the palate. Pair it with a seared steak, or sip it solo whenever you get a hankering for a smooth red wine.
Chocolate Lava Cakes
Since Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year, a trip to your favorite romantic restaurant might not be in the cards. However, if you're in the market for a restaurant-quality dessert, pick up Trader Joe's Chocolate Lava Cakes ASAP. With two cakes per box, this treat is perfect for a pair of valentines or galentines. Each cake is filled with a rich, creamy chocolate ganache that practically melts in your mouth. The best part about these cakes is that all you need to do to prepare them is pop them in the microwave for less than a minute! You can find these beauties in the freezer section of your local TJ's.
Raspberry Mousse Cakes
Not a chocolate fan? No problem. Trader Joe's seasonal Raspberry Mousse Cakes will satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard. Each cake is made by a trained pastry chef (naturally) and features a thick layer of moist vanilla cake, which is topped with an even thicker layer of silky, raspberry-flavored mousse. Then, the whole treat is encased in a sweet, confectionary coating, and shaped just like a raspberry—complete with a green, edible, decorative leaf. The result is a light, delicate dessert you'll be craving long after Valentine's Day is over.
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Heart Shaped Macarons
As Trader Joe's dessert fans may know, the chain sells mouthwatering macarons in the freezer section year-round. However, there's a seasonal heart-shaped version of the classic French pastries available just in time for Valentine's Day. Each box contains eight treats in two different flavors—vanilla creme macaroons with a strawberry filling, and raspberry macarons with a raspberry creme filling.
Gummy Xs & Os
Gummy candy fans will be happy to know that Trader Joe's recently brought back the Gummy Xs & Os just in time for February 14. The cute candies are soft, chewy, and taste just like fruit. Save a few of these red, white, and pink treats for a festive midday snack, or sneak a few into your little one's lunch on Valentine's Day.
Italian Artisan Heart Shaped Pasta
Sure, the focus on Valentine's Day may be on the desserts, but you need a real meal, too. To keep things festive, pick up a bag of TJ's new Italian Artisan Heart Shaped Pasta, which comes straight from Italy. As you may have guessed, each red and white pasta piece is designed to look like a heart. The pasta is made with durum wheat semolina, and the red coloring is courtesy of a mixture of tomato powder and beet powder.
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Jumbo Valentines Mixed Bouquet
Don't sleep on Trader Joe's flower selection, especially since affordable Valentine's Day bouquets can be hard to come by as the holiday gets closer. Each Jumbo Mixed Bouquet includes a combination of top-bred roses, elegant lilies, mini calla lilies, bushy hydrangeas, and bright, hardy cocculus greens. While an arrangement like this could cost close to $40 at your neighborhood florist, TJ's is selling it for the very reasonable price of $19.99. That means you'll probably have some extra cash available to pick up one of the aforementioned desserts!
