This Trader Joe's Cookbook Uses the Store's Most Popular Items, and Yes, There's Cookie Butter
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Any Trader Joe's fan knows that the love you have for the popular grocery store runs deep. TJ food runs are so fun because you usually find new gems that you weren't expecting, and you can always count on them to keep things fresh and interesting with their flavors. But did you know that there are entire cookbooks dedicated to using beloved TJ ingredients in recipes?! Kelsey Lynch's Cooking Through Trader Joe's Cookbook ($22) features tons of recipes using Trader Joe's most popular products, from their classic cookie butter to their infamous Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. These unique ingredients come together to create unexpected plates that are perfect for holiday potlucks, shareable appetizers, or quick snacks to get you through the work day.
Lynch began her cooking journey through her own adoration for the grocery chain, developing Trader Joe's Food Reviews on both Instagram and TikTok, where she reviews classic products like the Cacio e Pepe Ravioli and seasonal favorites like the Apple Cider Donuts. She quickly gained a cult following for her truthful, fun, no-holds-barred approach (the donuts "fall short" while the ravioli evokes dinners in Italy), and her cookbook is just as creative as her reviews. POPSUGAR recently spoke to Lynch about her favorite recipes from her book, including the "secret weapon" brioche bread she uses for her Vanilla Bourbon Brioche French Toast and her "appetizer heaven" Everything But the Bagel Soft Pretzels and Beer Cheese. Ahead, find some of the best recipes from the book plus Lynch's inspiration for creating them. Now you'll just have to scour Trader Joe's aisles to try some of these fun meals for yourself!
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Cooking Through Trader Joe's Cookbook
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Vanilla Bourbon Brioche French Toast
This vanilla bourbon-infused French toast uses Trader Joe's fresh, buttery brioche bread, which Lynch described to POPSUGAR as her "secret weapon for perfect French toast every time." A reinvented classic, this breakfast recipe is perfect for cozy mornings at home.
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Cookie Butter Swirl Crepes
Trader Joe's Cookie Butter is basically heaven in a jar, and when combined with crepes, the result is even more incredible. Lynch told POPSUGAR that her Cookie Butter Swirl Crepes are an homage to her childhood in Colorado, where she would "wake up on Christmas morning to a magical winter wonderland covered in a shimmering, white blanket of snow" and prepare crepes with her family. Great for the holidays with hints of warm vanilla and cinnamon, these are just like gingerbread in crepe form.
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Everything But the Bagel Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels and an accompanying cheese dip are already perfect, but Lynch's recipe takes them over the top with the addition of Trader Joe's classic Everything But the Bagel seasoning. With an incomparable flavor, Lynch herself told us "these are the best soft pretzels in the world" and are "perfectly soft, doughy, and seasoned wonderfully." Make her beer cheese dip and serve these to friends — they'll go fast.
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Hot Honey Bomba Fried Chicken Sandwich
If you want some spice in your life, why not try out this spicy-sweet fried chicken sandwich? This sandwich checks all the boxes for fun dinner nights or a game day lunch, featuring drizzled hot honey, crunchy fried chicken, and Trader Joe's super-spicy bomba peppers. About this recipe, Lynch told us that "the sweetness of the honey paired with the spice of the bomba peppers is unparalleled when combined with well-seasoned fried chicken," and we couldn't agree more. Serve these with crispy fries on the side, and prepare to want to make these every weekend.