It’s not often we get excited about granola. But when we spotted this new(ish) product from Trader Joe’s on the shelf we couldn’t resist. Cinnamon roll granola? There couldn’t be two more disparate foods; granola is crunchy, dry, and “healthy;” cinnamon rolls are soft, oozing with icing, and most certainly not good for you health-wise (they’re very good for you emotionally, especially if you’re eating one at a mall food court after striking out while searching for the perfect pair of jeans). And yet, Trader Joe’s claims that they have combined the two foods into one snackable cluster. Did they do it? Read on to find out.
New Product!
Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Roll Drizzled Granola
In short: This rules. The Sporked team as a whole loved every morsel. The clusters are soft and chewy and they really look exactly like the ones on the bag. Senior staff writer Jordan Myrick took a bite and exclaimed that they tested exactly like a cinnamon bun. “Especially the frosting,” they noted. I don’t know about that. I think half the appeal of a cinnamon bun is the doughy texture, and these granola clusters, while soft, are not doughy. But the essence is certainly there. They’re sweet and spiced with cinnamon and the yogurt drizzle is absolutely delicious. It would be very easy to go through an entire bag of these in one sitting. Managing editor Gwynedd Stuart stressed that it would be particularly easy if you were under the influence of a certain herb. It might not replace your morning granola, if that’s your thing, but it definitely deserves a place in your snacking arsenal.
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Justine Sterling
Griffin Parker
Jordan Myrick
Gwynedd Stuart
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!