Trader Joe’s is known for having unique and seasonal products that customers eagerly await each year. One such beloved Trader Joe’s treat is their corn cookies. These sweet corn-flavored cookies have a soft, cakey texture and slight crunchy corn bits throughout. They are a popular seasonal item that fans look forward to stocking up on each summer.
When are Trader Joe’s corn cookies available?
Trader Joe’s corn cookies are considered a summer seasonal product. They first start appearing on store shelves in mid to late June. The cookies remain in stock through August or September, before disappearing for the year once all remaining inventory sells out.
Trader Joe’s usually brings the corn cookies back each year in June and keeps them in stores through the end of summer. However, the exact timing of when they show up and sell out can vary a bit year to year.
Why are Trader Joe’s corn cookies seasonal?
There are a few likely reasons why Trader Joe’s corn cookies are only available during the summer:
- Ingredients – Corn is a summer crop, so fresh sweet corn may be more readily available and at peak flavor during the summer months. Trader Joe’s may time the cookies’ production to make the most of fresh sweet corn.
- Seasonal interest – Trader Joe’s often brings back seasonal products to take advantage of people’s tendencies to associate certain flavors with summer. The fresh sweet corn flavor taps into summer nostalgia.
- Limited supply – Trader Joe’s may only get a limited supply of the corn cookies from their supplier. Producing them year-round could lead to inventory issues.
- Increased demand – Shoppers tend to buy more of the corn cookies in the hot summer months when people want cooling treats. Trader Joe’s stocks them then to meet higher demand.
By making the corn cookies a summer exclusive item, Trader Joe’s builds seasonal hype and excitement for them each year. Their temporary availability prompts customers to stock up and indulge while they can.
What do Trader Joe’s corn cookies taste like?
Trader Joe’s corn cookies have a sweet corn flavor that many customers describe as nostalgic. The cookies taste like summer thanks to the prominent corn flavor. They are moist and cakey on the inside with a slightly crunchy sugary corn flake topping.
Here’s how some Trader Joe’s fans describe the corn cookie taste:
- “Sweet and corny with a cake-like texture.”
- “The corn flavor literally tastes like you canned sweet summer corn and turned it into a cookie.”
- “Soft and chewy with crispy edges and big bursts of corn flavor.”
- “Sweet, vanilla-y corn vibes.”
- “Like a corn muffin in cookie form.”
The corn cookies have a sugar cookie-style base enhanced by corn. They satisfy cravings for classic sweet baked goods with an extra touch of summer.
Nutrition information
Here is the nutrition information for Trader Joe’s corn cookies according to the product packaging:
| Serving size | 1 cookie (28g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total fat | 4g |
| Saturated fat | 2g |
| Trans fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 65mg |
| Total carbs | 18g |
| Dietary fiber | 0g |
| Total sugars | 10g |
| Includes added sugars | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
As we can see, the cookies are high in sugar, providing 10g per cookie. They have 120 calories per cookie with 4g of fat and 0g fiber. The corn cookies make for a tasty sweet treat but are best enjoyed in moderation.
Ingredients
Trader Joe’s corn cookies contain the following ingredients:
- Unbleached enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Sweet corn
- Palm oil
- Water
- Contains 2% or less of each of the following: salt, baking soda, ammonium bicarbonate, nonfat milk, soy lecithin, natural and artificial flavor, butter oil
- Sugar topping mix (sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s glaze, salt, dextrose, soy lecithin, artificial color (yellow #5 and yellow #6), natural and artificial flavor)
The cookies contain wheat flour as the main ingredient, plus sugar, corn, palm oil, and water. The added corn bits and sweet corn flavor provide the signature taste. There are also emulsifiers like soy lecithin, artificial colors and flavors, and enriched wheat flour.
Where to find Trader Joe’s corn cookies
Trader Joe’s corn cookies can be found in the bakery or cookie section at Trader Joe’s stores. They are typically displayed on shelves near other seasonal baked goods.
The cookies come in a clear plastic container with Trader Joe’s labeling. A rectangular container holds about 10-12 ounces of cookies. Since the cookies are a Trader Joe’s exclusive product, they are not available anywhere else besides Trader Joe’s markets.
How much do Trader Joe’s corn cookies cost?
A 10-12 ounce container of Trader Joe’s corn cookies usually costs between $2.99 – $3.49. The exact price can vary a bit by location. But in general, expect to pay around $3 for a package of the cookies.
Sometimes Trader Joe’s will offer special discounted pricing on the corn cookies or include them in overall bakery promotions. For example, they may be priced at $2.99 or even $2.49 for a week or two to move more inventory. So keep an eye out for occasional corn cookie sales.
Tips for enjoying Trader Joe’s corn cookies
Here are some tips for enjoying Trader Joe’s delicious corn cookies:
- Store tightly sealed at room temperature – Keep the cookies in their original packaging stored at room temp to maintain optimal freshness and texture.
- Warm them up – Microwave individual cookies for 5-10 seconds to warm them up and make them extra soft and chewy.
- Pair with cold milk – Cold milk perfectly balances the sweet corny flavor.
- Use as ice cream toppings – Crush up the cookies to make crunchy corn cookie ice cream toppings.
- Incorporate into desserts – Add crumbled corn cookies into ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, trifles, etc.
- Bake corn cookie sandwiches – Make mini ice cream sandwiches by putting ice cream between two corn cookies.
- Enjoy ASAP – These cookies are best when fresh, so try to eat them within a few days of opening.
- Freeze extras – Freeze surplus cookies to enjoy later and extend their lifespan.
Corn cookie copycat recipe
Since the corn cookies are only available for a short time, having a copycat recipe is useful for when cravings strike during the rest of the year. Here is a recipe to recreate the sweet corny taste at home:
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1⁄2 cups frozen or canned corn kernels, drained if canned
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the corn kernels.
- Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until lightly browned on the edges.
- Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
These homemade corn cookies will satisfy your cravings when Trader Joe’s popular seasonal version is not available. Enjoy the sweet corn flavor all year long!
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s corn cookies are a beloved warm-weather treat that customers eagerly await each summer. The cookies feature a sweet corn flavor and cakey texture that provides nostalgic taste of summer. Trader Joe’s brings them back seasonally each June through August or September to take advantage of the heightened demand when fresh corn is in season. Fans stock up on these limited-edition treats and enjoy finding creative ways to use them. With proper storage, you can make each pack last a little longer. And the copycat recipe lets you recreate the magic anytime a corn cookie craving strikes.
