It’s that time of year, when the world falls in love…with seasonal finds from Trader Joe’s. There are already countless holiday products hitting store shelves, including Sleigh Ride Cookies, Cranberry Pecan Muffins, and Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches. At first glance, it seems a pretty full spread well worth a little extending of your monthly grocery budget.
Of course, TJ’s isn’t the only store with a plethora of holiday goodies (looking at you, Costco holiday cookie platter), but it may be the most beloved. At least, it usually is–but one glaring omission from its seasonal supply has fans in an uproar, us included. If you try to stay in-the-know about all things Trader Joe’s, you’ve probably already heard the hubbub surrounding the absence of this holiday favorite. If you haven’t, we’re very sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s Aren’t Returning in 2025
Grab a tissue for your peppermint-laden tears, and perhaps a shoulder to cry on–Trader Joe’s won’t be bringing back its Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s this year, and you’re not alone in your heartbreak. The seasonal treat, which featured chocolate cookies around vanilla cream studded with candy cane pieces, seemed a shoo-in for the holiday season. So, where did it go?
According to our sister brand, People, a Trader Joe’s spokesperson confirmed the cookies weren’t simply overlooked. It seems that they were actually slated to be part of the holiday product line, but were pulled at the last minute. The spokesperson said this year’s batch “didn’t meet our standards, so we made the decision to remove them from our shelves.”
We know what you’re thinking—what quality issue could possibly plague these treats so badly that they were removed from the lineup? Speculation runs the gamut from “too much peppermint” in the Joe-Joe’s to a simple mass packaging error, and even boxes arriving at the stores already opened. One Redditor chimed in with their two cents, saying, “I bought a box of these early in the season and took one bite and threw them out because they tasted like medicine. I would believe this after that!”
Whatever the reason for the product’s absence, fans are none too happy about it. “So sad, I live for them,” lamented another Reddit user in the thread. Others added, “Those are the only Jo-Jo’s I buy! Was the Grinch baking?” and “I’m so upset! I look forward to these all year and I don’t like the chocolate covered ones.”
How Can You Enjoy Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s This Year?
Fortunately, it would seem that all is not lost for fans of the holiday treat. While the regular version of the Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s may be a candy cane no-go, you can still get a taste of your holiday fave if you’re willing to make a little compromise. The gluten-free version of the cookie has returned to shelves as scheduled this year, as has the dark chocolate-covered version. Another option for ice cream lovers is the store’s beloved Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s Ice Cream.
Willing to venture even further outside your Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s safe zone? You could try the chain’s seasonal Sleigh Ride Cookies, which feature broken pieces of the cookie inside a sugar cookie dough base. The result is a crunchy treat that won’t give an exact dupe of your holiday indulgence, but who knows? Maybe it’ll make a new one.
