Daily Meal Ranks 19 Trader Joe's Cookies, Crowned Laceys as Top Pick

Key points

• Wendy Hector of Daily Meal tasted and ranked 19 distinct Trader Joe's cookie varieties based on flavor, texture, and consistency.
• Laceys Cookies, a Florentine-style treat with dark chocolate and almonds, secured the number one spot for their superior quality and rich flavor.
• Chocolate & Peanut Butter Joe-Joe's Sandwich Cookies ranked second, praised for their balanced textures and decadent coating.
• The bottom three spots were taken by Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies, 'All the Things' Cookies, and French Chocolate Crepe Wafer Cookies, criticized for uneven fillings, chaotic flavor profiles, and brittle textures.
• The review noted that while some cookies like Fig Cookies and Snickerdoodles were decent, they failed to meet the high standards of their brand-name competitors or classic expectations.

Background

This review follows recent news regarding food safety at Trader Joe's, specifically the October 2026 confirmation by federal agencies that Tarragon Chicken Salad Wraps were the source of an E. coli outbreak. While that incident involved savory items, it highlights ongoing scrutiny of the retailer's product quality and safety standards.

Why it matters

The ranking provides consumers with a clear guide to navigating Trader Joe's extensive cookie selection, identifying which products offer the best value and flavor versus those that should be avoided. It also underscores the variability in quality within the store's private label offerings, where some items excel while others fail to meet basic expectations for consistency and taste.

What to watch

Consumers can use this ranking to make informed purchasing decisions at Trader Joe's, prioritizing top-rated items like Laceys Cookies and Way More Chocolate Chips Cookies while avoiding the lower-ranked varieties. The review may also influence future product formulations or discontinuations by Trader Joe's if consumer feedback highlights persistent issues with specific items.