Fall Favorite Returns to Trader Joe's—Not Everyone Is Happy

The last week has been plenty full of all things pumpkin news, and it's only about to ramp up. Dunkin' Donuts released its fall menu last week, and Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte is due out Aug. 27.

Of course, we're still in the middle of summer. Also, not for nothing, pumpkins seem to prematurely steal the show from September's seasonal favorite: The apple. The month that starts in summer and ends in fall is prime time for putting on your best straw hat, donning a short-sleeved sweater (because it may be cozy season, but it's still warm) and hitting up an apple orchard. It's also time to gobble up copious amounts of apple cider donuts.

If you don't have an orchard nearby, TJ's has you covered. Shoppers have started spying Trader Joe's apple cider donuts at stores, which is a sure sign of fall.

A new Redditor perfectly summed up the transitional period we're in with one post.

Related: When Do Pumpkin Spice Lattes Come Out In 2023?

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"A weird seasonal vortex here in Central Virginia — apple cider donuts and horchata ice cream [are] both in my cart," wrote u/Just_Hair6004 in the Trader Joe's subreddit. "Split and toast the donut. Top with a scoop of ice cream, [and] maybe add a grilled peach because my body is a temple."

While the original poster embraced late-summer and early-fall produce by blending peaches and apple-cider donuts, some fans aren't ready for apples.

"IT'S AUGUST AND 90 DEGREES OUT, MAKE IT STOP, AND I DON'T NEED HALLOWEEN CANDY YET EITHER," pleaded one impassioned Redditor.

"It's not even September yet," someone else pointed out.

After the summer stans weighed in, others hopped in to discuss the deliciousness (or lack thereof) of the donuts themselves. People seem to either love or loathe them.

"I don’t get the hype about these," wrote one.

"I tried these, and they were drier than the Sahara desert," agreed another. "I don’t get it either."

Dry was a common complaint in the subreddit.

"They are super dry," a Redditor said. "[They're] nothing compared to anything fresh, even worse than Entenmann's."

But there were definitely Team TJ's Cider Donuts in the group.

"Honestly, I was surprised by these last year—they were really good," wrote someone. "Obviously, [they're] not as good as warm out of the fryer, but worth buying."

Some Redditors even offered ideas on how to give Trader Joe's apple cider donuts that coveted, craveable fresh-baked feel.

"Toss one of those in an air fryer for [two] mins, and you’ve got yourself a treat," suggested another.

"These are on my top five TJ's products," wrote another fan. "I get them every year and hide them in the freezer for later. Just defrost [them] overnight and nuke them in the microwave for 10 seconds. "It tastes like a [freshly] made apple cinnamon donut."

The idea had one Redditor willing to give the controversial Trader Joe's donuts a go.

"Your recipe sounds so good," the person wrote. "[I] definitely want to try it with some plain vanilla ice cream."

Wait. We can all agree it's still ice cream season, right?

Next up: Trader Joe's Addresses Rumors of Checkout Lane Changes