The vegan dessert world has truly transformed from bland and dry to just as extraordinary, if not better, than regular desserts. Trader Joe’s is known for selling a variety of alternative foods, but does Trader Joe’s have vegan cupcakes?
Trader Joe’s has stocked vegan cupcakes in the past, but as with many Trader Joe’s products, they didn’t last forever on the shelves. These vegan cupcakes, along with all vegan cupcakes, were deliciously sweet treats made with no animal products or byproducts. Even though vegan cupcakes aren’t always available at Trader Joe’s, there are always sweet vegan-friendly treats.
The good news is that Trader Joe’s consistently has vegan-friendly foods that are both savory and sweet as well as plenty of ingredients to use to make vegan cupcakes at home.
Trader Joe’s and its Products
Trader Joe’s is known for having a wide selection of products that are unique and hard to find at other grocery retailers. Stock will often vary from store to store and product selection changes all the time.
Trader Joe’s carries a lot of different brands while simultaneously releasing food and other food-related products under their own Trader Joe’s label.
Trader Joe’s selects their products with very high standards, always looking to bring in a diverse array of products.
The retailer also makes sure to have enough selection for alternative diets and dietary restrictions or allergies. It’s a very friendly shop for people who have allergies, sensitivities, or a special diet that eliminates certain food groups.
Vegan Cupcakes: What Are They?
Vegan cupcakes are made without any animal based products. This means that no eggs, milk, or butter are used in the recipe.
Furthermore, all frosting, icing, and decorations used such as chocolates or sprinkles are vegan as well, so no dairy, egg, or gelatin is used. Recipes are pretty varied in terms of what is used as a substitute for eggs and dairy.
Instead of eggs, vegan cupcakes can be made using vegetable oil, coconut oil, applesauce, or a vegan egg substitute.
Oils and applesauce can also add moisture and depth with butter being eliminated from the recipe, though there are many vegan butters that taste the exact same. Cow’s milk can be swapped for oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk.
Outside of batter, there are plenty of store bought, pre made frostings and icings that happen to be vegan. Dark chocolate or cocoa powder can make a delicious chocolate cupcake.
It might be a little bit harder to find vegan sprinkles, fondant, or cupcake decorations, but they do exist. Since vegan baking has become so popular, more shops are carrying plant-based or vegan versions of beloved foods.
Trader Joe’s and Vegan Products
Trader Joe’s consistently releases vegan products under their label while also offering products from other brands on their shelves.
The availability of their vegan selections will change from store to store as each store buys based on factors such as neighborhood, what sells, and what’s available in the area.
Some of the vegan products Trader Joe’s offers include vegan cheesecake, vegan ice cream, and vegan chocolate.
The grocery chain also stocks a plethora of vegan baked goods including cookies and cakes on occasion. Additionally, stores will also have a variety of vegan alternatives to dairy and animal based foods as well as savory vegan foods.
Does Trader Joe’s Have Vegan Cupcakes?
Trader Joe’s has released vegan cupcakes in the past but they do not currently stock them. They were available in select locations, many of which were in California.
It’s unfortunate because their vegan vanilla cupcakes were a huge hit amongst vegans and non-vegans. The cupcakes were simple and came in packs of four with white frosting and rainbow sprinkles. They were inexpensive and very delicious.
It’s unknown for certain why Trader Joe’s no longer sells these vegan cupcakes since they were so beloved by a wide variety of customers.
However, Trader Joe’s does share that they will usually filter out products that don’t perform well. Furthermore, they will send products to specific stores based on what customers seem to purchase more often.
This means that areas where a lot of customers purchase animal-free products will likely be the first to receive new vegan products. In order to stay fresh and innovative, Trader Joe’s changes their selection often which customers have come to expect.
When a golden item such as their vegan cupcakes get discontinued, however, it can still be disappointing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Trader Joe’s Have Vegan Dessert?
Trader Joe’s has a nice selection of vegan foods including vegan desserts. Their vegan candy bars and chocolates as well as their vegan ice cream are big hits amongst customers.
The store also has a plethora of pre-made desserts and dessert mixes to make at home. A lot of their vegan desserts are oat-based, which tends to be a tastier option for desserts.
Does Trader Joe’s Have Vegan Cookies?
Unsurprisingly, part of Trader Joe’s vegan offerings includes some vegan cookies. Some of their selection includes classics like an off-brand Oreo cookie, chocolate chip cookies, and shortbread, all made with no animal byproducts.
What’s The Difference Between Vegan Cupcakes and Regular Cupcakes?
The only real difference between vegan cupcakes and regular cupcakes are the ingredients used in the batter, flavorings, and any additions like frosting or sprinkles.
Vegan cupcakes are still able to be made soft, moist and flavorful without any animal byproducts.
Final Thoughts
As of right now, Trader Joe’s no longer sells their vegan cupcakes. Since so many customers were sad to see those cupcakes go, there’s some hope that Trader Joe’s will bring them back to stores. These cupcakes were simple but satisfied cupcake cravings for people who abide by a vegan diet as well as non-vegans.
For now, shoppers can still satisfy their sweet tooth with other offerings from Trader Joe’s, whether they search for another vegan sweet or purchase the ingredients to make their own vegan cupcakes.
No matter how often Trader Joe’s changes what they stock on the shelves, they always have plenty of vegan treats available.
