8 Trader Joe’s Valentine’s Day Items To Buy And 5 To Skip

Finding the perfect balance of sweet treats and savory eats at Trader Joe’s can be tricky.

This 2026 Valentine’s Day guide highlights the must-buy seasonal gems and which items are better left on the shelf.

Dark Chocolate Heart Cookies – $3.99/10 Oz

• Description: Crunchy chocolate shortbread cookies shaped like hearts, coated in a thick layer of rich dark chocolate and topped with festive nonpareil sprinkles.

• The Buzz: Fans are calling these a “chocolate lover’s dream” for their satisfying snap and high-quality cocoa finish.

• Rating: 5/5

• Verdict: Buy. They are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for parties or a cozy coffee pairing.

Ricotta Cuoricini Ravioli – $3.99/8.8 Oz

• Description: Imported from Italy, these vibrant red, heart-shaped pasta shells are stuffed with creamy ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a hint of balsamic vinegar.

• The Buzz: The addition of balsamic inside the filling provides a sophisticated, tangy surprise that elevates a standard pasta night.

• Rating: 4.5/5

• Verdict: Buy. Perfect for a quick but “fancy-feeling” romantic dinner at home.

Heart Shaped Macarons – $5.99/4.23 Oz

• Description: A box of eight delicate French-style macarons featuring two flavor profiles: vanilla crème with strawberry filling and raspberry with raspberry crème.

• The Buzz: Sourced from a Belgian bakery, these are praised for their authentic chewy texture and adorable aesthetic.

• Rating: 4.8/5

• Verdict: Buy. A high-end dessert experience for a fraction of the boutique bakery price.

Dark Chocolate Caramel Hearts – $1.99/2.5 Oz

• Description: Bite-sized dark chocolate hearts filled with a smooth, buttery caramel center.

• The Buzz: At under $2, these are considered the best “stocking stuffer” for Valentine’s gift bags this year.

• Rating: 4/5

• Verdict: Buy. Stock up on these for coworkers, teachers, or your own late-night snack stash.

Milk Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Hearts – $4.49/7.05 Oz

• Description: Soft, strawberry-flavored marshmallows dipped in a creamy milk chocolate coating.

• The Buzz: A new 2026 addition that provides a nostalgic, fluffy texture contrast that kids and adults both love.

• Rating: 4.2/5

• Verdict: Buy. If you enjoy the classic “Peeps” vibe but want a significant quality upgrade.

Raspberry Mousse Cakes – $3.99/5 Oz

• Description: Individual layers of moist vanilla cake topped with a thick dome of tart raspberry mousse and a sweet confectionary coating.

• The Buzz: These returning favorites disappear from shelves quickly because they look as good as they taste.

• Rating: 4.7/5

• Verdict: Buy. Grab them early in the month before they sell out for the season.

Cocoa Truffles with Maple Sugar – $4.49/8.8 Oz

• Description: Rich, velvety cocoa truffles infused with crunchy maple sugar crystals for a unique textural experience.

• The Buzz: The maple sugar adds a “deep, autumnal sweetness” that sets these apart from standard chocolate truffles.

• Rating: 4.4/5

• Verdict: Buy. A sophisticated choice for anyone tired of basic Valentine’s candy.

Sugar Cookie Dough Hearts – $3.99/10.8 Oz

• Description: Ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough featuring a pre-pressed pink heart design in the center of each round.

• The “Buzz”: Praised by busy parents for being the easiest way to get “picture-perfect” cookies on the table in 15 minutes.

• Rating: 4/5

• Verdict: Buy. The ultimate low-effort, high-reward holiday activity.

Jelly Bean Hearts – $1.49/3.9 Oz

• Description: Large, heart-shaped jelly beans made with fruit juice concentrates and natural flavors.

• The Buzz: Reviewers find these “overly chewy” and difficult to eat compared to standard-sized jelly beans.

• Rating: 2/5

• Verdict: Skip. The flavors are hard to distinguish, and the texture is a bit of a workout for your jaw.

Raspberry Hearts Cookies – $5.99/16 Oz

• Description: Shortbread sandwich cookies with a small dollop of raspberry jam in the center.

• The Buzz: Frequently criticized for being “crumbly and dry” with an insufficient amount of jam to balance the dough.

• Rating: 2.5/5

• Verdict: Skip. While they look cute on a plate, the eating experience is often disappointing and bland.

Cinnamon Twist Danish – $9.99/21.16 Oz

• Description: A massive, one-pound danish filled with cinnamon custard-style filling.

• The Buzz: Though impressive in size, many find it too sweet and heavy for a morning treat.

• Rating: 3/5

• Verdict: Skip. Unless you are feeding a very large group, it’s a lot of “sugar overload” that goes stale quickly.

Valentine Sprinkle – $1.99/4 Oz

• Description: A seasonal mix of heart-shaped sprinkles in shades of white, pink, and deep red.

• The Buzz: While festive, critics point out it’s essentially the same as the “Holiday” version, just in different colors.

• Rating: 3/5

• Verdict: Skip. You likely already have something similar in your pantry that works just as well.

Italian Tiramisu for Two – $5.99/13.05 Oz

• Description: A frozen, layered dessert with mascarpone and coffee-soaked ladyfingers, designed to be shared.

• The Buzz: Customers often complain that the “thaw and serve” process leaves the ladyfingers soggy rather than delicate.

• Rating: 2.8/5

• Verdict: Skip. You’re better off buying the individual components or a fresh version from the bakery section.