Trader Joe’s doesn’t just sell ice cream—they’ve turned it into an art form. Their frozen aisle is packed with everything from nostalgic classics to bold, unexpected creations that somehow just work.
After countless spoonfuls (and a few brain freezes), I’ve tasted my way through the entire lineup to bring you the ultimate ranking of Trader Joe’s ice creams actually worth hoarding. Your freezer’s about to get a serious upgrade.
1. Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream
Crown jewel of the TJ’s freezer section! This mind-blowing creation transforms that famous spiced cookie spread into creamy frozen magic. Ribbons of actual cookie butter swirl through vanilla-kissed base that somehow captures the soul of those addictive little spice cookies.
The texture hits that perfect balance between rich and light, never too dense or airy. Cookie chunks provide just enough textural contrast without turning into frozen tooth-breakers.
2. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
Holy mouthgasm! These aren’t your childhood ice cream sandwiches—they’re what happens when those nostalgic treats grow up and go to culinary school. Two perfectly chewy chocolate chip cookies embrace vanilla ice cream that’s inexplicably richer than anything that should be legal at this price point.
The cookies maintain their texture even when frozen (pure sorcery). No sad, soggy edges here! The vanilla filling tastes like actual vanilla beans were sacrificed for your pleasure.
3. Ube Ice Cream
Purple potato ice cream sounds like a fever dream, but this vibrant violet creation is dessert revelation! The Filipino yam flavor delivers a nutty, vanilla-adjacent taste that’s hauntingly complex without being weird. First-timers often stare suspiciously at the electric purple hue before becoming instant converts.
The texture deserves special praise—silky smooth with zero ice crystals even after weeks in your freezer (if it somehow lasts that long). Each spoonful delivers a subtle sweetness that never overwhelms.
4. Mint Chip Ice Cream
Fresh revelation alert: Mint ice cream doesn’t have to taste like frozen toothpaste! TJ’s version uses real mint that delivers garden-fresh flavor without that artificial mouthwash vibe most competitors can’t escape.
Weirdly magnificent served with hot espresso poured over top. The mint-coffee combo sounds bizarre but creates an unexpected flavor alchemy that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about dessert pairings.
5. Chocolate Chip Hold The Cone!
Portion control for people who have none! These miniature marvels pack full-sized flavor into three-bite wonders. The chocolate-lined waffle cones maintain miraculous crispness, avoiding the dreaded sogginess that ruins lesser ice cream cones.
Vanilla ice cream studded with actual chocolate chips (not sad chocolate dust) fills each cone, topped with a chocolate cap that shatters satisfyingly with each bite. The ratio of components is mathematically perfect—cone to ice cream to chocolate topping in harmonious balance.
6. Coffee Bean Blast Ice Cream
Coffee ice cream for people who actually like coffee! None of that weak cafe-adjacent flavor—this packs an espresso punch that’ll wake your taste buds right up. Actual coffee bean pieces provide delightful crunch and intense bursts of flavor that coffee purists will appreciate.
The base achieves that elusive creamy-yet-light texture that prevents palate fatigue. You can actually finish a bowl without feeling like you need a nap afterward.
7. Figo! Half Dipped Chocolate & Vanilla Sandwich Bars
Italian gelato bars that somehow survived corporate translation without losing their soul! These half-chocolate-dipped sandwiches feature vanilla gelato between two chocolate wafers, then partially enrobed in chocolate that shatters like expensive chocolate bark.
The gelato achieves that magical density that only proper Italian-style frozen treats nail—denser than ice cream but somehow less heavy on the palate. Each bite delivers perfect wafer-to-gelato-to-chocolate ratios.
8. Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches
Caffeinated dessert nirvana! These sophisticated sammies pair coffee ice cream with thin brownie wafers that somehow remain crisp despite their frozen state. The textural contrast between crunchy brownie and smooth coffee cream creates multilayered bliss with each bite.
Coffee flavor hits that perfect middle ground—robust enough for coffee lovers but not so intense it alienates the caffeine-cautious. The brownies deliver concentrated chocolate flavor without becoming tooth-breakingly hard when frozen.
9. Wildberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Berry explosion meets cheesecake decadence! Tangy cream cheese base swirled with three berry varieties creates a frozen cheesecake experience without the graham cracker heartbreak. The berries maintain their bright, fresh flavor without tasting like jam or syrup.
Surprisingly versatile as a dessert base! Try topping warm brownies with a scoop for an elevated sundae, or sandwich between graham crackers for DIY cheesecake sandwiches. The tanginess cuts through other sweet desserts beautifully.
10. Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s Ice Cream
Christmas in a pint, available year-round! Peppermint ice cream studded with chunks of those addictive Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s cookies creates a frozen cookies-and-cream upgrade that’ll make you forget Oreos exist. The cookies maintain their structure without turning to mush.
Peppermint flavor strikes perfect balance—festive without tasting like you’re eating frozen mouthwash. Little candy cane pieces add colorful pops and crunch throughout.
11. Golden Caramel Swirl Ice Cream
Caramel done right! Forget those anemic caramel swirls in other brands—TJ’s version features thick ribbons of buttery, slightly salty caramel that maintain their gooey texture even when frozen. The vanilla base provides the perfect neutral canvas without fading into the background.
The caramel actually tastes like it was made in a copper pot by someone who cares, not squirted from a factory tube. You get genuine burnt sugar complexity rather than just sweetness.
12. Strawberry Hold The Cone!
Strawberry version of these tiny treasures delivers nostalgic joy in portion-controlled packaging! The chocolate-lined cones prevent leaking while adding cocoa richness that elevates the simple vanilla filling. Perfect for kids or adults who appreciate dessert moderation without sacrifice.
Each cone provides just enough satisfaction to curb sweet cravings without sending you into sugar overload. The chocolate cap on top adds textural contrast that makes each bite more interesting than standard ice cream cones.
13. Horchata Ice Cream
Cinnamon rice milk transformed into frozen form! This unique flavor captures the essence of traditional horchata—cinnamon-forward with hints of vanilla and that distinctive rice milk base. Not overly sweet, allowing the spice notes to shine through.
Surprisingly light texture makes this less of a gut-bomb than most premium ice creams. The cinnamon distributes evenly throughout rather than concentrating in unpleasant pockets. Excellent pairing ice cream!
14. Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream
Southern dessert classic in frozen form! Real banana flavor (not that artificial yellow candy taste) mingles with vanilla pudding notes and actual vanilla wafer cookie pieces throughout. The cookies soften slightly but maintain enough structure to provide textural interest.
The banana intensity hits the sweet spot—present enough to identify immediately but not so strong it tastes like frozen baby food. Subtle caramelized notes suggest perfectly ripened bananas were sacrificed for this creation.
15. French Vanilla Ice Cream
Sometimes simplicity wins! TJ’s French vanilla nails the classics with a rich, eggy base that puts basic vanilla to shame. Those telltale yellow flecks throughout signal real vanilla bean usage—no artificial nonsense here.
Velvety texture coats your palate without feeling heavy or greasy. The flavor profile leans toward custard rather than plain sweetened cream, with subtle complexity that develops as it melts. While it might seem boring compared to flashier flavors, this reliable standby earns its place through sheer quality and adaptability.