It tastes homemade.
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As a rambunctious, wonder-filled kid growing up in the sticky, cling-to-your-skin humidity of deep south Georgia, I was fortunate enough to spend lots of time at my grandparent's house swinging from their giant, scraggly pecan tree.
Each year, just before Thanksgiving, I’d anxiously wait for the mammoth tree to drop its annual offering of rich, buttery pecans from the canopy above so that my grandma could whip up her famous pecan pie. It was a signifier that cozy season had officially set in and that each day after would feel like nothing more than a warm hug—the kind of hug only grandma could give.
Although some time has passed and that hulking pecan tree doesn’t bear any viable fruit anymore—and my grandma can no longer make us that magnificent hug of a pie—the taste of that sugary, sweet, buttery pecan-laced pie will be embedded in my DNA until the end of time.
No other pecan pie has ever come close, but that hasn’t stopped me from searching high and low for an adequate replacement. Thankfully, just in time for the start of the season, Trader Joe’s dropped a new Teeny Tiny Pecan Pie that tastes almost as good as my grandma’s—and that’s quite the accomplishment.
Simply Recipes / Trader Joes
Trader Joe’s Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies
- Price: $4.99 for four small pies
- Why I Love Them: They remind me of my grandmother's pecan pie, and they're even better warmed up.
Why I Love Trader Joe's Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies
These marvelous itsy-bitsy two-bite pies are the perfect something extra to add to your Thanksgiving dessert spread, and they’re a great late-night treat if you’re craving something sweet. Each box features four miniature pies for a meager $4.99, which works out to just under $1.25 per treat.
At first glance, I was immediately drawn to their glorious golden crust and the lustrous sheen of the brown sugar and pecan studded filling. Looks can be deceiving, however, so I was still a bit skeptical that these teeny tiny pies would be as good as the ones my grandma used to make. I’m happy to report that I was proven very wrong.
After taking a bite of one of these cuties straight out of the box, I was immediately transported back to my grandma’s kitchen, where we would shell pecans for pie into a giant stainless steel bowl. It was a magical experience, to say the least.
These little wonders are the perfect balance of sweet and caramel mixed with the nutty flavor of pecans. To test their deliciousness even further, I decided to warm one up per the package instructions and popped it in the microwave for about 20 seconds. I can confirm that they’re even better warmed up. If you’re really looking to gild the lily, I recommend topping them with a hefty scoop of Trader Joe’s Salted Maple Ice Cream. Grandma Justine would certainly approve.
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Read More: The Best Pecan Pie
