Why Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake Always Earns Praise From Shoppers

Trader Joe's is beloved for a whole host of unique snacks, spreads, and frozen meals. But, famously, nothing is more anticipated than its autumnal lineup. And the one Trader Joe's fall item we simply can't pass up is the pumpkin spice mini sheet cake. Not only is it a seasonal, pumpkin spice upgrade to Trader Joe's already popular mini sheet cake, but it's quickly become one of our favorite pumpkin products of all time. We're far from the only fans either. Trader Joe's pumpkin spice sheet cake has shoppers routinely singing its praises on Reddit. 

The sheet cake is made with pumpkin puree, all of the typical pumpkin spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and finished off with a generous slathering of cream cheese icing. Since its debut, customers, like this Redditor, gush that it's absolutely "phenomenal. It is the perfect texture and tastes so good, and the frosting is perfect (although honestly it doesn't need it!)" One Reddit user suggested the cake tasted like "a cross between a pumpkin loaf and gingerbread loaf," which honestly sounds amazing. 

Of course, a pumpkin loaf lacks that decadently sweet and smooth cream cheese icing to complement the earthy pumpkin puree and warming spices. This is especially welcome since, as another commenter pointed out, "It has a very heavy and intense spice load to me, which I love." Redditors also widely compliment its moist and supple cake crumb.

While you might want a full sized sheet cake to feed a crowd, the pumpkin spice sheet cake and all of its contemporaries are only sold as minis. However, you could use this to your advantage by buying a wide variety to suit all different kinds of tastes. For a Halloween-themed fall party, buy a couple of pumpkin pie sheet cakes and some gluten-free yellow cake mini sheet cakes with chocolate frosting for a black and orange color scheme — the Trader Joe's gluten-free sheet cake also has customers swooning over it. Pumpkin spice lovers can pair the pumpkin spice mini sheet cakes with a scoop of Trader Joe's pumpkin ice cream while salted maple ice cream is another dessert worth buying at Trader Joe's that would complement and stand up to the spice in the pumpkin spice sheet cake. 

Or, balance it with savory fall-themed appetizers like frozen pumpkin samosas or squash pastry bites, which were among our favorite products from Trader Joe's 2024 fall lineup. Since they're taking care of the dessert, you can make a homemade dish for a fall-themed dinner party like this rich and cheesy pumpkin ravioli with almonds, or this warming pumpkin gnocchi soup. Of course, you can always keep the mini sheet cake for yourself. It's the perfect midday snack to enjoy with one of Trader Joe's many great coffee blends.