Among the grocery stores across the United States, Trader Joe’s stands out for bringing the autumn season to life like no other. Every aisle has a touch of seasonal whimsy, with treats designed to please every palate. For those seeking something a touch more refined, they even offer a premade flan. It’s a staple in the refrigerated section, and true to fall, they’ve released a pumpkin-spiced version of this dessert to celebrate the season.
Flan is a straightforward and delightful custard dessert that, when prepared well, ranks among life’s true pleasures. The question remains: will this pumpkin twist measure up? We felt it essential to share the inside scoop on this flan, so without delay, let’s weigh the benefits and drawbacks of Trader Joe’s newest autumn indulgence.
Our Thoughts
Pros – In line with a quality flan, these come out beautifully custardy. The creamy, rich egg flavor shines through, and that lush mouthfeel makes the texture pleasant overall. And, much to our surprise, they aren’t overly sweet and don’t taste artificially pumpkin-spiced.
Cons — They aren’t unpleasant to eat, but several aspects fall short of expectations. For instance, the top surface remains tender, while the side that becomes the bottom when unmolded—having had the most exposure to air—turns out rather rubbery. It’s a detail that’s easy to overlook given the unknown production timeline, but with egg-based desserts, drying out a bit after air contact can lead to a firmer, rubbery edge.
One opportunity for improvement that would have been within reach is a more pronounced caramel and pumpkin-spice flavor. The caramel lacked a notable burnt-sugar character and came across more like a simple brown syrup. The pumpkin notes weren’t off-putting; they simply weren’t bold enough to stand out beyond a lightly seasoned custard.
Final Verdict
All things considered, these aren’t gross or unpalatable. Yet they don’t quite justify a strong recommendation due to their notable shortcomings. We wouldn’t go out of our way to buy them again, but we did finish the ones in front of us and didn’t regret doing so.
