The $10 Trader Joe’s Dessert I’m Splurging On for Thanksgiving This Year

The holidays are the most wonderful time of year for doing one of my favorite things: instigating new dessert traditions. When else will I have 12-plus people that are more than willing and able help me eat a whole chocolate Guinness cake? So, ever the holiday dessert contrarian, I was excited to find my new favorite festive sweet to bring to the table: the new (and very seasonal) Trader Joe’s Pistachio Baklava.

I’ll always argue that baklava may be one of the most perfect desserts. I still remember the Ratatouille-esque taste-memory of the first time I made (and ate) baklava. It was for a fifth-grade project and resulted in two things: the highest compliment of all (it rivaled my teacher’s family recipe) and that baklava from scratch is not for the faint of heart.

Luckily, the Trader Joe’s version might be the best I’ve had. Plus, it only needs a quick thaw before you get to bask in the sticky-nutty-flaky glory of this classic pastry.

Twenty-four years after the fact, I am still riding high on the fact that my fifth-grade teacher said my homemade baklava tasted as good as his grandfather’s recipe. That being said, I’ll gladly hang up my apron (and avoid the fussiness of delicate, thinner-than-paper-thin phyllo dough) in favor of this Trader Joe’s frozen find.

Modeled after a Turkish-style baklava (with pistachios in lieu of the walnuts you’d find in a Greek version), TJ’s Pistachio Baklava easily looks like the $20 ones that come fresh out of the pastry case at my favorite Middle Eastern bakery. Much like the homemade version, this Pistachio Baklava features flaky layers of crisp, buttery phyllo dough full of roasted pistachios, all coated in a light and sweet syrup.

It’s one of those desserts that’s more than the sum of its parts, with the caramelized, crackly layers giving way to a doughy, rich and nutty filling. The little dusting of more pistachios on top will more than fool anyone that it’s homemade.

The only thing tricky about preparing the Pistachio Baklava is managing your own patience level. Even still, a relatively quick defrost (6 to 8 hours) in the fridge and 30 minutes on the counter before serving is all that stands between you and this festive dessert. The whole shareable pastry comes in a handy tin (with little “pizza tables” as I call them) to keep it all secure and safe from any smooshing. All that’s left is to place it on your favorite pie plate, serve, and quickly watch it disappear.

Find it in stores: Pistachio Baklava, $9.99 for 16 ounces at Trader Joe’s

What Trader Joe’s dessert are you buying for Thanksgiving this year? Tell us about it in the comments below.