Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissants

November 11, 2007 | Reviewer: Abi

Trader Joe’s Chocolate Croissants Price: $3.99
Serving: 1 croissant, 3oz.
Servings per Package: 4
Calories: 320 per croissant
Fat: 28%, 18g
Cholesterol: 14%, 40mg
Sodium: 11%, 270mg
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 11%, 34g
Fiber: 6%, 1g
Weight Watchers Points: 8 Points

Trader Joe says: A good, flaky, buttery croissant is enough to make the staunchest dieter consider making an exception. Now, consider said croissant with a rich, dark chocolate center. Though the size of the box may lead you to believe that these are but a small luxury, we must warn you. Once proofed (allowed to rise) and baked, these croissants become a generously portioned indulgence.

Abi says: If you are going to be anywhere near a Trader Joe’s at any point this week and you are a lover of chocolate croissants, you absolutely, positively must purchase this item.

Over the years I’ve created a variety of rather poor chocolate croissant substitutes. There were Pillsbury Croissants wrapped around chocolate chips (weirdly buttery, but super easy), the Pepperidge Farm puff pastry with Ghirardelli chocolate (plenty of layers, annoying need for rolling pin, not buttery enough), and the old standby of just wrapping some chocolate in a tortilla, grilling it, and pretending that it is some sort of Mexican delicacy.

Nothing compares to this chocolate croissant, not the fresh ones from Breadline (usually overcooked) or the soggy ones from Heller’s in Mt. Pleasant (plenty of chocolate, but gummy dough) or even the nice but not-so-cheap gems from the Palo Alto Baking Company.

At just a buck a piece, you can enjoy fantastic chocolate croissants ~~made~~ baked in your home. Getting similarly delicious croissants from Williams-Sonoma will cost you $2.66 per croissant and you have to buy a box of 15 and pay for shipping, putting your actual per croissant cost at $3.23. But instead of paying 200% too much, you can fill your home with the delicious scent of fresh-baked pastry from Trader Joe’s, provided you have patience, an oven, and no pest problems.

You see, you’ll need to let these sit out overnight so that they can rise. So if you have ants, mice, or cockroaches, then these are not the frozen treats for you. You’ll need to let these croissants sit out overnight for a good 9 hours. They’re perfect for you late risers because all you have to do is take the risen croissants (already on a baking sheet), pop them in the oven, and 22 minutes later (your time may vary) you’ll have a couple of amazingly delicious breakfast pastries.

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comments

20 Responses to “Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissants”

MaryAnne on November 12th, 2007

This looks way better than my low sugar apple and cinnamon oatmeal I had for breakfast. I have to say though, there is nothing wrong with grilling chocolate chips inside of a tortilla. I started doing on my Foreman Grill after I went to a wrap place that served a tortilla stuffed with chocolate chips, marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs. Amazing.
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[...] Heat Eat Review comments on Trader Joe’s Chocolate Croissants. [...]
Ali Marie on November 12th, 2007

*gasp* Chocolate croissants/pain au chocolat? In the States? That actually taste good? I am sold… but now I have to find a Trader Joe’s all the way over here in TN. I think the nearest ones are in St. Louis or Atlanta. Grew up with one about 20 minutes away in California, too. Why must they torture me so…
bree on November 12th, 2007

ants, mice, or cockroaches…I think if you have such pest you have a bigger problem on your hands than being able to let your dough rise overnight. I’m super excited to try these on sunday moring with my coffee. now I just have to figure out how to fool the boyfriend into thinking they are homeade.

btw thanks for giving the ww points…b’cuz I like to keep track of how bad I am doing on the plan!
Red Icculus on November 15th, 2007

I love your blog!

What, no review of Two-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s?
Mindy on November 26th, 2007

Mmm! I bought a box of these over the weekend, and all I can say is yum! They looked exactly like the one in the picture, and were such a treat! Golden, flaky, rich, and filled with a decadent dark chocolate! These babies would impress the crowd at any brunch!
Linda Ko on December 22nd, 2007

I bought Trader Joe’s Chocolate Croissants for the hell of it and thought, nah, could never be as good as in Paris (I am a big francophile). WOW! They just rocked my world. They will be added to my “must-have” grocery list. Although I’m reminding myself to eat them only once in a while since they are so damned good.
Femeros on January 7th, 2008

I agree with you, and Linda Ko! These croissants are just as good as the ones I had in Paris in October 2007. Amazingly crispy and flaky exterior, yet chewy and moist interior, with an exceptionally delightful dark chocolate log nestled inside. It was heaven on my plate Sunday morning.
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[...] says: Considering how much adore Trader Joe’s Chocolate Croissants and pre-made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, you’d think I’d be all over their [...]
Philippe on August 9th, 2008

It’s just like being in Paris on Sunday Morning and going to the local bakery and buy those wonderful fresh baked chocolate croissants. It’s heaven!
George Franklin on October 13th, 2008

They really are great! re: ants, mice, or cockroaches… Just put them in the cold oven over night to rise and then take them out when you’re ready to preheat the oven in the morning.
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[...] was until last night, on my Friday evening trip to Trader Joe’s, I saw these chocolate croissants staring back at me from the freezer [...]
Pamela Davis on May 29th, 2009

The chocolate crossiants are out of this world wonderful!!! I purchased these in Virginia Beach, I sure wish Roanoke Va had a Trader Joes!! I would do all my buying there. Everything I have purchased from there has been great!!!!
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Martin on December 2nd, 2009

Just got done cooking these in the solar oven.
it came out just right!
Courtney on December 21st, 2009

These are the best Chocolate Crossiants I have had outside of France!
linda on January 9th, 2010

these crossiants are the best i ever had in this country>>…… even if if you go to a so called french bakery in the us, you’ll not find crossiants like these (trader joes)
luanne studeny on January 10th, 2010

I bought these for a girls weekend with my sisters. I did not know they neeed to rise overnight. Set the oven for 200 degrees. Checked at 10 min and 25 minutes. They rose beautifully. Then cooked as recommended. Awesome!
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[...] out this site for a review on Trader Joes’ chocolate croissants: Heat Review-Chocolate Croissants [...]
Mark Anderson on March 18th, 2010

Here’s a tip: if you’re worried about ants, let the chocolate croissant rise in an unheated, switched off oven over night. Remove the croissant from the oven, preheat, and then bake it!