This Popular but Hard-to-Find French Pastry Just Popped Up at Trader Joe's

Published on March 11, 2026

I’ll never forget the first time I tasted a cannelé. It was on the menu at my favorite Chicago coffee shop and, as a lover of French pastry, I had to try it. I was instantly hooked by the treat’s distinct flavor and texture. For years to follow, I’d look for cannelés anywhere I thought they might be, and was often disappointed when they weren’t on the menu at most bakeries and coffee shops.

Luckily, Trader Joe's just launched cannelés in the frozen aisle of stores nationwide, but for a limited time only.

Trader Joe's Newest French Dessert

This pastry is famously tricky to get right and typically requires a special copper mold, so most bakeries probably just don’t go to all the trouble. Thankfully, however, the fine folks at Trader Joe’s have a few modern tricks up their sleeves.

The new Trader Joe's Cannelés are made using silicone molds instead of the traditional beeswax-lined copper molds, which allows for more cost-effective and efficient production, though the company says their flavor doesn’t suffer as a result. 

“Elegant-looking, striated cylinders that are chewy and caramelized on the outside, yet simultaneously soft and custardy in the middle,” the product description said. “We did opt to pull back on the traditional rum-forward flavor, delivering what we believe is a better balance with the vanilla notes. You’re going to love it!”

How to Enjoy the Trader Joe's Cannelés

With just a little time in the oven, the Trader Joe's Cannelés are ready to go in under 15 minutes. Just place them on a baking sheet, bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, and allow them to cool for 1-2 minutes before enjoying.

Fans of Trader Joe’s have already been getting their hands on the treat, with many customers pointing out on social media that the new cannelés are similar to another variation on the classic pastry that the chain previously sold but has since discontinued. 

One Reddit user said they’re “better than I expected them to be” with a gooey, custard-like center, though they somewhat lack the crispy shell that a fresh cannelé typically has. “I'm so excited to try these!!” another user wrote.

The new Trader Joe’s Cannelés are available now at stores nationwide for $6 for a four-pack—that’s less than $2 each.