Trader Joe’s Releases New Hold the Dairy! Vegan Ice Cream Cones

Trader Joe’s just unveiled another ice cream treat to add to the retailer's rapidly growing dairy-free dessert selection. The Hold the Dairy! Mini Coconut Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Cone gives Trader Joe’s customers a completely dairy-free version of the store’s popular Hold the Cone ice creams. The new vegan dessert uses coconut milk instead of dairy to replicate the creamy texture of the famed ice cream treat. The cones are currently offered in just chocolate, coating the inside of the cone with a plant-based chocolate layer.

The new cold treat arrives just in time to close out summer. The company describes the ice cream to have everything shoppers want from the original, but just without the dairy, saying “the cone is crunchy, the dessert is creamy, and the whole vegan mini-cone experience is a big deal...especially when you’re eating dairy-free.”

The grocery store chain continues to bolster its vegan ice cream selections, becoming one of the top providers of dairy-free desserts nationwide. Some of the most recent additions to the dairy-free lines include the Vanilla Non-Dairy Dessert that uses almond beverage as its base, the soy-based Cherry Chocolate Chip ice cream, its pint of Cold Brew Coffee, and Boba Coconut Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert.

Last December, the company debuted its Non-Dairy Mint & Chip Bon Bons. After an extremely positive consumer response, Trader Joe’s followed this product with the Cookies & Creme Vanilla Bean Bon Bons, giving Trader Joe’s customers another vegan treat.

Trader Joe’s also released its Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Chocolate Fudge Oat Bars earlier this summer, mirroring the classic fudgesicle in taste and texture. The non-dairy alternative uses oat milk and semisweet chocolate to produce the perfect plant-based dessert option. The dessert section - and especially the summer dessert section - is becoming the most expansive for shoppers nationwide, showcasing the company’s dedication to cater to its plant-based customers.

The company’s vegan push extends outside of the dessert aisle as Trader Joe’s has rapidly released several products that bring familiar favorites to plant-based tables. Earlier this year, the company revealed a Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce with its very own alternative protein. Alongside the sauce, Trader Joe’s rollout out a Vegan Enchilada Casserole using a dairy-free cheese developed by the grocery chain. The store executives are accelerating its plant-based development in every category, but more specifically, with plans to tackle vegan seafood.

“I’m looking to do more work on the seafood side,” Trader Joe’s Manager of Deli, Frozen Meat, Seafood, Meatless, and Fresh Beverages Amy Gaston-Morales said. “We don’t have options yet within our stores for a plant-based seafood product but there are crab cakes out on the market or scallops or tuna replacements.”

As the company continues to develop vegan products across all its food categories, shoppers who need to cool off in the summer heat can pick up the new Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Cones at stores across the US. The vegan Hold the Dairy cones can be purchased for $3.99 for 12 mini cones.

Califia Farms Almond Creamer is made with real almonds and coconut cream to give a rich, full-flavored texture and has 2 grams of added sugar. The consistency is so thick it’s more like a heavy cream rather than a creamer substitute. Regardless, it froths up well and is very creamy. The almond taste is noticeable but the creamer isn’t bitter or grainy. You don’t need to use a lot of it; a little goes a long way!

Silk Original Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer has only 1 gram of added sugar, but sadly it does not froth up well when I heated it due to a thinner, more watery consistency. It didn't combine well with coffee, no matter how much was added. Because of the underwhelming flavor, this was my least favorite.

This Natural Bliss Coconut Milk Creamer/Sweet Cream is the best one I’ve found for both frothing and taste, especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half-and-half. It’s creamy and has a hint of coconut, but no overwhelming coconut flavor. Note: it is made with pea protein, unlike the other ones, which is probably why it’s thicker. Always check ingredients if you have food allergies because unexpected ingredients such as peas can be hiding in the product, and you would never know by the taste.

So Delicious has been marketing dairy-free frozen desserts, yogurt alternatives, and smooth plant-based beverages for over 30 years. Besides the coconut milk, they also have “Original,” “Snickerdoodle.” “Caramel” and “Creamy Vanilla” flavors. I only sampled the coconut milk flavor. This is the only one in this taste test with 0 grams of added sugar. It has a very rich coconut taste and froths up nicely in coffee like milk. It’s not as thick as some of the others but is a good alternative to ultra-sweet creamers if you want to be careful about your sugar intake. The coconut flavor is powerful but not overwhelming.

Natural Bliss Oat Milk Creamer, Vanilla Natural Flavor, with 4 grams added sugar is similar to Coffee Mate’s Coconut creamer but without the coconut flavor. It’s super-rich and creamy with a hint of oat flavor but not bitter at all. My new favorite! This is the best one I’ve found for frothing and taste especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half and half. It’s like the real thing as it’s creamy, fluffy and not grainy. Remember to shake it up before putting in your frother. Use a little and be happy with your non-dairy latte!

The Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition contains 4 grams of sugar but its full-flavored taste makes it a rich choice. It doesn’t market itself as a creamer but it does advertise as the choice for the barista community. It’s slightly less frothy than real milk when mixed but the flavor is pleasant, not bitter, and I would choose it again.

Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer, the Vanilla One has 4 grams of added sugar and is also at the top of my list. While it’s sweet, it’s also incredibly rich which means you can use less of it in your coffee. It was thick and creamy when frothed and it adds a fluffy cap to your coffee as lattes make with real cream. Note that pea protein is an added ingredient in this creamer as well. This can rival the real thing but choose this one only if you like a strong vanilla aftertaste!

The Silk Almond Creamer Vanilla boasts that it’s “America’s #1 Almond Creamer. But with 4 grams added sugar you may want to use it sparingly. It did taste sweet and was nice and thick, so someone who likes rich creamers will love it. The vanilla aftertaste was pretty strong. And it's a little too syrupy sweet for my taste.

Nutpods is the closest you'll get to the real thing! Tasters immediately gave this dairy-free creamer a 5 out 5. The texture is smooth and mixes with coffee instantly. Unlike soy creamers, this almond and coconut-based creamer doesn't separate once your done stirring. Nut Pods is the most comparable to half and half in the whole list of creamers!

Forager is cashew milk and coconut cream based that mixes for a unique and flavorful taste. The consistency was on the thinner side, and if you're a heavy cream or half-and-half devotee this is probably not the creamer for you, although those who like a lighter flavor will enjoy it.

This creamer is rich, round and doesn't taste too overtly of coconut. You only need a splash to achieve a nice, creamy effect in your coffee, and there's no watered-down consistency, so if you swear by heavy cream or half & half, give this Trader Joe's option a try! At only $1.69 per carton, this product is a steal.

The thickest consistency of the bunch, resembling a heavy cream rather than half and half. Malk has only 5 ingredients, making it super clean and healthy! The almond flavor might be overpowering to those who like less flavor in their creamer. Add the Maple Pecan flavor to your coffee for an even sweeter taste.