The $5 Dessert From Trader Joe’s’ Bakery Customers Call Their “Death Row Meal”

"A couple years ago I heard some dude say that this vanilla bean sheet cake was his "death row meal"," the video starts. "If you've had it, you know why he said that. If you have not, try it."

That TikTok certainly got my attention. And not just because we at Allrecipes have a morbid fascination with "final meals" (looking at you, Tom Hanks and your love of the Tom Cruise coconut cake.) We always want to know what foods make it on people's bucket lists, especially when they're ones we can buy at our local grocery store.

Lately, we've been on the hunt for the best grocery store bakery items, from Walmart's Pumpkin Roll to Publix cakes to Costco...well, pretty much everything from the Kirkland bakery. A new bakery has entered the chat: Trader Joe's. I was previously under the impression that this was one of the sections you should avoid at the store, but evidently there are some exceptions to that rule. Here's the cake that proved me wrong.

Why People Love Trader Joe's Mini Sheet Cakes

The sheet cake from the aforementioned video is the Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean Mini Sheet Cake, which features a "moist, flavorful cake with a smooth vanilla bean buttercream frosting," according to its label. The mini sheet cake has many loyal followers, and even has several Reddit threads dedicated to it.

"Does anyone else think the Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean cake is sent straight from heaven? Probably the best store bought cake I’ve ever had. Possibly the best cake in general," proclaims one Reddit user.

"Trader Joes Chantilly cream vanilla bean cake is how I shall die," says another. I guess this cake really is to die for.

Many commenters on that original video were in agreement, claiming it's the "best thing they carry," at Trader Joe's with one even admitting, "My husband and I will “buy this for the weekend” and then devour it in one sitting." Another commenter echoed the same sentiment, "The best cake ever. My husband and I draw a line in it to make sure we have the same amount."

Two commenters even shared brilliant tips to eat and use the cake. "Put it in the freezer then eat it...It’s fire," suggests one. Another TikTok commenter had a brilliant tip for special occasions: "I buy 3 and stack them for birthdays," "Stack the vanilla bean sheet cake on the dark chocolate ganache sheet cake…next level amazing," recommends another.

And, from my research it sounds like all of the mini sheet cakes from Trader Joe's are equally beloved. The other version available year-round is the Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake, but many, many social media users singled out the seasonal lemon version, which is in TJ's stores in the spring.

Priced at just $4.49, these cakes are a no-brainer to try for your next special occasion—and let's be clear, any weekday or night can count as a special occasion. Just be sure to draw a line in the cake or hide it somewhere secret, or you may just find the whole thing eaten by your housemate in one sitting.