'My Prayers Have Been Answered': New Trader Joe's Dessert Has Shoppers Bursting With Anticipation

People with a sweet tooth might want to consider this an emergency: Trader Joe's just launched a new dessert, the Swedish Princess Raspberry Cake, and a lot of people are excited about it. In a thread about TJ's new item, one Reddit user goes so far as to say, "My prayers have been answered."

It seems that much of the excitement for online commenters comes from having seen the Swedish Princess cake on "The Great British Bake Off." It appeared in season 5, episode 6, and was notorious for its difficulty. Meanwhile, others are thrilled because they were already fans of the cake, which is not as widely available as, say, a chocolate cake. A Swedish Princess Cake can run you anywhere from around $50 to $100 in a local bakery, while TJ's limited-time frozen version costs $8. This makes it a more accessible way for shoppers to enjoy the delectable, green-colored pastry.

Aside from its interesting color, the Prinsesstårta, or princess cake, is characterized by its flavor-packed filling, including custard, marzipan (made of sugar, almonds, and egg whites), jam, and whipped cream. The word "princess" is enough to pull people in, but its name isn't just a gimmick to make it sound catchy. The name dates back to 1930s Sweden, when the cake was developed by pastry chef Jenny Åkerström, who dedicated it to three princesses in Sweden, namely, Astrid, Margaretha, and Märtha. The aesthetic charm of the cake embodies the royalty's refined demeanor, befitting the name.

So, the moment of truth: is Trader Joe's Swedish Princess Raspberry Cake worth it? Well, it might depend on who you ask. First off, it doesn't seem to be extremely sweet, and most importantly, it's not dry. Looks-wise, though, it can lack the elegance you can get from an authentic Prinsesstårta, but that's understandable, considering the price. A lot of people online were hesitant to try it because of the marzipan, though we don't see that as a concern, as it's included in the original recipe. Plus, it's an impressive ingredient that creates beautifully decorated cakes. If you're not a fan of the flavor, though, some online foodies said that the marzipan taste was subtle — which is what the princess cake is all about. It should be an airy, spongy cake, with a pleasant creaminess from the whipped cream, a hint of almond flavor from the marzipan, and sweetness from the jam. But overall, it should result in a harmonious, fluffy bite, which TJ's version seems to accomplish.

If you're looking to enjoy the cake, and can't seem to find a bakery near you offering affordable options — or offering one at all — an $8 experiment doesn't sound bad. Plus, it's a product made in Sweden, so while it might not be the best princess cake you can find out there, it's worth a try. Since it's a fresh addition, some people might just be discovering it, but we can imagine that pretty soon, it won't stay a hidden gem in Trader Joe's frozen aisle.