Costco brings back fan-favorite Kirkland treat after two-year absence

close video FOX Business Flash top headlines for August 12 Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A fan-favorite Costco baking staple is returning to warehouse shelves after a two-year hiatus, drawing celebrations from shoppers who had been waiting for its comeback. Costco has brought back its Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips after removing the item in July 2024, when rising cocoa costs made it difficult for the warehouse retailer to price the product competitively. The popular chocolate chips are sold under Costco’s Kirkland Signature private label. After their removal, Costco replaced them with a Nestlé Toll House alternative, but some customers said they were unhappy with the switch and refused to buy the Nestlé version. COSTCO ADDS HOT FAN FAVORITE TO FOOD COURT MENU AS SHOPPERS DEBATE TASTE AND VALUE Costco has officially brought back their Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips after removing the item in July 2024. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group / Getty Images) Costco members have recently begun spotting the familiar red bags of Kirkland chocolate chips at warehouses, prompting enthusiastic reactions from shoppers online. "This is the best news! I was just at my warehouse last week and they weren’t in stock, but I just checked the app and they are in stock now!" one person wrote on Reddit. "Saw them at the Milford, CT Costco yesterday. So excited!" another user added. "Yes!!! Bakers rejoice!!!" a third user exclaimed. "Good news for this frequent home baker," a fourth chimed in. COSTCO MAKES PAYMENT CHANGE THAT COULD SPEED UP CHECKOUT FOR MEMBERS The popular chocolate chips were sold through Costco's Kirkland Signature private label. (Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images / Getty Images) One person said the timing was perfect since their last bag was nearly empty. "Oh HELL YEAH! I’ve been a scrooge with my last bag (I refuse to buy Nestlé products) and I’m so psyched for this! Perfect timing too, I was REALLY starting to worry about the end of my current bag," the user wrote. "Yes!!! I ended up having to pay through the nose for Ghirardelli chips last Christmas. Everything else sucks, especially the Nestlé ones," another wrote. The Kirkland chocolate chips can also be purchased online, according to Costco's website. The 4.5-pound red bags are priced from $11.99 to nearly $14, depending on the location, marking an increase from several years ago. One Reddit user shared a photo from 2021 showing the bags priced at $7.99. The Kirkland branded chocolate chips were replaced with a Nestlé Toll House alternative, but some customers were unhappy with the change. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images) Even at the higher price , the Kirkland version remains cheaper than its Nestlé replacement, which is now priced at $16.99 for the same 4.5-pound size. It is unclear whether Costco will phase out the Nestlé bags as Kirkland inventory returns or continue carrying both. The status of the blue Kirkland bags is also unclear. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Costco has not made a public announcement about the return of the Kirkland bags.