I had resisted blogging about this crisis thinking maybe it would pass and resolve on it’s. But it hasn’t.
Trader Joe’s is TOS (temporarily out of stock) on Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread in my area.
I first discovered this calamity last week on my first grocery shopping trip home after being in Aruba for a month.
Local San Diego store employees told me at that time that this is not a seasonal item and that it’s something they do plan to carry but that they were simply out. Thy thought they would be getting some, “soon”.
Today that changed into what they call TOS. Temporarily Out of Stock, meaning their warehouses cannot get it. Being that Trader Joe’s stores are regionally served, it’s possible that Northern California stores have it or stores in Minneapolis or New Jersey have it, but that’s not going to do me any good today.
Good thing I have a backup jar of it.
And a jar of Dutch cookie butter spread
And my grocery store sells Biscoff spread or you can order Biscoff so it’s not like me and cookie butter are broken up long term, but TJ’s being out of stock with it does put a monkey wrench into a few baking plans I had.
I need to make more no-bake cookies for one thing. The cookies that were made using crushed cookies + cookie butter, because I like cookies with my cookies.
Good thing TJ’s wasn’t out of chocolate today.
I depleted my stash of Baker’s Chocolate yesterday during my baking project and figured I’d try TJ’s chocolate.
I asked the woman who was doing the free sample demo (and I know she can cook because I’ve chatted with her previously) what the chocolate is like and she said very comparable to semi-sweet Baker’s, but smoother and creamier. Sounds like a win to me and at a fraction of the price, ounce for ounce, even better.
I packed up my loot and headed to my car. Gotta love January where it’s almost dark by 5pm. Not.
But I can’t complain because it’s been beautiful in San Diego since we’ve been back from Aruba.
All this nice weather makes me want a Cookie Butter Banana White Chocolate Smoothie
Except now I will be rationing out my cookie butter or using peanut butter in it’s place.
Have you tried Cookie Butter Spread or Biscoff Spread? If you have a TJ’s in your area, is it out of stock at your local store?
Have you experienced any “out of stock” items lately? Or any “discontinued items” you wish you could still find?
Trader Joe’s discontinues things all the time. They stop carrying things that are not popular to make room for new products they hope will be more popular which is how they can keep their prices low, according to articles I’ve read.
Peanut flour was one item they stopped carrying that I know had many bloggers hoarding ground peanuts like it was the Great Depression.
I blogged here about everything from my favorite Balance Bar that I ate almost every day when I was pregnant but is no longer produced to seasonal Victoria’s Secret body sprays I wish were permanent fixtures. Just about the time you fall in love with a product (hair, makeup, and beauty products especially), they stop being made.
Now go hoard some cookie butter spread if you can find it.
averie, i was going to report this to you last week as well… i’m in long island, ny and the tj’s here is also out of stock!! aaack!!! i have like half of a jar left!!!
You’ll love that chocolate, Averie. It def beats Baker’s by a country mile, in my humble opinion.
I have a post on this coming up tomorrow more than likely!
I tried TJ’s cookie butter for the first time last month. The little girl I babysit for put it on a toasted piece of whole wheat bread, added a few candles and called that my birthday cake. It may have been the best birthday cake ever! I am not a fan of gingerbread, but that Cookie Butter stole my tastebuds.
glad it was the best bday cake ever :)
CUTE story!
I bought that addicting cookie butter and I made Speculoos cookies with it. I needed to make something in a big batch so that I could giveaway because I was eating to much if it. I have a jar of Biscoff Spread which I bought at Cost plus, but I like Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter better. The Biscoff Spread has been sitting in my cupboard for a couple of months and hasn’t been touched, but not TJ’s that was gone in a day! I think my store in N. CA has it in stock, I’ll check tomorrow. Would make for a great giveaway, it seems everyone loves the stuff!
I finally purchased Trader Joe’s Cookie Spread this weekend and I am in love!! I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not since I am such a huge fan of peanut butters in general… but YUMMY!!! Thanks so much for making me aware of it!
glad you like it!
after reading all the comments. I am going to TJs to stock up on their baking chocolate. who knew?
That’s such a bummer. I hate it when I have plans to make something and the store is out of a main ingredient. Nothing makes me crave something more than not being able to make it! Hope you can get some soon.
I am actually a huge fan of that Trader Joe’s chocolate. I find the quality to be really good and the chocolate tastes great!
ah what a bummer! I hope they restock it soon for you! Perhaps the demand spun out of control and they couldn’t keep up with production. I recently got a jar of Biscoff spread and it is fantastic! I love it just on a piece of toast. I cannot wait to try that smoothie though! Genius!
Yes, it’s often out of stock here on the East Coast too. Imagine the surprise of the company owners! P.S. I’m from southern CA and am jealous…it snowed here today.
Averie – Checked for Cookie Butter at TJ’s here in Maryland today and they said it was out temporarily due to the massive demand. Said it would definately be back! Can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for the cross-country field report! Good to know it’s not just San Diego and that it’s a huge hit, thus the nationwide shortage :)
I have never tried the cookie butter spread, but I am sure I would be a huge fan. There’s a Trader Joe’s about 40 min. from me, which is too far for regular trips, but occasionally I go when I am in the area. I am going to put cookie butter spread on my list for the next trip!
I just re-introduced Trader Joe’s into my grocery-shopping program. I was there last week and their cookie butter display was #1 – right at the front of the store and #2 – over-flowing. I resisted buying some for baking for my Quality Assurance Guy, but after reading through all of your recipe creations, I may have to cave and try it!
try it and grab a jar while it’s still in stock :)
I’m actually…not..a big “cookie butter” fan. I posted about it a few months ago, because I had always wanted to try it but it didn’t live up to the hype for me. I actually still have almost the whole jar in the pantry still, minus on spoonful. A smoothies sounds like a decent way to use it though!
That’s too bad but I’d try baking with it or cooking with it, like you would cook or bake things with PB.