The Single Best Thing to Buy at Costco This December

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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updated May 11, 2022
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As Kitchn’s resident Costco expert, I take pride in scouting the best products and smartest tips to demystify the warehouse shopping experience. I’m a firm believer that everyone benefits from a Costco membership — no matter the size of their household. And my monthly bulk-buy tip holds true whether you’re shopping for two or 10. See, each month, I distill the entire warehouse into the single best buy. The one thing that’s not to be missed. No matter what.

December’s pick does a little double duty. (There’s nothing I love more than finding products that do double duty: Vinegar is the special sauce that turns cucumbers to pickles and polishes windows. A $9 plant stand not only lifts a leafy monstera off the floor, but also makes storing an Instant Pot easy.) My pick comes from the store’s bakery section, and it can help you cross two things off your to-do list.

Credit: Patty Catalano

Kirkland SignaturePeppermint Bark, $9.99 for 22 ounces

Packaged in a clamshell tub, the peppermint bark is broken into shards of various sizes, just as it would be if you made the minty treat at home. The shards make great gifts for neighbors, teachers, and delivery drivers (and nobody has to know it isn’t homemade) and take mere minutes to ready: Simply divide pieces of the Belgian chocolate and peppermint bark among cellophane bags and tie with a festive ribbon.

Once your gifting is checked off your list, you can place the remaining chocolatey chunks (or maybe you had the foresight to buy a second package?) on your holiday cookie platter or a decorative candy bowl for a more seasonal everyday snack. You can also add the broken bits to almost anything you’d garnish with crushed peppermint candies, including this mocha snack cake, these indulgent thumbprint cookies, or even atop a classic cheesecake.

Also, you can snack on these minty pieces all month long, for a nice little pick-me-up. So let’s change this to a triple-duty Costco find!

What are you buying in bulk from Costco this month? Tell us in the comments.

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