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Kirkland Flour and Beyond: 23 Of The Best Costco Baking Supplies

Leave a Comment / Costco & Kirkland Product Reviews / By Kristen

In the world of baking, finding high-quality ingredients and supplies can make all the difference in your culinary creations. Our beloved warehouse retailer has become a go-to destination for home bakers and professional pastry chefs, thanks to a wide selection of top-tier Costco baking supplies and pantry essentials.

From the finest almond flour and rich vanilla extract to essential items like baking soda, sugar, powdered sugar, and brown sugar, this retail giant offers a treasure trove of options for every baking need.

So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding baker, join us as we explore 23 exceptional Costco Baking Items, uncovering not just the staples but also the hidden gems that will take your confections to the next level.

23 Costco Baking Supplies To Save Money

These pantry staples easily rival name brands, and the prices are excellent compared to grocery stores.

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Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Costco Baking Supplies - Kirkland Chcoolate Chips

Chocolate chip cookie fans were concerned when Costco discontinued the Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chips, but alas, they were replaced by Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. According to lore, the namesake Toll House Inn created the first chocolate chip cookie, so it’s a reasonable substitute for the beloved store brand. We love the taste of these!

There are six ingredients in these chocolate morsels: SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, COCOA BUTTER, MILKFAT, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVORS. The percentage of cocoa isn’t listed on the package, so we reached out to Nestle, and they indicated that the exact amount isn’t divulged due to proprietary reasons, but it is in the 40s. The standard percentage of cocoa in semi-sweet chocolate is between 35% and 65%.

The Costco price for 72 ounces of Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels is .99. This is an excellent price, as our local grocery store had a 21-ounce bag for .99.

Costco Vanilla Extract

One of the easiest flavor boosters for recipes is vanilla extract. Even in small amounts, it packs a flavorful punch. Unfortunately, this liquid is very expensive due to the delicate nature of the plants, which flourish only in tropical environments. These factors and others feed into large price fluctuations.

Enter Costco with another affordable product that rivals its competitors: Pure Vanilla Extract. At .99 for 16 ounces, it’s ⅕ of the price of the popular brand, Nielsen-Massey which retails for .99.

Costco Vanilla Extract is one of the best deals in the warehouse.

Costco Pure Vanilla Extract Ingredients: Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Alcohol (35%).

The amount of alcohol in Costco Vanilla Extract is the minimum required by the United States FDA to be considered pure. The higher the amount, the stronger the flavor. It’s the same amount as the popular Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon version.

We aren’t sure why it’s so cheap, as Costco is very tight-lipped about suppliers. But it is good quality. When taste tested, the Nielsen Massey had a slight edge on flavor.

Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste

The warehouse used to sell Nielsen Massey Vanilla Extract, but now it exclusively carries the Kirkland Signature variety in-house. The brand hasn’t disappeared from the shelves, though. Costco carries Nielsen Massey Vanilla Bean Paste.

This product isn’t the same as extract, even though it’s a 1:1 substitution. Paste has the same ingredients as extract, plus added pods and seeds. These specks add flavor and color to baked goods. If you want a more robust vanilla flavor and don’t mind dots of vanilla throughout your finished product, the paste is for you.

Nielsen Massey Vanilla Bean Paste contains Cane Sugar, Water, Madagascar Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Bean Seeds, and Gum Tragacanth (a natural thickener) and sells for .99 for 10 ounces, which is cheaper than a four-ounce bottle on Amazon.

Costco Flour

So many recipes, from cookies to cakes and pies, include flour, and home bakers go through packages quickly. Enter our favorite retailer that specializes in bulk. Costco sells several types of flour:

Ardent Mills All Purpose Flour, .79 for 25 pounds (cheaper than last year).
Kirkland Signature Organic Unbleached All Purpose Flour, .49 for 20 pounds.
Kirkland Signature Almond Flour, .99 for 3 pounds
King Arthur Flour Bread Flour, .99 for 10 pounds

If properly stored, Costco flour packages last three to eight months.

No matter what you make, there’s a Costco flour for you. The differences are simple: all-purpose flour, or plain or white flour, contains about 75 percent wheat grain and is commonly used in cake, pastry, and biscuit recipes. Organic all-purpose flour is the same but pesticide-free and less processed. Bread flour is made from hard wheat and usually contains 12%—14% protein. More protein produces more gluten, which aids in the overall texture.

Kirkland Signature Almond Flour is an excellent option if you are avoiding grains. A ¼ cup serving contains 3 milligrams of Vitamin E, 70 milligrams of calcium, 177 milligrams of potassium, 3 grams of fiber, and 180 calories. All this from the only ingredient, blanched almonds. It’s a 1:1 ratio to substitute for all-purpose flour, but it may need an additional egg to help bind. Try it in Minimalist Baker’s One-Bowl Vanilla Cake or these Almond Flour Cookies from Well Plated By Erin.

Costco Sugar

No list of baking essentials from Costco would be complete without sugar, and the warehouse has some excellent options for all types, including the standard white variety.

Costco sugar options include:

United Sugars Extra Fine Granulated Sugar .89 for 10 pounds
Imperial Sugar Pure Cane Sugar .49 for 25 pounds
Kirkland Signature Organic Cane Sugar .99 for 10 pounds (cheaper than 2023)

The difference between the two is the size of the crystals. Extra fine sugar (superfine sugar) is heavily ground, creating smaller crystals that dissolve quickly. This sugar is excellent for meringues, egg foams, and simple syrups. Imperial Sugar’s Pure Cane is the granulated version in most homes and is ideal for general baking use.

If organic is essential, there’s Kirkland Signature Organic Cane Sugar. The crystals have a light brown hue and are less processed than other types. It’s also vegan, kosher, and Halal.

The ingredient lists for Costco sugar are simple: just one item: sugar. If adequately stored, sugar lasts for three years. These large packages have a long shelf life, and the prices are excellent compared to grocery stores.

Costco Brown Sugar

One of the best baking supplies at the warehouse is Costco’s organic brown sugar. This darker-hued staple is similar to the white version but with an extra hint of flavor. The molasses helps baked goods retain moisture, and it’s excellent in marinades and baked goods.

Organic on the label means it’s from organic cane sugar and never refined. It contains one ingredient: Organic Brown Sugar. At .69 for 7.5 pounds, it’s one of the best deals in the warehouse. The price breaks down to 7 cents an ounce which is half the price of other brands of organic brown sugars in local grocery stores.

Costco Pecans

If you want a pecan pie to complement the Costco Pumpkin Pie on your Thanksgiving table, you need a lot of nuts! Enter Costco Pecans. Determining if Kirkland Signature Pecans are raw or cooked may be tricky, but most pecans you purchase in stores are roasted.

Costco Pecans have no additives and retail for .99 for two pounds

As for their nutrition, a one-quarter cup serving provides 2 grams of fiber and 116mg of potassium. On the downside, they are high in fat, with that same serving size containing 20 grams.

Costco Vegetable Oil and Canola Oil

If a moist cake is what you are seeking, you want a recipe that includes oil. Costco vegetable oil or canola oil is an excellent addition to your pantry. Both have high smoke points and a neutral taste, making them ideal for cooking and baking. The main difference is where the oil comes from. Vegetable oil is a blend, while canola oil is from one source.

Costco Vegetable Oil contains soybean oil, while canola oil is exactly what’s stated on the label. Both retail for .99 for two three-quart containers, which is two dollars cheaper than last year’s lowest price.

Costco Baking Soda

Baking soda helps baked goods rise. Check Costco if you seek one of the cheapest places to buy baking soda in bulk. The warehouse sells a famous American brand, Arm and Hammer.

Costco Baking Soda contains 100% Sodium Bicarbonate and retails for .99 for 13.5 pounds. Costco Baking Soda has a three-year shelf life. Since the product is shelf-stable for so long and has uses beyond baking, it’s an excellent deal.

Costco Butter

With rising dairy prices, Costco butter is an ideal place to buy butter, with endless endless options. We go into more detail in our Costco Butter Review, but here are the options:

Kirkland Salted Butter: Contains Cream (Milk, Salt) .29 for four pounds
Kirkland Unsalted Butter: Contains Cream (Milk), Natural Flavorings .29 for four pounds
Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter Ingredients: Pasteurized Cream (Milk), Salt .99 for two pounds
Kerrygold Salted Butter: Pasteurized Cream, Salt .49 for two pounds
Kerrygold Unsalted Butter: Pasteurized Cream, Skimmed Milk, Cultures

Unsalted butter often has added ingredients since salt adds flavor and helps with preservation. No matter which version you pick, prices can’t be beat!

Costco Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, is a finely ground sugar with a powdery texture. It is commonly used in baking and confectionery to sweeten and decorate various desserts, including cakes, cookies, and pastries. One of its main benefits is its ability to dissolve quickly, providing a smooth and uniform sweetness to various recipes while also serving as an ideal dusting for a polished finishing touch on baked goods. Costco Powdered Sugar was milled ten times to get a super fine texture.

US Sugar Powdered Sugar is made by grinding granulated sugar with cornstarch to a grain size between 6X and Fondant sugar. The cornstarch prevents caking and increases shelf life. The warehouse sells seven pounds of powdered sugar for .49.

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About The Author

Kristen

Costco is so much more than its famed rotisserie chicken. I teach people about Costco meal prep, Costco dinner ideas, and which are the best Kirkland Signature Products. We have been featured in Business Insider, House Beautiful, AARP, Go Banking Rates, and more publications.

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