One Of The Best Dessert Finds At Costco For Around $20 Comes From A Popular Name Brand

Costco is among the top choices for shoppers looking for large quantities and great deals. This includes those seeking the perfect sweet treat to end a meal or provide a satisfying snack any time. However, one of the best options isn't in the chain's beloved bakery or even in the spacious freezer section. It's Ghirardelli's Triple Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix, which comes in a six-pack that earns a spot among best Costco foods under $20.

In our ranking of popular brownie mixes, Ghirardelli was praised as the best of the boxed varieties, a format famous for its simplicity and superior results. In this case, the few additional ingredients needed include a third of a cup each of water and vegetable oil and a single egg. These combine with a chocolate base made from a combination of bittersweet, semisweet, and milk chocolate, which provide a well-rounded and complex flavor, and makes enough batter for an 8-inch by 8-inch, 9-inch by 9-inch, or 11-inch by 7-inch pan. 

Although the triple chocolate version isn't commonly available in single boxes, Ghirardelli's double chocolate version sells for $4 to $5 at Walmart, which is more expensive than the $3.33 per bag at Costco. Outside of Costco, six packs of the triple chocolate version sell for $32.87, or $5.48 per bag, which is a substantial increase. At Costco's price and quantity, assuming nine to 12 brownies per batch depending on size, that's 54 to 72 brownies in total, or about 28 to 37 cents each for well-reviewed, brand-name brownies.

Ghirardelli's Triple Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix gets plenty of positivity from buyers, too. The mix earned 4.9 stars out of 5 from over 1,700 Costco buyers. Recent reviews praised it with one customer saying, "The Ghirardelli chocolate brownies are the best! They are so chocolatey and delicious." Another fan said, "Ghirardelli brownie mixes are the best that you can buy. Great texture and rich chocolate taste." One customer declared, "Outstanding mix. I get compliments every time I make them!"

Other sub-$20 finds may also appeal to Costco shoppers with a sweet tooth. These include a 48-pack of Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut candies for under $17 or Nature's Bakery Fig Bars, which sell for $19.99 for 40. There are also plenty of tasty and affordable ready-made options among Costco's popular bakery items for those who can't spare the time for boxed mixes.

To be sure, even beginner cooks can whip up basic homemade brownies from scratch with a few common ingredients. However, those with a Costco card should keep an eye out for this attractive deal and dozens of other delicious desserts for less than $20.