The great supermarket caper: Why shoppers are launching a nationwide hunt for a missing favourite

There’s nothing quite like the panic that sets in when a favourite supermarket treat suddenly disappears. Across Australia, devoted shoppers are realising one beloved biscuit has quietly vanished from shelves—and they’re not taking it lying down.

What began as one man’s desperate search for his weekly sweet fix has snowballed into a nationwide hunt worthy of Sherlock Holmes. The mystery? The sudden disappearance of a popular chocolate-dipped variety once found in Coles stores.

The case of the missing biscuits

According to shoppers, the missing biscuits—Coles Ultimate 40% Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Dipped—were known for being ‘decadently crunchy, buttery, and packed with real chocolate chips’ and had gained a reputation as the only in-store cookie boasting an impressive 40 per cent chocolate content.

One regular customer shared that he’d gone to pick up his weekly packet, only to find an empty shelf where they should have been. After asking a staff member for help, he was told they’d been discontinued.

Taking to an online forum, he asked: ‘Are they gone forever? Someone direct me to cookies anonymous. Is there any hope for my first-world problem?’

That post quickly drew hundreds of replies from fellow biscuit lovers, sparking what one commenter called ‘a national tragedy in the making’.

The emotional toll of biscuit heartbreak

The reaction from fans has been one of genuine disappointment. One woman said the news caused ‘uproar’ in her household, admitting her husband was ‘really upset about it’.

Another customer confessed, ‘My heart sank when I saw they were 'currently unavailable' on the app. Why, WHY?’

Others chimed in with their own heartbreak: ‘This is why I couldn’t find them! Noooo!’ wrote one user, while another added, ‘They were so addictive.’

Perhaps the most touching response came from a new mother who wrote, ‘Oh no, these were an epic sweet treat postpartum. My husband’s gonna be devastated.’

Award-winning favourites

The passion for these biscuits makes sense given their pedigree. Coles had taken its famous Ultimate Chocolate Chip recipe ‘and made it even more indulgent,’ according to its description.

The plot thickens: availability confusion

Here’s where the story gets puzzling. While some customers say staff confirmed the chocolate-dipped version had been discontinued, Coles’ online store still lists the product as ‘currently unavailable’.

This inconsistency has left shoppers wondering whether it’s truly gone for good or simply out of stock.

Meanwhile, other Ultimate varieties remain available, including the Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie ($6 per pack) and gluten-free options promising ‘decadent, generous ingredients and extreme deliciousness’.

The great alternatives hunt

Resourceful shoppers have already started searching for replacements. Many say the gluten-free version—priced around $7.70—tastes just as good as the original.

One parent described it as ‘one of the best GF biscuits I’ve ever tasted’, while another said their child ‘loves them’.

‘I’ll be devastated if they’re ever discontinued,’ one shopper added. ‘It’s hard enough to find good packaged gluten-free snacks.’

Budget-savvy biscuit fans, meanwhile, are turning to ALDI’s Belmont Biscuit Co. Signature 40% Chocolate Chip Cookies ($4.99 per pack). ‘The ALDI version is excellent,’ said one commenter.

A Tasmanian shopper even admitted, ‘Whenever I fly to Melbourne, I always bring at least ten packs back from ALDI.’

Coles’ gluten-free biscuits are now taking centre stage as shoppers search for alternatives. Image Source: Coles.

The bigger picture: when favourites disappear

This ‘cookie crisis’ highlights a familiar frustration—when supermarket favourites vanish without warning. Unlike branded items that make headlines when discontinued, own-brand products often disappear quietly, leaving loyal customers bewildered.

Some fans even joked about starting ‘Cookies Anonymous’ support groups, while others called on Coles to reconsider. The reactions show just how deeply small treats can weave into daily routines and family life.

The search continues

For now, the fate of the chocolate-dipped biscuit remains uncertain. Conflicting reports suggest it could be a temporary supply issue rather than a permanent farewell.

In the meantime, fans are adapting—trying gluten-free versions, stocking up on regular Ultimate biscuits, and even making special trips to ALDI for alternatives.

If there’s one silver lining, it’s that many have discovered new favourites they might never have tried otherwise.

Whether these chocolate-dipped biscuits make a triumphant comeback or remain a fond memory, one thing’s certain: Australians take their biscuits seriously, and when a favourite disappears, they’ll move heaven and earth to find a replacement.

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Key Takeaways

• A popular Coles chocolate-dipped biscuit has quietly disappeared from stores, with some staff suggesting it’s been discontinued.
• Customers have flooded online forums with frustration, sharing quotes like ‘Are they gone forever?’ and ‘My heart sank when I saw they were unavailable.’
• The gluten-free version remains available online for around $7.70, with shoppers saying it tastes identical to the original.
• ALDI’s Belmont 40% Chocolate Chip Cookies have emerged as a top budget alternative at $4.99 per pack.

Have you noticed one of your favourite supermarket products quietly vanish from shelves? Or found an even better alternative by accident? Share your discoveries in the comments below—your fellow shoppers might thank you for the tip!